Undergraduate Biomedical and Biological research opportunities

As an undergraduate student, I really wanted to get involved in research. However, I never found a notice board or social media community that shared these broadly beyond their originating institution. So I often had the frustrating experience of encountering advertising for research opportunities I was excited about right after the application deadline had passed.

These frustrations led me to develop a list of rough deadlines and summarize information for biomedical and bioscience research programs I was interested in. This list prepared me for the next round of applications: adding and checking information on undergraduate research problems deadlines months and even years ahead meant I knew when to start writing up applications.

I was prompted to update this list once again last year when I was approached by an undergraduate student who was trying to find research opportunities. As this list helped me and this student in our quests to get research experience, I decided to also share it below in the hope it might help at least one other Australian student with the same goal!

Disclaimer:

The below list is far from complete, so please only use it as a starting point - not a definite source of information. I last checked the accuracy of information and links in June 2023; since this date, the program information (including deadlines) may have changed, or the research program may no longer be running. It's also not comprehensive, so there are undoubtedly more opportunities to discover out there! As I developed it for myself while I was an undergraduate in Melbourne, the below list unsurprisingly focuses on opportunities for Melbourne and undergraduate students. Please consider these limitations when you use this list, and check the program links (and Google if the links have expired) for the latest application deadline, eligibility criteria, and program information.

Now that I’ve provided you with this declaimer, without further ado, and in no particular order here is the list of research opportunities I developed:

Biological and Biomedical Opportunities

In Melbourne, or Victoria:

Amgen Scholars Program

Hosted at the University of Melbourne (Parkville, Victoria)

https://amgenscholars.research.unimelb.edu.au/

• Stipend/Money information: Paid in two sums, up to $3600. Accommodation and meals provided, travel costs included.
• Opportunity length and time period: 7-week summer program, in January - February.
• Relevant application times: Applications are typically due around ~August (open August 1st)

Cancer Council Victoria Summer Vacation Studentships

Can be hosted by a variety of Victorian Institutions.

https://www.cancervic.org.au/research/grants/research_sum_vacation_studentships

• Students are expected to approach researchers they are interested in working with and have a planned placement with them

• This scholarship is often used to expand the length of other scholarships (e.g. cancer projects taken under Monash University’s Vacation Scholarship, or Peter Mac’s Summer Scholarship)

• Undergraduate biomedical, basic science, and medical students enrolled at any Victorian university who have not yet completed their final year

• Stipend/Money information: ?

• Opportunity length and time period: Varies by project

• Relevant application times: Applicants are informed of success in late October or early November, so applications are likely due ~ August / September. In 2024, applications open 5 August.

Monash University Summer and Winter Scholarship Research

Hosted at Monash University (typically Clayton, Victoria)

https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/summer-winter

• Wide variety of fields and projects (beyond Biomedical or Biological Sciences)

• Available projects are listed while applications are open; in the application form, you list preferences for particular projects

• For students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate (coursework) studies with an Australian higher education provider

• Applicants are expected typically to have completed at least the second year of an undergraduate degree

• Stipend/Money information: Stipend varies by project

• Opportunity length and time period: Varies by project, and vacation time period

• Relevant application times: Applications are typically due around August (for the Summer vacation period) and May (for the Winter vacation period)

Peter Mac Cancer Centre Summer Scholarships

Hosted at Peter Mac Cancer Centre (Parkville, Victoria)

https://www.petermac.org/education/research-education/research-placements

• There are also additional opportunities for Indigenous students, with a slightly higher stipend ($300 vs $250 per week)

• Stipend/Money information: Students receive a tax-free payment of $250 per week (five working days).

• Opportunity length and time period: Scholarships are for six weeks or 30 days full-time (not including public holidays). These dates are scheduled in consultation with the supervisor and the student.

