To provide students with tools, information and opportunities on their journey to becoming physicians, researchers and public health professionals; as well as role models and teachers in the academic community. We also strive to enhance participants' understanding of community partnerships and how to achieve success in both a clinical and research standpoint in communities and neighborhoods with less resources.
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Overview
The Mass General Brigham Rising Stars in Science and Medicine Program is a distinguished summer research opportunity for undergraduate rising seniors, seniors, pre-med, and first-year medical students with a strong interest in pursuing advanced careers as research scientists, physicians, and/or health care professionals. The program recruits students from around the nation into an eight-week mentored summer program. Students participate in intensive hands-on training in research methods and practice directly in the labs of Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School’s leading researchers.
All are welcome to apply. We are looking for students who are excited about academic medicine and/or biomedical research and have a strong interest in becoming scientific leaders and clinicians in neighborhoods and communities with less access to care and resources vital to achieving optimal health. Features of the program:
- Eight-week research experience. Students work with their lab mentor to submit an abstract of their summer research project and share their research findings during a final research presentation day.
- Professional and career development workshops. Students meet regularly with faculty from Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) to discuss topics such as MD/PhD programs, clerkships, medical school admissions, health policy, interviewing and presentation skills.
- Social and networking events. Cohort socials and networking events with students across Harvard Medical School/Mass General Brigham, and more.
Our history
The Rising Stars in Science and Medicine Program is an integration of the Brigham and Women's Hospital STARS Program, founded in 2008, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Summer Research Trainee Program founded in 1992. In combination, the institutions have brought over 700 students to Mass General Brigham hospitals and Harvard Medical School. Many of whom went on to medical school and/or established research and clinical careers contributing significantly to medicine, science and improving patient care.
Our mission
We will specifically provide medical and undergraduate students an opportunity to engage in basic, clinical and translational research projects under the mentorship of experienced researchers at Mass General Brigham. We aim to enhance the research capabilities of medical and undergraduate students and to encourage these scholars to pursue advanced medical and graduate education and training.
Our vision is to train future scientific leaders and clinicians who desire to bring their skills to neighborhoods and communities with less access to care and resources vital to achieving optimal health.
Our goals
- To provide students with tools, information and opportunities on their journey to becoming physicians, researchers and public health professionals; as well as role models and teachers in the academic community
- To enhance participants' understanding of community partnerships and how to achieve success in both a clinical and research standpoint in communities and neighborhoods with less resources
Financial support
- Transportation: We provide each student with a subway pass that can be used to travel to/from the hospital and on weekends.
- Housing: Our program provides housing free of charge for the entire length of the eight-week program. We also provide pots, pans and other utensils for meal preparation.
- Living stipend: Rising Stars in Science and Medicine Program provides each student with a stipend ($5,000 USD) for the eight-week program.
- Select program meals and social activities: Includes light breakfast and/or lunch during workshops, if applicable.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate rising senior, senior, pre-med or first-year medical student
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Strong interest in pursuing advanced careers as research scientists, physicians and/or health care professionals
- Strong interest in working in communities and neighborhoods with decreased access and support
- Priority will be given to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Application instructions
We are looking for students who have the following qualities:
- Students who follow and comply with all the application requirements and eligibility criteria. Please review these closely.
- Mature students who are looking for an opportunity to show that they have what it takes to succeed in high-level research
- Students who are professional, punctual, and who can participate fully in all aspects of the program
- Students who are assets to the program and the other participating students
Please only apply if:
- Your expectations align with ours! The Rising Stars in Science and Medicine Program is an exciting and demanding program, which will require your full-time attention and dedication. We have high expectations of our students, and we encourage you to have high expectations of the program.
- You can attend the mandatory 8-week programming period. Exceptions may be made if you have extenuating circumstances, such as conflicts with medical school dates.
Please complete all sections of the application form via the online portal. Be sure to upload all required supporting materials.
Required materials
Completed application form
- Personal, general and additional demographic information
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (must include GPA, institutions attended, and research experience)
- Personal statement and essay
- Supporting materials
- Academic transcript(s) for all attended schools
- Two letters of recommendation directed to the program (one from a professor and one from a person of your choice [mentor/advisor, etc.])
