Van Andel Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Sciences
Opportunity Description:
Summer internship programs at Van Andel Institute are designed to provide undergraduate college students opportunities to be mentored by professionals in their chosen research field, to become familiar with the use of state-of-the-art scientific equipment and technology, and to learn valuable interpersonal and presentation skills. The goal of these programs is to expose aspiring researchers and clinicians to exciting advances in biomedical sciences that will help define their career paths.
Each year, the Institute hosts 20-25 interns in its laboratories. Summer interns are paired with a scientific investigator and/or their designee for an intense 10-week research experience that provides interns with an understanding of the latest research methods, instruments and testing procedures. At the end of the internship, students give an oral presentation or poster presentation about their experience to the research staff.
The pay range for summer interns is based on a 10-week assignment at 40 hours per week. The pay rate is $15.00 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Undergraduate student applicants from minority serving institutions including historically black colleges & universities, tribal colleges & universities and Hispanic serving institutions, as well as McNair Scholars are strongly encouraged to apply.
For the 2023 summer research internship program, undergraduate college students must have completed at least one year of higher education (equivalent to 24 credit hours) by May 1, 2023, be enrolled in a science-related degree program, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Applicants that will graduated with a bachelor’s degree during the course of the 2023 summer internship program (between April 1, 2023 – September 1, 2023) are ineligible. Applicants are also ineligible if dually enrolled in a high school and undergraduate program, and/or enrolled in a master’s program. Applicants are also ineligible if dually enrolled in a high school and undergraduate program, and/or enrolled in a master’s program.
International students are eligible to apply if they meet the requirements for the program and are legally permitted to work and earn income in the United States. Van Andel Institute does not sponsor visas for interns.
Application Process:
Applications for the 2023 Summer Internship Program will be accepted starting December 1, 2022. The application deadline for the undergraduate 2023 Summer Internship Program is February 1, 2023.
Before you apply, complete the following steps:
- Please review VAI research laboratories to identify your top five labs of interest.
- Prepare a single PDF file including the following three (3) documents as an attachment for your online application:
- A cover letter to introduce why you would like to participate in this summer internship and your career goals.
- A resume that includes your education, research experience, skills, volunteer experience, and publications (if any).
- A current official transcript (Fall 2022) from your college or university. Applicants will be responsible for uploading their college or university transcripts to their online application. Any transcripts received via email or from your institutions transcript delivery service will not be accepted.
- Two (2) current letters of recommendation (due by February 2023): Ask professors, research mentors and/or supervisors to submit letters of recommendation, on institute letterhead, in PDF electronic format to undergrad@vai.edu. Letters of recommendations can be addressed to the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee:
Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee (98001 / VAIGS)
Van Andel Institute Graduate School / Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2518
Then, submit the 2023 application by February 1, 2023. All fields must be populated for the online application to be submitted. After you submit your online application, applicants can upload an updated PDF file with their cover letter, resume and official transcript before the application deadline (February 1, 2023). No updates or changes can be made to directory information or responses to the pre-employment questions.
Selection Process
Completed applications for the 2023 summer internship program will be reviewed by Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee and Van Andel Institute faculty after February 15, 2023. Applicants selected for interviews are generally contacted by mid-March and employment offers are extended by the end of March. If additional summer opportunities become available after this time, waitlisted applications may be considered.
For questions, please email undergrad@vai.edu.