Q&A on 2025 Summer Programs
Interested in our summer programs? Read this Q&A to learn everything you need to know before applying.
Q: What are the 2025 program dates?
A: Four of our programs – Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR), Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR), Jackson State University (JSU), and the Summer Program for Academic Research in Cancer (SPARC) – all begin on May 19 and end on July 25 in 2025. The Future Scientist Program begins on June 2 and ends on July 25.
Q: What is the application process?
A: Summer Research Program applications will open on Dec 1, 2024. You will be required to complete an online application. Information required includes information about you, your research experience, and short essay questions regarding why you want to participate in the program. The application must be completed fully in one session. If you cannot finish in one session, you will be asked to start again from the beginning.
You must have a letter of recommendation submitted as part of your application. To prepare, please ask your recommender to write the letter in advance and notify them to expect an email request. Recommenders can be anyone of your choosing. Previous applicants have had letters from previous or current teachers (either science teachers or non-science teachers), employers, research mentors, service work supervisors, and clergy persons. We do not recommend using family members for recommenders.
After submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting your recommender’s email address. Once you have submitted the email address, your recommender will receive an email with instructions to upload the letter. Your application will not be complete until the letter is received. Therefore, it is important for you to communicate with this person beforehand.
Your application will be considered complete once you have submitted it, your transcript, and your recommender’s email address. The letter of recommendation must also be submitted by the recommender.
The application for DICR, EPCR, JSU, and SPARC will close on Friday, Jan 31. The application for FSP will close on Friday, Feb. 28. During the evaluation process, you may be asked to participate in a 15-minute Zoom interview with the summer programs team. The team will work with you to determine a convenient time to schedule this interview. Students will be notified of a decision no later than April 1. If more information or a possible interview is needed, you will be notified by the cancer center’s research outreach team via simonedu@iu.edu.
Q: If I’ve been a participant in the past, do I have to apply again?
A: Yes. Please contact simonedu@iu.edu for further information.
Q: What qualities are you looking for in an applicant?
A: The cancer center takes a holistic approach when selecting our interns. While we do consider GPA, transcript, and previous experience, we are looking for individuals who have the passion and desire to learn about cancer research. We value students who are dedicated to learning, work well with others in the lab, and are interested in learning about cancer research as a potential career path.
Q: What is a day in the life of a summer research intern like?
A: As a paid internship, this program is a full-time position and should be considered like a Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. Typical days will involve you working with your mentor to design experiments or conducting supervised research in your mentor’s lab. Social and professional development opportunities are held regularly throughout the course of the program. You can expect multiple meetings, seminars, and/or lunches each week.
Q: How does the mentorship process work over the summer?
A: The program team pairs you with a principal investigator who will be your primary mentor over the summer. Your primary mentor may assign an in-lab mentor that will assist in your research project development. Additionally, you will have support from the program directors, managers, and high school teachers. You will receive mentorship in areas of research and professional development.
Q: What are the expectations for an intern?
A: The program will be held in-person at the cancer center in Indianapolis. Interns are expected to be in attendance and engaged for all program activities, including but not limited to lab-related activities, meetings, seminars, opening/closing banquet. We expect interns to reply to email correspondence, use GroupMe, complete requested paperwork, or any correspondence from the research program team. Computers will not be provided. We are expecting you to have a reliable source of transportation. On-campus housing is limited. We will provide housing on a case-by-case basis. We will provide bus passes for local Indianapolis interns. By the end of the program, participants will be expected to create and present a scientific poster in the cancer center’s summer programs poster session.
Q: What are the different types of research?
A: At the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, our investigators have expertise across every discipline as it applies to basic science, clinical trials, and outreach initiatives. There are opportunities for an intern to conduct research in a basic science laboratory that may use animal or cell culture models to answer a clinically relevant question; or a clinical or translational setting that may work with patients to develop or test interventions; or a bioinformatic science laboratory that analyzes data to understand and interpret basic or clinical studies; or an outreach research environment that studies the behaviors or patterns of patients and ways to effectively educate and provide treatment and care.
Q: How many vacation days can I take?
A: Please do not schedule a family vacation, summer school (AP/online courses), or camp (band etc.), or a summer job that overlaps with the program hours and dates. There will be days off for Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day. Excused absences such as college/university orientation, interviews for academic programs/employment, or health-related issues should be documented in writing to cancer center Summer Research Program leadership, your mentor, and your lab team as appropriate. Extensive absences may result in dismissal from the program or failure to receive a full stipend.
Q: What are the housing options provided?
A: The cancer center provides housing to a portion of accepted students based on need. Housing is a shared apartment-style unit with full appliances. Applicants from outside central Indiana who do not receive and/or need housing support have the option to stay with family or friends who live within 40 miles from the IUI Medical Library (988 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202). The IU housing policy does not allow participants under the age of 18 (at time of program start) to stay in campus housing. The cancer center does not permit participants to stay in unsupervised accommodations such as hotels, VRBOs, or Airbnbs during the duration of the program.
