Broad Institute Summer Research Program 2026: Paid Genomics Research at MIT-Harvard

If you’re an undergraduate student in the United States passionate about genomics, computational biology, or biomedical research, and you want to spend your summer conducting cutting-edge research at one of the world’s premier biomedical institutes—while getting paid well enough to cover living expenses in expensive Cambridge, Massachusetts—the Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) offers exactly that opportunity.

This is not an internship where you shadow researchers or do menial lab tasks. You’ll spend eight weeks embedded in a research group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, working on an actual research project, learning advanced techniques that most undergraduates never touch, analyzing real data that contributes to ongoing scientific investigations, and presenting your findings at a final symposium attended by some of the brightest minds in biomedical research.

The Broad Institute sits at the absolute forefront of genomics and biomedical science. This is where CRISPR gene editing was pioneered, where massive genomic datasets are analyzed to understand disease, where computational biology meets wet-lab experimentation, and where discoveries regularly make headlines in Nature and Science. Working here for a summer means exposure to the highest level of biomedical research and the scientists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

What makes BSRP particularly valuable is the combination of world-class research, exceptional mentorship, and financial support that actually covers the cost of living in one of America’s most expensive cities. You’ll receive a competitive weekly stipend for eight weeks plus a housing allowance to offset Cambridge’s high rent. For many students, this makes it financially possible to spend a summer doing research instead of taking a higher-paying but less relevant job.

The program is highly competitive—think acceptance rates comparable to top PhD programs—but if you have a strong academic record (minimum 3.2 GPA), relevant coursework in biology or related sciences, and demonstrated interest in biomedical research, you should absolutely apply. The experience can be transformative for your career trajectory.

Broad Summer Research Program 2026 at a Glance

What This Program Actually Offers

The Broad Summer Research Program is designed to give you an authentic, intensive research experience at one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. Here’s what that means in practice:

Cutting-Edge Research Projects: You’ll work on real research that’s pushing the boundaries of biomedical science. Depending on your placement, you might be analyzing genomic data from thousands of cancer patients to identify new therapeutic targets, using CRISPR to edit genes and study their function, developing machine learning algorithms to predict disease risk from genetic data, studying how immune cells recognize and attack pathogens, investigating the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders, or working on chemical biology approaches to drug discovery.

The Broad Institute is organized around research programs that tackle major challenges in human health. Your project will be part of one of these larger efforts, which means your work has context and purpose beyond just learning techniques. You’re contributing to science that matters.

Expert Mentorship from World-Class Scientists: Your primary mentor will be a Broad Institute researcher—a faculty member, postdoc, or senior scientist who is actively publishing papers and advancing their field. These aren’t people going through the motions; they’re passionate about their research and genuinely invested in training the next generation of scientists. You’ll have regular meetings with your mentor to discuss your project, troubleshoot problems, interpret results, and learn how to think like a scientist.

You’ll also work closely with graduate students and postdocs in your research group, who provide day-to-day guidance and become valuable mentors. Many BSRP alumni cite these relationships as among the most valuable aspects of the program.

Generous Financial Support: The stipend and housing allowance are designed to make it financially viable to spend your summer doing research in Cambridge, one of the most expensive cities in the United States. While exact amounts aren’t published (they can vary year to year), expect a weekly stipend that, combined with the housing allowance, should cover your living expenses. You won’t get rich, but you won’t go into debt either.

For context, Cambridge summer housing typically costs $1,200-2,000 per month depending on your arrangement. The housing allowance significantly offsets this cost. Combined with the weekly stipend, most participants can cover rent, food, transportation, and basic expenses without needing additional financial support.

Professional Development Programming: Beyond your research project, the program includes weekly seminars and workshops on topics directly relevant to your future career including how to apply to competitive PhD programs and what makes a strong application, what graduate school is really like and how to succeed, career paths in academic research versus industry biotech/pharma, how to read and critically evaluate scientific papers, scientific writing and communication skills, research ethics and responsible conduct of research, and networking strategies for building professional relationships.

These sessions are led by Broad Institute faculty, visiting scientists, and sometimes BSRP alumni who’ve gone on to successful research careers. They provide practical advice you won’t get in undergraduate courses.

Research Symposium: At the end of the eight weeks, you’ll present your research at a final symposium. You’ll prepare a poster or short talk explaining your project, methods, results, and conclusions. You’ll answer questions from other participants, Broad Institute researchers, and program staff. This is excellent preparation for future conference presentations and helps you develop the communication skills that are essential for any research career.

