CURE - Summer Only

The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program is a full-time, paid, rigorous 7-11 week summer research internship for students interested in pursuing a career in scientific research. Through engagement in mentored summer cancer research projects, scientific and professional skills training, and networking and social events, students will acquire scientific knowledge and technical skills and increase their understanding of how to conduct biomedical research.  

Summer 2025 program applications are now open.

Applications Due: February 03, 2025

Program Start Date: May 27, 2025 (college)  |  June 18, 2025 (high school)

 

Program Features

  • Hands-on, Cutting Edge Cancer Research
  • Mentorship from Leading Scientists
  • Summer Stipends
  • Scientific Skills Training
  • Research Seminars
  • Journal Club
  • Social Events
  • Career Exploration
  • Professional Development
  • Abstracts and Presentations
  • Present at and attend conferences
  • Networking

Eligibility and Application


TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST:

  • Be a high school sophomore, junior, or senior or a college freshman, sophomore, or junior
  • Be 16 years old at the start of the program
  • Reside in and/or attend school in Massachusetts and be able to travel to the Longwood Medical Area in Boston five days a week in the summer

APPLICATIONS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FROM APPLICANTS WHO ARE:

*African Americans or Blacks, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

REQUIRED APPLICATION COMPONENTS INCLUDE:

  • Completion of an application form
  • Copy of transcript or report card from most current school and year
  • Current résumé
  • TWO Letter(s) of Recommendation (maximum of three; one of these letters must be from a science or mathematics teacher/professor)

Training Program News and Highlights

  • January 28, 2025 – Announcements

    Register by 02/07/2025 to mentor a CURE student – high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds – in a summer internship from June to August 2025, and foster the next generation of research…

  • December 23, 2024 – Announcements

    The UMass Boston - Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Partnership recently held their annual cancer symposium at the Yawkey Conference Center on November 25.

  • December 17, 2024 – Announcements

    The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) was held this year from November 13-16 in Pittsburgh, PA and was full of achievements for the DF/HCC CURE and DF/HCC-UMB U54 REC student research…

  • October 22, 2024 – Announcements

    In this Community Outreach and Engagement spotlight, Dr. Warner answers three questions about her research on racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities, and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in…

Program Highlights


Research Experience

Each student is paired with a research mentor for a full-time, hands on, authentic research experience. In addition to learning new scientific knowledge and acquiring technical skills, students also experience first hand the process of scientific discovery and observe in real time real world applications of advancements in scientific knowledge. At the end of the summer, students write up their newfound knowledge and scientific work in an abstract and present at our final presentation event.

Professional Development

The CURE program provides a comprehensive orientation program to prepare students for success in professional environments, particularly in the realm of scientific research at our academic hospitals. The summer is also filled with opportunities for social engagement, professional networking, resume building, career exploration, and personal development.

Scientific Knowledge and Skills Training

CURE students have access to a plethora of scientific knowledge and skills training opportunities, including scientific seminars, responsible conduct of research training, and journal clubs to learn to dissect scientific literature.

Networking and Community

Opportunities to expand personal and professional networks are plentiful throughout the summer. Students participate in organized career networking roundtables, conduct informational interviews to explore their personalized academic and career interests, and meet a wide variety of scientific professionals. They are also encouraged to build connections with their peers in the program to develop community through social events and tea building days such as our annual visit to Hale Reservation. They are also connected with our extensive alumni network!