- Letter of good standing (required for first-year medical students)
Program timeline
- November 17, 2025: Applications open
- December 3, 2025, 6 pm: Information Session/Alumni Panel. Get your questions answered!
- February 1, 2026, end of day ET: Application deadline
- February 6, 2026–March 5, 2026: Completed applications are reviewed by the Review Committee
- March 4-5, 2026: Students are notified of their acceptance by phone, or email
- May 18, 2026 (tentative): Accepted students receive a Mass General Brigham email account, and all the training requested by preceptors
- May 30-31, 2026: Students should arrange to arrive by this time
- May 31, 2026: Student housing opens
- June 1, 2026: First day of the program
- July 24, 2026: Last day of the program
- July 25, 2026: Student housing closes
Frequently asked questions
General questions
- Mass General Brigham is the largest HMS teaching hospital and the #1 NIH-funded academic medical center in the country.
- Development of scientific writing and presentation skills, including abstract writing and a final
- Presentation of a research project
- Individualized mentorship, guiding students toward the next step in their careers
- Social outings covered by the program
- Networking opportunities with residents, fellows and faculty.
- Free housing at MassArt and a student stipend of $5,000
- An amazing experience!
- Undergraduate rising senior, senior, pre-med or first-year medical student
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Strong interest in pursuing advanced careers as research scientists, physicians, and/or health care professionals
- Strong interest in working in communities and neighborhoods with decreased access and support
- Priority will be given to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We select the Rising Stars cohort through a holistic review process. While there is no minimum GPA, the national pool of applicants is very competitive. The profile part of the application will ask for your GPA, but please be aware that the answer will be reviewed and considered with other sections of your application.
If accepted to the program, you will be working at Mass General Brigham and thus will need to submit proof of health insurance coverage. As an employer, Mass General Brigham must comply with all federal and state law health insurance requirements.
No previous research experience is required for admission to Rising Stars in Science and Medicine.
Application process
Jump to the application instructions.
Make sure you answer all the questions on the profile part, as all the questions are mandatory for our program.
No, not necessarily. They can be from faculty members, laboratory advisors, or academic mentors who have worked closely with you.
A letter of good standing is required only if you do not have access to your transcripts by the application deadline (e.g., if you have just started medical school). Only medical students whose school does not provide transcripts need a letter of good standing.
No. We are unable to access transcript links that require downloading. Please submit official transcripts directly instead.
Upload your official or unofficial transcript to the Application System account. If you encounter issues, please email risingstars@mgb.org.
We will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. However, if you are selected you will be required to provide official transcripts.
Admitted students
Housing
Housing is provided to the student by the program, at no cost to the student. All students participating in the program will be housed in the same facility and the location will be near Mass General Brigham hospitals, to optimize the experience. Staying in the housing provided is mandatory, as it is an essential part of building the cohort experience.
Funding and travel reimbursement
The program is funded by hospital sources and does not receive any federal grants. Students are provided with a one-time stipend of $5,000 during the first weeks of the program. This is intended to cover daily expenses, including food. Please consider your banking options for depositing your stipend as not all banks are represented in Boston.
We offer a few travel grants to assist students with demonstrated financial need in covering travel expenses. To be considered, students must submit a written statement of request and their most recent FAFSA. Additional documentation and a separate application may be requested as part of the review process.
While no meal plan is available, there is a grocery store nearby, as well as a farmers’ market and many affordable dining options close to the housing. We make every effort to provide meals during the weekly didactic sessions and at other special events throughout the summer sponsored by the Office for Engagement and Enrichment.
Yes, the eight weeks are mandatory. We understand some medical schools extend longer than the end date of Friday, July 24th, or start earlier than the first day of June 1st. In these cases, we may be able to accommodate your schedule upon request (while still completing 8 weeks of research). You would still need to attend orientation. Otherwise, we expect all students to start on June 1st and end on July 24th.
Yes, there is a required orientation that will take place during the first one or two days of the program. During these days of your summer experience, we cover an extensive amount of important information. Please note that before orientation; you must have completed all mandatory Mass General Brigham paperwork and training.
Our team carefully matches each student with a preceptor to ensure the best possible research and learning environment. Additionally, please do not contact researchers or physician-scientists directly.
Contact us
Please contact us with any inquiries at risingstars@mgb.org.