Location in the Heart of Biotech: The Broad Institute is located in Kendall Square, Cambridge—the epicenter of the global biotechnology industry. You’re steps from MIT, a short subway ride from Harvard, and surrounded by biotech companies, startups, and research institutes. The area is buzzing with scientific activity, and you’ll have opportunities to attend seminars, visit other labs, and immerse yourself in the biotech ecosystem.

Network and Community: You’ll be part of a cohort of exceptional undergraduate researchers from across the United States. These are your peers—people who share your passion for science, understand your career aspirations, and will become your professional network as you all move through graduate school and careers. Many BSRP alumni stay in touch for years, collaborate on research, and support each other’s careers.

Who Should Apply to BSRP

This program is designed for undergraduate students who are serious about biomedical research and considering graduate education. You’re a strong candidate if:

You Meet the Basic Requirements: You must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at a four-year institution in the United States. You must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or non-US citizen with employment authorization (valid work permit). You must have a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA. You must be able to commit to the full eight weeks (June 1 - July 31, 2026) with full-time research participation. You must have relevant coursework in biology, chemistry, or related sciences.

You Have Research Experience or Strong Research Potential: While previous research experience isn’t absolutely required, most successful applicants have some exposure to research. This might include undergraduate research projects in faculty labs, summer research programs at your home institution or elsewhere, significant research components in lab courses, independent study projects, or research assistant positions. If you haven’t done formal research, you’ll need to demonstrate strong research potential through your academic performance, relevant coursework, and clear articulation of your research interests.

You’re Genuinely Interested in Biomedical Science: This program is for students who find biological and medical questions fascinating and want to understand how we can use genomics and molecular biology to improve human health. You should be excited about the prospect of spending eight weeks analyzing data, running experiments, and solving research problems—not just viewing it as a resume builder.

You’re Considering Graduate School: The program explicitly targets students who are considering research careers and PhD programs. If you’re certain you want to go to medical school, law school, or straight into industry after your bachelor’s degree, this might not be the best fit. The program aims to prepare future research leaders, whether in academia or industry research roles.

You Have Computational Skills (Helpful but Not Required): Given the Broad Institute’s strong focus on computational biology and genomics, programming experience (Python, R, etc.) or bioinformatics coursework strengthens applications. However, many successful applicants have limited computational background and learn these skills during the program. If you have these skills, highlight them; if not, don’t let that stop you from applying.

You’re an especially strong candidate if you have publications or conference presentations (even as co-author), have won academic awards or competitive scholarships, can articulate specific research questions that interest you, have taken advanced courses beyond basic requirements, have demonstrated leadership in student organizations or research groups, or come from an underrepresented background in STEM.

Insider Tips for a Competitive Application

BSRP is highly selective, receiving hundreds of applications for a limited number of spots. Here’s what actually makes a difference:

Apply Early (But Not Too Early): While the deadline is January 11, you don’t want to rush your application in November. Use December and early January to craft a strong application. However, submitting by late December or early January (rather than waiting until January 10) demonstrates organization and gives your recommenders ample time without last-minute stress.

Research the Broad Institute Thoroughly: Don’t just say you want to do “genomics research.” Look at the Broad’s research programs and areas. Read about their work in cancer genomics, psychiatric genetics, infectious disease, or whatever interests you. Reference specific research areas or even specific faculty in your essays. “I’m particularly interested in the Broad’s work on using single-cell genomics to understand tumor heterogeneity” is much stronger than “I want to do cancer research.”

Highlight Research Experience with Specificity: Don’t just list that you worked in a lab. Explain what you actually did, what you learned, and what you contributed. “I worked in Dr. Smith’s lab studying breast cancer metastasis. I learned cell culture, Western blotting, and qPCR. I designed and conducted experiments testing how different growth factors affect cancer cell migration, analyzed the data using ImageJ and R, and contributed to a manuscript currently under review” tells a compelling story. “Research assistant in cancer biology lab” does not.

Articulate Why BSRP Specifically: The program wants students who are genuinely excited about the opportunity, not just applying to every summer program they can find. Explain what specifically about the Broad Institute and BSRP appeals to you. Is it the computational focus? The collaborative environment? The chance to work at the intersection of genomics and medicine? Be specific and authentic.

Demonstrate Graduate School Interest: The program targets students considering PhD programs. You don’t need to be 100% committed to a PhD, but you should express genuine interest in research careers and graduate education. Explain how BSRP fits into your longer-term goals.

