IICD Summer Research Program for Undergraduates: Frequently Asked Questions

Undergraduate students majoring in mathematics, computer science, statistics, computational biology, data science, biology, etc. are welcome to apply. Students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields are strongly encouraged to apply. 

  • Be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Be an undergraduate in the Fall semester following the program (seniors graduating in the Spring/Summer of the program year cannot apply)
  • Open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors
  • The program is not open to undergraduate students from Columbia/Barnard University.

Previous research experience is not required. Students will be expected to work full-time for the duration of the program, so students cannot be enrolled in classes or work another job. 

Students will perform cutting-edge research at Columbia University. The internship will provide the participants with a unique interdisciplinary research experience, mentoring, professional development, and increased awareness of the intersection of cancer research and mathematical sciences. Read more about the program here.

Housing will NOT be provided. Commuting expenses (travel between home and workplace. e.g.: subway, bus, etc.) will be reimbursed up to $300.

Participants will receive a $8,000 stipend.

Access the application portal on our SRP webpage.

  • Online form to complete
  • One-page CV/resume (should include a description of scientific skills)
  • Unofficial university transcripts
  • Top three choices for mentors
  • Cover letter (1-page max, see details below)
  • Name of two faculty/instructors in STEM who will provide letters of recommendation (see details below). Letters should be submitted by the same deadline as the online application. Applications without letters of recommendation will not be considered.

All documents should be uploaded as pdf files. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email (note that the email can sometimes be filtered as spam).

Applications, including two letters of recommendation, should be submitted no later than February 1st (11:59 PM ET). Applications without letters of recommendation will not be considered.

The cover letter should be 1-page maximum and should include the following:

  • reasons why you are applying to this internship
  • a description of your background (major/minor, relevant coursework, skills/qualifications, etc.) and research experience(s) if any
  • a description of your research interests and a statement about your top 3 mentors you would like to work with for the summer
  • career interest(s)/plans following graduation

Cover letters that do not include the information above will not be considered.

Tips on writing cover letters:

The application requires two letters of recommendation from faculty/instructors in STEM. One of the letters could also be from a graduate student or postdoc who directly supervises you for a research project. It can also come from a high school STEM teacher/instructor. Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well and can address your potential ability to carry out independent research. You should reach out to faculty as early as possible so that they have enough time to write the letter of recommendation. Provide them with as much information as you can, such as:

  • the program you are applying for and related website
  • application deadline
  • your interest in the program and how it fits your career goals
  • list academic/research achievements relevant to the program (e.g.: courses that you took and are relevant to the program theme, skills/qualifications valuable for the program, previous research experiences/internships, other experiences relevant to the program, etc.)
  • etc.

As part of the online application, you will provide the name of two recommenders. Once you submit your application, an automatic email will be sent to them to upload their letter of recommendation to a portal. The automatic email can only be sent once. Once a LOR is submitted on your behalf, you will receive a confirmation email.

Note that the automatic email sent to the recommenders can sometimes be filtered as spam. Please ask your recommenders to check their spam folder for an email titled "Columbia IICD Summer Research Program for Undergraduates - Request for a Letter of Recommendation." If they cannot locate the email, please ask your recommender to contact Lorenza Favrot ([email protected]) using the subject line “IICD Summer Research Program LOR - Name of Applicant” and we will send them a direct link to the portal to submit their LOR.

Letters should be submitted by the same deadline as the online application (see above). Applications without letters of reference will not be considered.

As a suggestion, let your recommenders know once you submitted your application, so that they are on the lookout for the LOR email.

 

Research mentors are researchers affiliated with the IICD. Prior to applying, learn more about the research areas and the researchers' projects:

You will be required to pick your top three choices for mentors as part of the application. In the cover letter, you should include a description of your research interests and a statement about your top 3 mentors you would like to work with for the summer. Every effort will be made to match you with one of your top 3 mentor choices and your preferred type of research, although this is not guaranteed.

Check the Summer Research Program page (section "Application Requirements") for a list of potential mentors for this year's program.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date by a selection committee including potential research mentors, and applicants will be notified of a decision on a rolling basis in March and early April. During the selection process, you may be contacted to schedule a quick phone/zoom call with potential research mentors to assess you more fully prior to a final decision. This contact should not be considered as an offer of acceptance from the program. If accepted, you will receive an official offer letter from the program coordinator.

Students will be expected to work full-time for the duration of the program, so students cannot be enrolled in classes or work another job. Students will carry out a research project with their assigned mentor. Additionally, students will attend weekly events, including scientific seminars, workshops, lab tours, professional development programs,  scientific writing/presentation opportunities, etc. Read more about the program and examples of activities here.

 

The program dates are generally the same for all the interns selected into the program because we have an orientation on the first day, weekly events, and a final poster symposium and oral presentation day at the end of the program. For this reason, it may not be possible to accommodate a late start to the program.

 

Among our cancer research interests are single-cell genomics/imaging, cancer biology, machine learning, computational biology, statistical bioinformatics, data science, statistics and probability, etc. Find more information in the Research Area section.

Every effort will be made to match you with your top 3 mentor choices and your preferred type of research, although this is not guaranteed. You will be notified about your research mentor in the offer letter. Mentors and their summer interns will decide on a research project upon further discussion.

If you have any additional questions, contact Lorenza Favrot ([email protected]) using the subject line “IICD Summer Research Program”.