THE SUMMER INSTITUTE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for the 2026 CYCLE 

Deadline to Apply: Friday, April 3, 2026

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HST’s Summer Institute is a nine-week program designed for outstanding undergraduate students.

Participants gain real-world research experience and explore potential careers in biomedical engineering and science, with emphasis on the field of biomedical optics. Learn how to apply below, or explore the program further.

Who should apply?

The HST Summer Institute is part of Harvard's and MIT's efforts to help facilitate the involvement of talented students in engineering and science research; in particular, underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Students should be a junior or senior undergraduate during the summer program and must also be a United States citizen or have permanent residence status.

At this time, we cannot consider international students or applicants who require visa sponsorship. 

Please be aware that there are limited spaces available, so it's important to apply early. 

How to Apply

We are thrilled to announce that applications for this year's BioOptics Summer Institute are now open! This year's program features PI-sponsored opportunities, offering students the exceptional chance to collaborate directly with Principal Investigators (PIs) and lab mentors on groundbreaking research. 

The program will run from Monday, June 8 to Friday, August 7, 2026. Please note that the dates are subject to change.

Students interested in PI-sponsored opportunities can start the process by contacting potential PIs whose research aligns with their interests. Biographies and contact information for PIs are available here. When reaching out, please include: 

  • Your CV
  • A summary explaining your motivation and interest in joining their lab

After preparing your materials, connecting with a PI, and securing a spot in their lab, please send a copy of your CV and the acceptance email with the PI cc'd to the BioOptics Summer Institute at BioOpticsSummerInstitute [at] partners.org (BioOpticsSummerInstitute[at]partners[dot]org). 

Application Timeline

All materials must be submitted no later than Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5pm EDT, to be considered for the program. Applications submitted after this date may be reviewed until a final decision is made. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the application process or PI-sponsored opportunities, please contact us as BioOpticsSummerInstitute [at] partners.org (BioOpticsSummerInstitute[at]partners[dot]org). 

Please note that the Summer Institute does not offer financial support or housing.

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to an inspiring summer of research and discovery! 

Please submit all application materials electronically to: BioOpticsSummerInstitute [at] partners.org (BioOpticsSummerInstitute[at]partners[dot]org)