Get Strong Letters of Recommendation: Choose recommenders who know your work well and can speak specifically to your research abilities and potential. A detailed letter from a professor who supervised your undergraduate research is worth far more than a generic letter from a famous professor who barely knows you. Give your recommenders at least 3-4 weeks notice, provide them with your CV and draft essays, and remind them of specific work you did that they might mention.

Write Clearly and Authentically: Your essays should sound like you, not like you’re trying to impress someone with jargon and fancy vocabulary. Write clearly, be specific, tell stories that illustrate your points, and be genuine about your interests and goals. The selection committee reads hundreds of essays—authentic voices stand out.

Proofread Everything: Typos and grammatical errors suggest carelessness. Have someone else read your application materials before you submit. Small mistakes can undermine an otherwise strong application.

Address the Essay Prompts Directly: BSRP typically asks 2-3 short essay questions about your research interests, career goals, and what you hope to gain from the program. Answer the questions that are actually asked, not the questions you wish they’d asked. Be concise and specific.

Application Timeline and Process

Here’s a realistic timeline for applying to BSRP 2026:

November-December 2025: Research and Prepare: Start by thoroughly researching the Broad Institute and BSRP. Look at the research programs, read about recent discoveries, and understand what makes the Broad unique. Identify the two faculty members who will write your letters of recommendation. Reach out to them early (by early December), explain the program, ask if they’re willing to write a strong letter, and provide them with all necessary information.

December 2025: Draft Your Application: Start drafting your essays and updating your CV. Don’t try to write everything in one sitting. Draft, step away, revise, get feedback from mentors or writing center staff, and revise again. Gather your unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities you’ve attended.

Late December 2025-Early January 2026: Finalize and Submit: Complete your online application form, upload your transcripts and CV, finalize your essays until they’re clear and compelling, ensure your recommenders have submitted their letters (send polite reminders if needed), and do a final review of your entire application. Submit by early January, giving yourself a buffer before the January 11 deadline.

January-March 2026: Review and Interviews: The Broad Institute reviews applications and may conduct interviews with shortlisted candidates. If you’re selected for an interview, prepare to discuss your research experience, interests, and goals in depth. Be ready to explain why you’re interested in specific research areas and what you hope to learn during the program.

Late March-Early April 2026: Decisions: Acceptance notifications are typically sent in late March or early April. If you’re accepted, you’ll receive detailed information about next steps, housing options, and program logistics.

April-May 2026: Prepare: If accepted, you’ll need to arrange your housing in Cambridge (the program provides guidance and resources), complete any required paperwork, plan your travel to Cambridge, and prepare for your summer research experience.

June-July 2026: Participate in the Program: The eight-week program runs from June 1 through July 31. You’ll conduct research, attend seminars and workshops, participate in professional development activities, and present your findings at the final symposium.

Living in Cambridge During the Summer

Housing: The program provides a housing allowance but doesn’t arrange housing for you. You’ll need to find your own accommodation, which can be challenging in Cambridge’s tight housing market. Options include MIT summer housing (if available to non-MIT students), Harvard summer housing (sometimes available), sublets from students away for summer (common and often the most affordable option—check university housing boards), short-term apartment rentals through Airbnb or similar platforms, or sharing an apartment with other BSRP participants.

Start looking for housing as soon as you’re accepted. Expect to pay $1,200-2,000 per month depending on location and arrangement. The housing allowance significantly offsets this cost.

Getting Around: The Broad Institute is in Kendall Square, directly on the Red Line subway. Cambridge and Boston have excellent public transportation (the “T”), and you won’t need a car. A monthly T pass costs around $90. Many people also bike—Cambridge is very bike-friendly.

Cost of Living: Cambridge/Boston is expensive. Beyond housing, budget for food ($300-500/month depending on whether you cook or eat out), transportation ($90/month for T pass), and personal expenses. The stipend and housing allowance are designed to cover these costs, but budget carefully. Cooking at home rather than eating out frequently will save significant money.

The Area: Kendall Square is the heart of the biotech industry, surrounded by research institutes, biotech companies, and startups. You’re steps from MIT’s campus, a short subway ride from Harvard, and close to downtown Boston. The area has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and activities. Cambridge and Boston offer world-class museums, historical sites, parks, and cultural events.

Weather: Cambridge summers are warm and humid, with temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F (21-27°C), occasionally reaching the 90s°F (32°C+). Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Bring light clothing and be prepared for humidity.