• Relevant application times: Applications are typically open around July.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Can be hosted by a variety of Victorian Institutions (currently overseen by CSIRO)

https://www.csiro.au/en/careers/scholarships-student-opportunities/undergraduate-studentships/urop

• At the time of application, applicants need to have at least two more semesters remaining in undergraduate degree

• Stipend/Money information: Paid by the host research institution as a casual employee

• Opportunity length and time period: Placements are for six months to one year part-time in an assigned research lab (typically full-time during semester breaks)

• Relevant application times: Two application rounds per year, to start in: Summer [apply July/August] and Winter [apply February/March]

WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) Vacation Scholars

Hosted at WEHI (Parkville, Victoria)

https://www.wehi.edu.au/education/vacation-scholarships

• For students currently enrolled in an Australian undergraduate degree and who have completed at least one year of discipline-specific study.
• Stipend/Money information: Stipend of $400 per week.
• Opportunity length and time period: A maximum of 6 weeks (full-time). For students with employment or other commitments, part-time arrangements can be negotiated.
• For students currently enrolled in an Australian undergraduate degree and who have completed at least one year of discipline-specific study.
• Relevant application times:? Unclear application deadline, likely at least a month or two before the end of each Semester

WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) Metcalf Scholarships

Hosted at WEHI (Parkville, Victoria)

https://www.wehi.edu.au/education/undergraduate/metcalf-scholarships

• Awarded to applicants with the highest subject marks in their previous completed Semester.
• Stipend/Money information: one of $ 1000 award and salary
• Opportunity length and time period:Scholars are expected to work in the lab ~8 hours/week during the Semester (but not exam time) and full-time during vacations
• Placements are expected to run for at least six months, but some students' placements may last longer than this, as negotiated with the supervisor.
• Flexibility will be offered to students with carer or other employment commitments.
• Relevant application times: ? Unclear application due date, but since interviews are held in April, it is likely these deadlines are in February or March

Canberra

ANU Summer Scholarship

Hosted at ANU (Canberra, ACT)

https://biology.anu.edu.au/study/rsb-student-scholarships-prizes/summer-research-scholarships

• For undergraduate students in their third or final year of their degree or Honours students and currently enrolled at an Australian or New Zealand university.
• Other students (e.g., outstanding second-year students who intend to complete an Honours degree, postgraduate students) may be considered at the discretion of individual ANU Colleges/Academics areas.
• Stipend/Money information: Stipend covers travel/board and allowance
• Opportunity length and time period: Some part of summer vacation
• Relevant application times: Apply August/September

UNSW Canberra Summer Undergraduate Research Scholarships

Hosted at UNSW Canberra (Canberra, ACT)

https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/study/scholarships/summer-undergraduate-research-scholarships

• Need to be completing third year of academic study by the end of the relevant year
• Stipend/Money information:: ‘Weekly allowance at the rate of $500 (tax exempt)
• Opportunity length and time period: six-ten weeks, in December - February
• Relevant application times: Applications are typically due around August / September (September 30th, in 2023)

Various Australian Locations

CSIRO Vacation Studentships

Hosted at CSIRO (Various, Australia)

https://www.csiro.au/en/careers/scholarships-student-opportunities/undergraduate-studentships/undergraduate-vacation-studentships

• Mostly biology (and general science) type placements
• For students who are currently enrolled as an undergraduate and have completed three years of a full-time undergraduate course (exceptional second-year students may be considered)
• Stipend/Money information: Summer vacation scholarships (seems to be providing stipends of generally ~$700 per week)
• Opportunity length and time period: Some part of summer vacation
• Relevant application times: Information about applications is generally expected to be available July/August (Applications are likely due soonish after this time)

Maths and Statistics Opportunities

The following opportunities are designed for Mathematics students but allow students to take on Biological projects with a strong maths or statistics focus.

In Melbourne, or Victoria

University of Melbourne Mathematics and Statistics Vacation Scholarships Program

Hosted at the University of Melbourne (Parkville, Victoria)

https://ms.unimelb.edu.au/engage/vacation-scholarships

Various Australian Locations

AMSI Vacation Research scholarships

Can be hosted by a variety of Australia Institutions.

https://vrs.amsi.org.au/

• Need to identify a supervisor and research project at a host university.

• Stipend/Money information: $3000 scholarship. If outside Victoria, also includes travel and 2 days accommodation in Melbourne to attend the national conference for AMSI Summer Research Scholars.

• Opportunity length and time period: Six-weeks