Research Internships The journey to a Ph.D. starts far earlier than graduate school. To help undergraduate students prepare for the next steps in their academic careers, Van Andel Institute Graduate School is pleased to offer several outstanding programs.
The journey to a Ph.D. starts far earlier than graduate school. To help students prepare for the next steps in their academic careers, Van Andel Institute Graduate School is pleased to offer several outstanding programs.
For questions, please email [email protected].
Internship Opportunities
Student Research Fellowships 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 this program is to expose aspiring researchers and clinicians to exciting advances in biomedical sciences that will help define their career paths.
Why Intern at VAI?
Summer interns gain a wealth of hands-on research experience during their time in the Institute’s labs. They play key roles in the day-to-day operations of the lab and have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from technicians, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, lab managers and their principal investigator.
Experiments
Interns design and conduct experiments as part of the projects underway in their assigned lab. The experimental approaches and specific techniques vary widely, depending on the lab’s expertise and the demands of their current projects. Approaches range from molecular biology (DNA, RNA and proteins) to cell biology (culturing and characterizing mammalian cells) to structural biology (X-ray analysis of protein crystals) to bioinformatics (making sense of huge volumes of genomic information). Interns are expected to maintain accurate and complete records of their work in lab notebooks, and to comply with appropriate lab safety guidelines.
Weekly meetings
Most labs have weekly meetings at which lab members (including interns) describe and discuss their results. Interns are also encouraged to attend weekly journal clubs during which recent papers from the scientific literature are presented. Van Andel Institute often hosts seminar speakers from other institutions, and each Friday a VAI scientist presents recent work in a Research in Progress talk.
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Van Andel Institute · Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
National Inst for Interdisciplinary Science (NIIST)
Workshops
Several workshops and lunch events are designed specifically for summer interns. These include:
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• Workshops on effective oral communication, on preparing scientific posters and on career pathways
• A lunch with postdoctoral fellows to discuss steps in scientific training and the range of career options
• A workshop on the process of applying to and selecting graduate schools
• A symposium with students presenting their research projects, via a talk or a poster, to Institute scientists.
Social events
Other events encourage team building and social interaction, such as an ice cream social, game night and Friday coffee chats.
Each year, the Institute hosts 30-35 interns (10-week internships) in its laboratories and cores. 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.
Thank you to our sponsors and their generous gifts to support student research fellowships:
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• The Meijer Foundation
• Maas Family Foundation – Hope College
• Van Andel Institute Purple Community – Hope College
• Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Learn more about this program
Van Andel Institute’s High School Graduate Research Program is an eight-week paid summer research experience that introduces recent high school graduates from the Grand Rapids area to cutting-edge biomedical research. This program is open to all academically qualified students.
As part of the program, participants will work full time in the lab alongside professional scientists. They will develop invaluable skills and extend their knowledge of a variety of research-related topics.
Apply now/learn more
Guest Student Program
Van Andel Institute hosts guest students who are seeking academic credit through their college or university. To receive academic credit, students must receive approval from their home institution. The guest student program is an unpaid student research opportunity.
BEFORE APPLYING
Review and complete the individual application for guest students
• Fall Semester (August 2027-December 2027) | Apply by June 1, 2027
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 and guest students.
Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship
Van Andel Institute (VAI) offers a Student Research Fellowship Program designed to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely with a research mentor on a project exploring the cellular, molecular and genetic basis of human disease. The goal of this program is to introduce undergraduate students to the concepts and practice of design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of basic biomedical research.
We expect to support 30-35 internships (10-weeks/40 hours per week), depending on the needs of the Institute’s faculty and core directors/managers. Students are expected to work full-time for the duration of the internship, so participation in this program is not compatible with working at another job. Each experience will be different based on the research question, mentor and status of the project. Work environments include any of the basic science laboratories and core technologies at VAI.
2027 Application Process
The 2027 Student Research Fellowship application process will be begin Dec. 1, 2026 and the deadline to apply will be Feb. 1, 2027.
If you have questions about the Student Research Fellowship or the application process, please email the Student Research Fellowship Committee at [email protected].
Undergraduate students are required to complete their internships in one of two sessions in 2027:
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• Session 1: May 3-July 9
• Session 2: May 17-July 23
As Van Andel Institute is a drug and alcohol-free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen, and it includes testing for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, PCP, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines.
VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration. Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Employer.
