The dates and duration of the 2025 program will be posted here at the start of December 2024, along with the link to the application form.
The Department of Biostatistics is excited to offer our Vanderbilt Biostatistics Summer Internships for Underrepresented Undergraduates. The goal is to expose underrepresented groups of undergraduate students to biomedical and/or public health research with quantitative methods, and ultimately to increase underrepresented students’ interest in pursuing graduate degrees in biostatistics or data science.
Interns will be directly mentored by experienced researchers as they gain valuable experience in the biostatistics field. They will work on a research project, complete weekly assignments, and deliver a formal oral presentation at the end of the summer program. There will also be opportunities for discussion and training on topics such as writing abstracts, personal statements, and résumés.
The program specifically focuses on students of diverse backgrounds, and in particular students from underrepresented groups. Each intern is paid a stipend of up to $4,500. Housing is not included.
Details from previous summers (including personnel and curriculum) can be viewed on the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohort pages.
Who is eligible?
Undergraduate students who . . .
- are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- are from underrepresented groups.
- Underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and biomedical fields include individuals who identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander.
- These groups also include socioeconomically underserved students and first-generation college students.
- have completed at least one year of their program of study.
Application materials
These items must be included in your submission:
- A statement (500 words maximum) that describes what interests you about this program, your goals for this experience, and how it will help you achieve your professional goals
- A résumé or curriculum vitae
- A letter of good standing from your current institution
- This is a letter indicating that you are currently enrolled at the institution as a student and not on academic probation. Each institution has a specific approach to issuing these letters (for instance, they may be issued by a registrar's office, office of student affairs, or office of academic services). Please check with your institution regarding the appropriate way to obtain this letter.
- Contact information for one reference (we will send them instructions on how to submit their letter of recommendation)
- A transcript from your current institution (an unofficial copy is acceptable)
Additional information
- Due to limitations from our funding sources, positions are available only to US citizens or permanent residents.
- For many research projects, a background in math, statistics, computer science, and programming is an advantage. This, however, is not a requirement. We encourage individuals with backgrounds in the social sciences, healthcare, and other fields to apply.
Program administration
Leena Choi, Professor of Biostatistics and Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Mario Davidson, Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Associate Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Margaret Cullum, Associate Program Manager
Details on this page are subject to change without notice.