Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer Research
In 2009, Whitman College entered into a summer research partnership with the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. This paid internship allows two Whitman students each summer to work in a laboratory through the center's intensive, nine-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). Areas include basic sciences, human biology, public health, vaccine and infectious diseases or clinical research.
Apply for the 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Fred Hutch SURP Steering Committee at Whitman College is now soliciting applications from students who will graduate from Whitman College in December 2025 or May 2026. The intern program runs from Monday, June 16, 2025, through Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Students must be able to commit to the entire program.
The stipend for the program is $7,304, with an additional travel allowance of up to $450.
A complete application will include:
From the APPLICANT, the electronic submission of one document containing:
- The seven-page application form.
- A one-page statement of research interests and career goals.
- An updated UNOFFICIAL transcript (courses/grades) to include courses completed in Fall 2024 semester. A download from your MyWhitman page is sufficient. (Note: if you have been on OCS in the fall, you do not need to include grades, but please list courses taken during OCS).
- A list of courses you are enrolled in for Spring 2025.
Names and contact information of TWO POTENTIAL EVALUATORS who can write a letter of support for your application. Evaluators must include at least one Whitman faculty member who has served as a course instructor, advisor or research mentor in the sciences. A research mentor at another institution may serve as a second evaluator. If you are selected, we will contact your evaluators and ask that they submit a letter of evaluation to send to Fred Hutch in mid-January.
All application materials must be submitted to Jim Russo by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
A selection committee of science faculty will evaluate the applications and two students will be selected and notified in late January. We will then forward your application to the FHCRC program directors for placement in a laboratory.
More About Whitman's Partnership with Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Previous recipients have worked on projects ranging from HIV cures and design of universal influenza vaccines, to cancer immunotherapy and T-cell responses in bone marrow/stem cell transplants, targets for novel anticancer therapies, and disparities in cancer treatments. Funding initially came from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and has continued with generous support of alumni and an endowed science research gift.
In addition to completing a mentored research project, interns participate in professional development workshops designed to facilitate preparation of competitive applications to graduate/medical school.
Workshops include:
- Preparing a personal statement, resume and abstract.
- How to successfully apply to graduate or medical school.
- Preparing and presenting a scientific poster.
Interns will also attend weekly research seminars regarding a broad array of scientific topics. The program culminates with a competitive poster session.