The Next-Gen summer high school internship is designed for rising juniors and seniors who have a budding interest in STEM and medicine. Students will choose and present a research project, hear health science lectures from physician scientist, Dr. Ken Snyder MD/PhD, attend career presentations from nurses, therapists, and researchers, observe live medical procedures and more. This two-week experience allows students to discover new career pathways, and increase their confidence and knowledge in STEM. 20 students can participate in the 2-week program. From the 20-person cohort, 8 students will be chosen to participate in an additional 5 weeks of lab skills and lab placement - making it a 7-week program for those 8 students.
The 2025 applications are open!
Where: Interns will work at the Jacobs Institute, which is located on the 5th Floor of the Gates Vascular Institute, 875 Ellicott St.
Who: The Jacobs Institute (JI) is a non-profit medical device innovation center in Buffalo, NY specializing in the treatment of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular diseases. The JI is uniquely located between a state-of-the-art hospital and a world-class university research center. As such, we have access to first-rate physicians and hi-tech research and clinical facilities. The programs and services we offer to global medical device companies and smaller biotech startups allow interns to interact with physicians, sales representatives, engineers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. As an active member of the Western New York Community, we run programs and interact with Buffalo’s students to teach them about heart attacks and strokes.
If you have additional questions regarding the summer internship program, please contact Jessica Martensen at education@jacobsinstitute.org or 716.888.4821.
“I gained a new perspective on the medical field. I now understand that it isn’t just doctors and nurses, but so many other cool jobs. I also feel a lot more confident about strokes. I believe that I could now teach a class on what a stroke is, what the symptoms are, and how to treat it.” Intern, 2024
The selection process is competitive. Applicants must submit a complete application via the Submissions section on the Internships page.
Your application must illustrate qualifications, character, and an interest in working at the Jacobs Institute. A complete application includes:
Summer 2025
Applications Accepted Beginning: February 3rd, 2025
Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025, 11:59pm EST
Start Date: July 7, 2025 (2-week & 7-week)
End Date: July 18th, 2025 (2 -week), August 22, 2025 (7-week)
*We will notify all applicants if they are no longer considered for the internship program.
"I loved the work environment. Everyone was willing to help me when I asked. I also appreciate all the different things we could do, like clinical shadowing and networking. Lastly, I truly appreciate how much the JI has helped me grow professionally. From all the different skills I learned to the people I met; it was an enriching experience." Intern, 2024
Each response should be no more 250 words in length.
Yes, all application materials must be submitted on or before the application deadline. Application materials will not be accepted after the due date. See Next Gen Internship Timeline for details.
Yes, see Eligibility Requirements for details
No. Please upload your application materials through this web page. If needed, we will provide you with a Dropbox link, please email Jessica Martensen at education@jacobsinstitute.org for assistance.
We are happy to complete any paperwork so that you my receive Work Base Learning hours for Career and Technical Education students.
For the first time ever the interns in the two-week program will be paid a one-time stipend of $599.60. Students in the seven-week program will receive the $599.60 stipend for the first two weeks and $15.50 an hour for the remaining five weeks.
See Next Gen Internship Timeline for details.
“This internship has really opened my eyes, and I have already changed a class for my senior year to better align for a career in medicine when applying to college.” Intern, 2024