2026-2027 CURE-Cancer Program
Discover. Develop. CURE-Cancer
Supported by the American Cancer Society, the year-long (June 2026 - May 2027) Cultivating Undergraduate Research Excellence in Cancer (CURE-Cancer) equips undergraduates across Orange County with critical research skills and professional development to succeed in cancer research careers. The program begins with a paid 10-week summer internship (June 15 - August 21, 2026) paired with an assigned mentor within a UC Irvine lab (in basic, clinical, or population sciences), followed by ongoing mentorship support and activities throughout the academic year.
Individuals interested in science are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Timeline
- December 15, 2025
Online Applications Available - January 14, 2026
Information Session #1 at 4 pm on Zoom - February 6, 2026
Information Session #2 at 12 pm on Zoom - February 27, 2026
Applications are due by 11:59 pm PST - March-April 2026
Applications are reviewed at UCI - March 30 - April 10, 2026
Candidate Interviews - Late April 2026
Candidates notified of program acceptance
Eligibility
- Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with an interest in any STEM discipline currently enrolled at a community college, college, or university in and around Orange County
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above
- Availability to participant full-time in the mentored summer research program (June 15 - August 21, 2026) without concurrent enrollment in summer courses
- Must not receive a bachelor's degree before May 2027
- This program is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA/AB540
- All applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the conditions of employment: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php. The program is not able to sponsor visas for participants.
Program Dates
- Lab Tours: April 20 - May 1, 2026
- Submit Clinical Shadowing Documentation: Due May 4, 2026
- Start Date & Orientation: June 15, 2026
- Paid Summer Internship: June 16 - August 21, 2026
- Career Excellence (CareerX) Meetings (Zoom): September 2026, December 2026, February 2027, April 2027
- Closing Dinner: May 2027
Funding Support
Program Highlights
Hands-On Mentored Summer Research Experience
Clinical Shadowing Opportunities
Engaging Program Activities
IDPs and CareerX Meetings
Guided Tours of Cutting-Edge Cancer Center Facilities
Networking and Social Events
If you have any questions, please email the CRI Team at cri@uci.edu.