Summer Scholars Research Program

Ten to twelve students will work one-on-one with a Winship physician or lab-based researcher, conduct research in a working lab or clinic setting, attend field trips to places like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention David J. Sencer Museum and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and hear lectures from a variety of specialists in oncology-related careers. Through this exposure and education, we hope to encourage students to pursue cancer research.

All eligible students with an interest in cancer research are encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage applications from students attending Title 1 high schools, those who will be first-generation college students, and individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM.

Thanks to a generous gift from Mrs. Lou Glenn, a long-time advocate for science education and cancer research, we are able to offer stipends of $2,400 to accepted students who complete the six-week program.

The program will run for six weeks from June 9, 2025, through July 18, 2025, with a mandatory orientation day at the start of the program. You will be working a typical schedule (e.g. 9am – 5pm) alongside your team at Winship to advance incredible cancer research. You will be expected to be on site for the duration of the program. If you have a conflict that will prevent you from fulfilling this expectation, then you are not eligible to apply for the program.

Students will present their final projects at a symposium on the last day of the program and are encouraged to invite their families and teachers to attend.

• Work one-on-one with a Winship investigator who will mentor them through a research project.
• Attend lectures given by Winship oncologists and research faculty to gain a better understanding of the breadth of cancer research
• Create life-long friendships with like-minded peers
• Present your research to Winship doctors, researchers, and graduate students

Students must be 16 years old by June 9, 2025, and be rising or graduating high school seniors to be eligible for the program. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to the age and grade requirements.

We're now accepting applications for the 2025 cycle. Applications are due by February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. You can access the Summer Scholars Research Program Application online. To begin an application, you will need to create an account. Make sure that you use an e-mail address that you check regularly.

Here are common questions we receive from applicants to the program:

• How many recommendation letters can I submit?
  Two letters from teachers are required, one of which must be from a STEM teacher (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and a maximum of three recommendation letters can be submitted. Additional letters will NOT be reviewed.
• May I submit an unofficial transcript?
  Yes, applicants may submit an unofficial transcript.
• How will I know if my references submitted my recommendation letters?
  To view the status of your recommendation letters, log on to the Summer Scholars Application and click the "Recommendations" tab. Under the "Status" column next to your reference's name, the status of the recommendation letter will be indicated. Please note that you will not be able to submit your application until both mandatory teacher recommendations are complete.
• How do I resubmit if I need to update my application?
  Do not submit the application until it is fully complete, including the letters of recommendation. Once the application has been submitted, you will not be able to make any updates. You may save your application as you work on completion of the required fields. However, once you click submit, the application cannot be updated. Please make sure ALL fields are in final form before clicking on the submit button.
• When will I hear back about the status of my application?
  You will be notified of your application status via e-mail in March 2025. If this changes, applicants will be notified via email.
• If I am waitlisted, when will I find out if I have been accepted to the program?
  Waitlisted applications will be notified of a change in their application status via e-mail. For more specific information regarding the notification date for the current year, please check the website for updates or contact us via email.
• Can students outside the state of Georgia apply for this program?
  Applicants can be from anywhere in the United States. Please note, however, that we do not offer on-campus housing. Off-campus care and housing for students under 18 are the responsibility of the parent and/or local guardian.
• Are international students (outside of the U.S.A) eligible for the program? 
  Unfortunately, international students are not eligible at this time due to program logistics.
• I am a current college student (freshman/sophomore etc.) with a strong interest in medicine/cancer research. Am I eligible to apply to the program?
  No, only rising or graduating high school seniors, who are 17 years old by the program start date, are eligible to apply for the Winship Summer Scholars Program.
• Can I still apply if I have an obligation (school/exams/etc.) that will prevent me from attending certain days or weeks of the program?
  Students are expected to be at Winship full time Monday through Friday from 9:00AM – 5:00PM for the duration of the program. If you have a conflict that will prevent you from fulfilling this expectation, then you are not eligible to apply for the program.