City of Hope Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy

City of Hope at a Glance

Host

Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope, in Duarte, Los Angeles County, California

Field

Biomedical research: students are matched with a City of Hope laboratory and join ongoing projects; the CIRM TEAMS sub-program focuses on stem cells and regenerative medicine

Grades and age

High school and undergraduate students; applicants must be at least 16 before the internship begins on June 1 and must have completed high school chemistry and biology

Citizenship and residency

US citizens and permanent residents only, with proof of eligibility to work in the US at hiring. The main program recruits nationally; the CIRM TEAMS sub-program is limited to 14 high school students who reside in California.

Cost

Paid internship: the official FAQ says most summer students receive a stipend of $4,500 at the end of the 10-week program. Housing is not provided.

Dates and format

A 10-week, full-time paid research internship; the 2027 program runs June 1 to August 6, and time off will not be approved during this period. Students work in laboratories on the City of Hope campus in Duarte; housing is not provided.

Application dates

The 2027 application opens November 1, 2026 and must be completed by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm Pacific. Review takes two rounds, and there is a waitlist.

Application materials

An online application covering career goals, relevant coursework and experience, and a short statement on why the student wants to do research. Transcripts, recommendation letters and résumés are not required, but the program notes that most students submit them.

Size and selectivity

The official FAQ says the program typically receives 800 to 1,000 applications a year and accepts about 70 students; about 40% of those admitted are undergraduates and 60% high school students, varying by year. No separate admission rate for high school students is published.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · imgs-coh.edu/summer-student-academy/summer-student-academy-program-overview

How to Apply to City of Hope

• Transcripts, recommendations and résumés are optional, but the program notes that most applicants submit them. Upload them, and use a recommendation to show lab skills and work habits.
• The internship runs 10 weeks with no time off approved. If you are applying to other summer programs, check that the dates can fit together.
• High school students who live in California should look at the CIRM TEAMS sub-program, which focuses on stem cells and regenerative medicine and is limited to 14 students.