Community: You’ll be part of a cohort of BSRP participants, and you’ll likely meet other summer students at MIT, Harvard, and other Boston-area institutions. The summer research community is active, with social events, seminars, and opportunities to connect with peers.

What Happens After BSRP

Graduate School Applications: BSRP experience significantly strengthens PhD program applications. You’ll have substantial research experience at a world-renowned institution, a strong letter of recommendation from your Broad mentor, a research presentation to discuss in interviews, and clarity about whether research is right for you. Many BSRP alumni go on to top PhD programs at institutions like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UCSF, and other leading universities.

Publications: Depending on your project and timing, you might contribute to publications. Even if your summer work doesn’t directly lead to a paper, your mentor might continue the project and include you as a co-author when results are published. Having a publication as an undergraduate is a significant achievement and strengthens graduate school applications.

Network: The relationships you build during BSRP—with your mentor, other Broad researchers, and fellow participants—can last throughout your career. Many alumni report that connections made during BSRP led to graduate school opportunities, collaborations, job offers, and ongoing mentorship.

Career Clarity: Eight weeks of intensive research gives you a much clearer sense of whether you want to pursue a research career. Some participants leave more committed to PhD programs and academic research. Others realize they prefer applied work, industry positions, medical school, or different career paths. Either outcome is valuable—it’s better to learn this during a summer program than after starting a PhD.

Future Opportunities: BSRP can open doors to other opportunities including return visits to the Broad for graduate rotations or postdoctoral research, collaborations with your mentor on future projects, connections to other research opportunities through the Broad network, and credibility when applying for other competitive fellowships like NSF Graduate Research Fellowship or NIH F31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the stipend amount? The exact stipend amount isn’t published and can vary year to year. Expect a competitive weekly stipend that, combined with the housing allowance, should cover your living expenses in Cambridge. Past participants report that the financial support is sufficient to live comfortably without needing additional income.

Can international students apply? Only if you have employment authorization (a valid work permit). The program requires participants to be US citizens, permanent residents, or non-US citizens with work authorization. If you’re an international student studying in the US but don’t have work authorization, you’re not eligible.

Do I need programming experience? It’s helpful but not required. Many successful applicants have limited computational background. However, given the Broad’s focus on computational biology, having some programming experience (Python, R, etc.) or willingness to learn strengthens your application.

Can I choose my research project? You’ll indicate your research interests in your application, and the program will match you with a lab based on those interests, your background, and available placements. You won’t choose a specific project in advance, but the program tries to create good matches.

What if I’m graduating in May 2026? You can still apply. While the program prefers students who will return to their undergraduate institution (to apply what they learned), graduating seniors are sometimes accepted if they’re planning to take a gap year before graduate school or have other compelling reasons to participate.

How competitive is selection? Very competitive. The program receives hundreds of applications for a limited number of spots. Exact acceptance rates aren’t published, but expect single-digit percentages. Strong academic performance, research experience, and clear research interests are necessary for competitive applications.

Can I extend the program beyond eight weeks? The official program is eight weeks. However, if you and your mentor want to continue the research collaboration, you might be able to arrange an extension or return visit, though this would be outside the formal BSRP structure and funding.

Will I get authorship on publications? It depends on your contribution and the project timeline. Some participants contribute enough to warrant co-authorship, especially if the project continues after the summer. However, eight weeks is often not enough time for a complete publication, so don’t expect guaranteed authorship.

How to Apply

If the Broad Summer Research Program sounds like the right opportunity for you, here’s what to do next:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website: Go to broadinstitute.org/bsrp to review complete program details, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.

Step 2: Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements including US citizenship/work authorization, minimum 3.2 GPA, and appropriate academic standing.

Step 3: Research the Broad Institute: Spend time understanding the Broad’s research programs and areas. This will help you write stronger essays and identify research interests.

Step 4: Prepare Your Materials: Starting in December, draft your essays, update your CV, gather transcripts, and identify recommenders. Give yourself time for multiple revisions.

Step 5: Submit Your Application: Complete the online application and submit all required materials by January 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late applications are not accepted.

Step 6: Follow Up: Ensure your recommenders have submitted their letters, monitor your application status, and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or interview invitations.

For questions about the program, contact [email protected].

The Broad Summer Research Program represents an exceptional opportunity for US undergraduate students to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research at one of the world’s premier research institutes with generous financial support. With careful preparation and a strong application, you can position yourself as a competitive candidate for this transformative summer research experience.

For complete information and to apply, visit broadinstitute.org/bsrp.