Undergraduate college students must be currently enrolled in a science/research-related degree program and maintain a minimum of a 3.00 GPA. Student applicants are required to submit an academic transcript (official or unofficial) with their online application from the undergraduate institution in which they are currently enrolled. Academic transcripts must include all courses and grades, as well as each semester’s cumulative/overall GPA and the academic career’s cumulative/overall GPA. Course summaries from the applicant’s online student university accounts are not acceptable. Applicants who have graduated before the start date of and/or during the Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship (Apr. 1 – Sept. 1) are ineligible. If you are currently enrolled as a high school student, in a master’s degree program, or a Ph.D. program, you are ineligible and cannot apply and/or participate in the Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship.
VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration. Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Employer.
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.
Physical Demands
Assignments may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemicals, hazardous or radioactive materials, or may be in areas where such materials are used. Adherence to safety policies and procedures, along with proper storage and disposal methods, is required.
Orientation
Student interns will be required to complete orientation. Session 1 interns will complete orientation on May 12 and May 13. Session 2 interns will complete orientation on June 2 and June 3.
Final Research Presentations
Student interns will be required to present a final research presentation at the end of their internship. Interns can give their final research presentation either as an oral presentation or a poster presentation, or both. Final research presentations will take place the final week of each session: Session 1 (beginning of July) and Session 2 (mid-July). Final research presentation dates will be provided to candidates/interviewees during the interview process.
Professional Development Events
Student interns will participate in professional development events. Mandatory professional development events include orientation, how-to workshops on oral presentations and poster presentations, intern-led research in progress, networking events with interns from local colleges and universities, and final research presentations. Optional professional developments include a Resume vs. CV workshop and informational luncheons with Van Andel Institute Graduate School and VAI Postdoctoral Fellows.
Social Events
Student interns will have the opportunity to participate in optional social events, including on-site coffee conversations and intern brunches, as well as off-site dinners and recreational events.
2027 Holidays
Student interns are not eligible for holiday pay on the following days:
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• Memorial Day – Monday, May 31, 2027
• Juneteenth – Friday, June 18, 2027
• Independence Day – Monday, July 5, 2027 (observed by VAI)
• Labor Day – Monday, September 6, 2027
Housing
Below are tentative dates for housing at Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, and Aquinas College. Please reach out directly to the Housing/Residence Life for each institution regarding application dates and deadlines.
Grand Valley State University
There are on-campus summer guest student/intern housing options both at the Downtown Campus and the Allendale Campus. From the Downtown Campus to VAI, the commute is 6 minutes by car or 25 minutes on foot (1.2 miles). From the Allendale Campus to VAI, the commute is 25-minutes by car or 35-40 minutes by bus.
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• Housing Application Deadline: The application process begins mid-January and closes when all units are full. Downtown has limited availability, while Allendale has more availability.
• Questions? Contact Housing & Residence Life at [email protected] or at 616.331.2713.
Calvin University
Centrally located in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin University is a quick drive from downtown with easy access to major highways.
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• Housing Application Deadline: The application process begins mid-January and closes when all our units are full.
• Questions? Contact Housing & Residence Life at [email protected] or at 616.526.6120.
Aquinas College
The application process closes when all our units are full.
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• Questions? Contact Housing & Residence Life at [email protected] or at 616.632.2944.
Alternative Housing Options
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• Off-Campus Housing near Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus
• The Locale Apartments are alternative housing options for guest housing.
• Call 855.961.3161 for more information on their housing options.
• Furnished Finder: Monthly Furnished Rentals
Parking and Bike Racks
Student Interns will be offered FREE parking in the Michigan Street Development ramp during their internship. During the orientation process, Physical Security will provide Student Interns with a parking permit for their vehicle. The parking structure is located on Michigan Street, directly north of VAI. Parking in this ramp is contingent upon availability. Additionally, there are bike racks available for your use outside of the main entrance.
Funding to support the salaries and benefits for the Student Research Fellowship is provided by The Meijer Foundation, Hope College/VAI Purple Community Game, and VAI Graduate School:
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• Salary | $16.00 per hour
• Reimbursement for on-demand transportation to and from the home airport (for student interns without vehicles)
• Reimbursement for on-demand transportation to and from Gerald R. Ford International Airport/Grand Rapids (for student interns without vehicles)
• Ground transportation (bus passes are for student interns without vehicles)
• Free covered parking for students with vehicles
Completed applications will be reviewed by the Student Research Fellowship Committee and Van Andel Institute faculty after Feb. 15. 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.
All offers for the Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship positions will be contingent upon the satisfactory results of a Background Investigation and Drug Screen.
Informational Zoom Meetings
Want to learn more about applying for the Student Research Fellowship? Join us for one of our informational Zoom meetings. Registration required.