The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program: A Comprehensive Guide

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Summer Student Program (SSP) is a prestigious program designed for motivated high school and undergraduate students eager to immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research. This program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside experienced scientists, develop independent research projects, and contribute to the advancement of biomedical knowledge. With a focus on laboratory discovery, scientific communication, and personal growth, the SSP provides a transformative experience for aspiring researchers.

Program Overview

The Summer Student Program is available at two campuses: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Each year, approximately 40 students from across the United States are selected to participate. These students form a diverse and supportive community of science scholars, fostering collaboration and intellectual exchange.

Participants engage in ongoing research programs under the guidance of experienced scientific mentors. They develop an independent project, implement their research plan, analyze data, and present their findings to researchers, fellow students, and family members at the end of the summer. The program emphasizes laboratory discovery, scientific communication, and personal growth in a team environment.

Program Structure and Key Components

The 10-week program is structured to provide a comprehensive research experience, encompassing various aspects of scientific inquiry:

Mentored Research: Students participate in ongoing research programs, working closely with experienced scientific mentors to develop and implement an independent project related to the lab's work. As the fellowship progresses, students gain increasing independence in their research activities.
Essential Skills Development: Throughout the program, students participate in training and professional development sessions covering topics such as genetic testing, data visualization, science communication, and peer review.
Exposure to Diverse Career Paths: Weekly Journal Club meetings and informal conversations with JAX scientists and professionals (including grant writers, scientific services experts, attorneys, and veterinarians) provide insights into the many career paths shaped by science.
Presentation of Findings: At the end of the summer, students present their work to JAX researchers, other SSP participants, and family members, enhancing their communication skills and gaining exposure to the scientific community.

Research Areas

The Jackson Laboratory offers a wide range of research areas for summer students to explore:

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: This field uses computing resources to solve complex biological problems. Bioinformatics involves the application of computers and databases to store and retrieve biological information, while computational biology develops software applications and uses statistics to address specific biological questions.
Cancer Biology: Cancer biology research focuses on the initiation and progression of the disease, involving studies of individual loci related to cancer onset and genome-wide phenomena. Research ranges from investigating basic immunological pathways and their connection with the disease to developing or characterizing specific mouse models of cancer.
Developmental Biology and Aging: Developmental biology studies organism growth from conception to the end of embryogenesis. Research in this area also explores the changes that occur with aging and senescence.
Genomics: Genomics studies focus on whole-genome phenomena in an organism, examining multiple loci interactions as opposed to single gene activity.
Immunology and Infectious Disease: This area explores the complex interactions between genetic pathways and environmental stimuli in the immune system, which protects mammals from infectious diseases. Research also includes the study of hematopoiesis, the development of blood cells, which is essential for maintaining health.
Metabolic Diseases: Research in this area focuses on diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, gallstone formation, hypertension, and glaucoma.
Neurobiology and Sensory Deficits: This field investigates the thousands of genes specifically expressed in the mammalian nervous system.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Admission to the Summer Student Program is competitive, with students of all backgrounds encouraged to apply. JAX Genomic Education staff review each application, considering only the materials submitted within the context of the application. Supplemental materials are not permitted.

The Summer Student Program seeks students who demonstrate:

A deep desire to conduct an independent, mentored-research project in genetics and genomics.
Academic achievement.
Curiosity and passion for science.
Resilience and problem-solving skills.
Personal maturity and acceptance of responsibility.
Aptitude for working independently and within a team.

Application Requirements

To complete the online application, students must provide:

Two Letters of Recommendation: Applicants should provide their recommenders with information about the JAX Summer Student Program and their reasons for wanting to participate. Sharing a resume/CV, a list of specific projects, and any other relevant information can help recommenders write a strong letter of support.
Informal or Unofficial Transcript in PDF Format: First-year college students must also provide their high school transcript.
Three Short Answer Responses: Applicants must respond to the following questions in 3,000 characters or less (including spaces) per question:
- What are your career interests or goals, and how do you think The Jackson Laboratory's Summer Student Program fits into your future plans?
- Discuss the personal qualities or attributes you bring to a team or project environment. Provide a specific example of a contribution you made to a collaborative project. If applicable, please describe a collaboration with someone whose customs, habits, and/or traditions are different than your own.
- Provide an example of a challenge you have had to face. What strategies did you use to address this challenge?

Application Deadline and Important Dates

The application deadline for the Summer Student Program is typically in late January. For example, the application deadline was January 26, 2026. Students can edit their application up to the deadline but must 'submit' by 11:59 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time). Applications that are not submitted, even if complete, will not be reviewed.
The program dates are typically from late May/early June to early August. For example, the program dates were May 30, 2026 - August 7, 2026.

Financial Support

All students accepted into the Summer Student Program receive a stipend. In the past, students received a stipend was $6,500 for the 10-week program, including room and board at Highseas (Maine program) or at the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut program). The cost of round-trip travel between the student's home and the Laboratory is also provided. Students must not hold another job or internship or take summer classes during the program.

Benefits of Participating in the JAX Summer Student Program

Attending the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program offers numerous benefits for aspiring scientists:

Research Immersion: The program provides hands-on experience in genetics and genomics research, allowing students to deepen their understanding of these fields in a real-world setting.
Independent Research Project: Participants have the opportunity to develop and implement their own research project, gaining valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific reporting.
Experienced Mentors: The program provides students with guidance from experienced scientific mentors, who offer support and expertise throughout the program.
Presentation of Findings: Students present their findings to researchers, peers, and parents, improving their communication skills and gaining exposure to the scientific community.
Financial Support: The program covers the costs of travel, room and board, and meals, and provides a stipend to participants.

Considerations Before Applying

While the JAX Summer Student Program offers a valuable experience, it's important to consider the following factors before applying:

Competitive Selection Process: The program is highly competitive, with a limited number of spots available.
Time Commitment: The program requires a significant commitment of time and may limit other summer activities. SSP is a 40-hour per week commitment that includes completing lab work and activities required by your host lab, attending weekly professional development sessions, and participating in a weekly journal club.

Read also: Explore JSU's Academic Offerings

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