How to apply Contact us

Program dates:

June 26 - August 8, 2025

Application dates:

The application portal is now closed. Please check back in the fall for Summer 2026 updates.

 

Kick-start your science career at Roswell Park 

Roswell Park is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Upstate New York. As a free-standing cancer center, we offer a unique internship experience for high school students in the region through our Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) Program. The SURE-CAN program leverages the expertise and innovative research programs of our faculty and benefits from state-of-the-art technologies at our cancer center.

  • As an intern in our SURE-CAN program, you will experience an immersive 6-week curriculum comprised of lectures, group discussions and hands-on ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ lab research.
  • You will be introduced to the fundamentals of cancer sciences including: cancer biology, imaging, genomics and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) methods.
  • You will be exposed to basic statistics, research ethics and rigor-reproducibility in cancer research.
  • You will learn how mathematics, physics, and engineering are integrated with biology in cancer research and allow us to accelerate discoveries and improve outcomes in cancer patients.
  • The core research experience will be complemented by seminars and professional development activities including methods of scientific communication and discussions on careers in cancer sciences.

The SURE-CAN program internship will culminate in a research symposium where the interns will make formal scientific poster presentations of their research rationale, goals, and findings.

This 6-week program will allow you to get a sneak peek into all the career opportunities in the health sciences including cancer research, engineering, information technology, medical imaging, and research administration.

Why choose a research experience at Roswell Park?

A male high school student smiles at the camera in a lab as part of the High School Summer Research Program

Hands-on lab experience

A female high school student writes notes on a board in a Roswell Park lab

Classroom instruction

Poster presentation


Ready to get started?

All high school juniors who are interested in a career in scientific research and are enrolled in school in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus or Chautauqua county are encouraged to apply! 
Applications from high school students enrolled outside of these counties will not be considered.

You must meet all of the following criteria at the time of application:

  • Enrolled in junior year (graduating class of 2027) of high school.
  • This is exclusively a program for high school students who are local residents of Western New York. Students must be resident (permanent address) of, and enrollment in school districts in, the following counties in Western New York: Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua. This is a commuter-based only program, there are no exceptions. Enrollment and residency will be verified.
  • U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident
  • 15 years of age or older at the start of the program on June 26, 2025.

There are no application fees.

Limited funding is available to support subsistence allowances for a select number of applicants to the summer program. These subsistence allowances are awarded based on the qualifications of applicants and eligibility criteria required by our outside funding sources.

The High School Summer Research Experience is scheduled to begin on June 26, 2025, after the Physics and Chemistry Regents Exam.

You must be able to commit full time to our program which runs from June 26, 2025- August 7, 2025. All students are required to attend each day of the program and are required to train for the full day. Schedules are eight hours per day for a total of 40 hours per week. Starting and ending times will be determined by your mentor. 

You will not be allowed to take time off during the work week for family vacations, college visits or other appointments.

Dress code requirements are meant to ensure safety in the laboratories. For research experiences, the dress code is long pants (no shorts, capris, or skirts), closed toe shoes (no sandals), and long hair secured in a ponytail. 

In addition, there are a few days when all interns will be required to wear business attire for formal presentations. This information will be provided in detail to interns accepted into the program.

How to apply

Step 1 - Prepare your personal statement that answers the following questions (limit to 300 words):

  1. What are your educational goals and how do you think this program can help you get there?
  2. How have prior opportunities in science (or lack of access to such opportunities) impacted your path into science?
  3. What would you want your mentor to know about you (personal, work-wise, or anything else you want to share)? 

Step 2 - Review available mentored research experiences above. 

It is highly recommended you print or reference this list when ranking your choice of mentor in the online application. 

Step 3 - Download the Parental Consent form.

Download and have your parent or guardian complete and sign the form. This will be uploaded as part of the application. 

Step 4 - Verify your school registrar and their contact information as they will be contacted to confirm your enrollment and academic performance.

Step 5 - Complete the only application. 

Questions?

For more information about the high school summer research experience at Roswell Park, connect with: Tatiana Shaurova, PhD at Tatiana.Shaurova@RoswellPark.org.

Special thanks program funding support

 The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation 

The Janine Torba Endowment 

The Cullen Foundation