UK scientific research opportunities

See the links below for opportunities in the UK, and consider the following things to look out for:

• Deadlines. Most of the schemes open to applicants in the new year and have closing dates in Spring. Make sure you check individual websites for this year’s deadlines.
• Eligibility. Most of the schemes are for students in the middle year(s) of their degree. First and final year students can’t always apply. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Prior experience. Some schemes specify that applicants should have no previous research experience, whereas others only accept applicants who have already worked on research projects. Check which schemes suit your experience level.
• The type of work you’ll be doing. Some schemes require you to have planned your own research project, while others require you to develop one with a supervisor or to join an established project. Consider what kind of research you’d like to do.
• Who needs to apply. Be aware that some of the schemes require you to have a supervisor who has been a member of the organisation for at least 12 months, and they apply on your behalf.
• Funding and practical details. Most of the schemes are funded but they don’t all organise accommodation for you. Make sure you know what you need to organise well before the start date.

Alzheimer's Society Up to eight weeks of funding for research within the field of dementia. Applications should be made by the prospective supervisor.

Amgen Scholars Program Take part in university research projects, gain hands-on lab experience, and contribute to the advancement of science over 3 months at the University of Cambridge.  

Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Up to ten weeks of funding to enable undergraduates to undertake supervised research projects in the field of animal behaviour.

Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute Interns Opportunity for undergraduate and masters students considering a career in cancer research to find out what it’s like to work in state-of-the-art labs alongside world-class scientists. 

Biochemical Society  Support undergraduate students to carry out a summer lab placement 

Biomedical Society Students are invited to develop a research project with a supervisor who applies on their behalf for six to eight weeks of funding.

The British Lichen Society Offers up to ten weeks funding to gain supervised research experience at a British academic (or other research) institution in any branch of lichenology.

The British Mycological Society offers a number of Undergraduate Student Bursaries to give an experience of research in any branch of mycology. Applications should be made by the prospective supervisor.

British Phycological Society Funds six to eight week, hypothesis-driven projects that promote and further phycology, its applications and dissemination. Applications should be made by the prospective supervisor.

British Society for Cell Biology Summer Studentships Students develop a research project with a supervisor who will apply on their behalf for up to eight weeks of funding.

British Society for Neuroendocrinology Each studentship offers a maximum of eight weeks of funding for students to undertake a summer vacation research project in the host laboratory.

British Society for Plant Pathology Between eight and ten weeks of funding to gain practical experience in a plant pathology laboratory and to assist supervisors to meet some specific research objectives.

Cancer Research UK Internship Scheme Up to 12 weeks long paid, lab-based internships in Cambridge and London, as well as across the organisational departments, including Fundraising, Communications, Technology, Policy and Business Strategy. Typically open to applications October-January.

Child Health Research Studentship Scheme Up to eight weeks long, those studying undergraduate science or medicine can select from one of the academic programmes on offer.

Crick- Calleva Summer Student Programme Nine week summer placement providing hands-on experience on what it's like to work in a lab for undergraduates considering a future in biomedical research.  

Experimental Psychology Society Up to ten weeks funding to allow students to learn first hand about experimental procedures and analyses employed in the host laboratory. Applications should be made by the prospective supervisor.

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation Sainsbury Undergraduate Studentships are awarded to support undergraduate summer projects in plant science. Those who receive studentships are also fast-tracked into consideration for a Sainsbury PhD Studentship.

GSK Summer Placements Up to 8 to 12 weeks, provide an excellent opportunity to gain insights into life and work in a global healthcare company. 

Institute of Cancer Research A six to eight week research project under the supervision of a team based at either the Chelsea or Sutton sites of the Institute of Cancer Research.

ISMB Research Fellowship Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a research group and to get career advice from fellow students and mentors. 

Marine Biological Association of the UK Up to ten weeks of funding. Interested students should contact an MBA Research Fellow working in an area of interest to find out about projects they could potentially undertake in support of the research programme.

Medical Research Council Clinical Science Centre, Imperial College, London An eight-week programme offering intensive laboratory research experience.

MRC Undergraduate Summer Placements Offer undergraduate students from across the UK the opportunity to undertake a research experience placement at the University of Manchester funded through the MRC DTP.

The Nutrition Society Funding for up to eight weeks for students registered on Nutrition or related degree programmes to undertake a period of research in a university, research institute or industrial setting.

Royal Microscopical Society Applications for summer studentships must include a significant microscopy component and should come from a suitable host academic on behalf of a student.

Royal Society of Biology Offers 8-10 week placements to research plant health challenges.

Society for Reproduction and Fertility Up to eight weeks of funding for research projects related to reproduction, fertility and lactation in humans and other animals.

South East Physics Network These 8-week placements are for Physics undergraduate students to gain work experience in either a commercial company or a research institution.

Summer Studentship Programme 4-8 week placement offers undergraduate students the opportunity to learn first-hand about biological and clinical science by working in a cutting-edge research laboratory at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS).

STFC Paid Internship students To gain practical work experience on projects relevant to their intended or current course of study, under the supervision of experts in their chosen field.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP), Imperial College, London Join a research group at Imperial for the summer and gain an insight into research.

Wellcome Trust Funding for six to eight weeks to allow the opportunity to develop a research project with a supervisor over the summer.

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