High School and College Undergraduates

Yale Pathways to Science connects local middle and high school students with hands-on STEM opportunities at Yale University. Over 1,900 Scholars are invited to campus year-round for lectures, lab tours, demonstrations, and special events. While the program is open to students in New Haven, West Haven, and Orange public schools, many events are open to all K–12 students.

Visit the program web page.

The Discovery to Cure Summer Internship Program exposes high quality students from both local and international high schools to Yale's laboratories and possibly open their minds to future career opportunities in medicine and biomedical research. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the program is 8 weeks long and is offered to motivated high school students following their junior year.

The Cancer Research Discovery Program (CRDP), managed by Yale Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) Office, is a dynamic, half-day outreach program developed in partnership with local high schools and colleges. The program is designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals by providing meaningful exposure to careers in cancer research and clinical care.

CRDP features diverse speakers across the STEM field, a networking lunch, and interactive laboratory experiences. Participants connect with Yale medical and PhD students while exploring state-of-the-art facilities and gaining firsthand insight into cutting-edge cancer research.

The program is open to high school and college students and can be tailored to meet the needs and interests of different age groups.

Yale Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) has joined forces with Stanford University, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Rochester (parent grant holder), and the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford to launch an inclusive, mentored research and education program for Deaf high school students.

This four-week program empowers students to envision themselves as future STEM leaders dedicated to advancing cancer research and addressing disparities in cancer care. Participants gain hands-on experience in laboratory activities, attend engaging lessons, shadow researchers in the lab, and connect with Deaf scientists and medical professionals from across the country.

Our goal is to inspire the next generation of Deaf students to pursue careers in cancer research and contribute to meaningful change in the fight against cancer.

Each summer the Yale BioMed Amgen Scholars Program brings a group of qualified undergraduates to Yale for eight weeks. The experience is meant to familiarize students with the kind of work they can expect to do in graduate school, provide them with insight into the many steps involved in building a career based on PhD level training, as well as foster a sense of confidence regarding their own abilities and potential.

The focus of the program is primarily on research and on the methods of professional research. Students in the natural sciences learn advanced laboratory methods and conduct PhD level research in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Students in the humanities and social sciences work closely with mentors and have at their disposal the considerable archival resources found in the Yale University libraries.

CRTEC Compass is a monthly career-navigation series coordinated by CRTEC. The series is designed to support trainees as they explore career pathways and plan their next steps within cancer research and education. Led by Dr. Michaela Dinan, these interactive sessions provide a supportive space for trainees to ask questions, seek mentorship, and gain practical guidance. Whether participants are exploring career options, refining professional goals, or unsure where to begin, CRTEC Compass offers structured conversation and meaningful insight.

This is a standing monthly event, held on the third Wednesday of each month, and is open to all trainees, including external trainees. Participants will explore:

• Strategies for mapping potential next steps
• Career pathways within and beyond Yale Cancer Center
• Mentorship opportunities and available resources

The American Cancer Society (ACS) Center for Innovation in Cancer Research Training (CICRT) Post-Baccalaureate (PB) Fellows Program The ACS CICRT Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program is a two-year, mentored cancer research experience at Yale Cancer Center. It is designed to provide recent bachelor’s degree recipients with the research skills, academic preparation, and mentorship needed to become competitive applicants and successful students in highly selective PhD or MD-PhD programs in the biomedical and health sciences.