Radiology Internships for Undergraduates: A Comprehensive Guide

For undergraduate students intrigued by the world of medical imaging, radiology internships present an unparalleled opportunity to delve into this dynamic field. These internships provide invaluable firsthand experience, combining professional skill development with exposure to imaging labs, hospital departments, or academic research centers. The result is a robust technical and analytical skill set, access to valuable professional connections, mentorship from leading physicians and scientists, and a boost to your profile for future academic or professional endeavors in healthcare.

Unveiling the World of Radiology Internships

Radiology internships for undergraduates offer a diverse range of experiences, tailored to different interests and career aspirations. These programs can vary significantly in terms of location, duration, focus, and eligibility criteria. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various radiology internship opportunities available, serving as a starting point for undergraduates eager to explore this exciting field.

Featured Radiology Internship Programs

Here's a detailed look at some of the most prominent radiology internship programs for undergraduates:

1. NIH Clinical Center Summer Internship Program

Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 18 years or older by June 1, and enrolled in high school, college, graduate school, or a health professional school.

This eight-week paid research experience immerses undergraduates in clinical and translational science at the NIH Clinical Center. Interns collaborate with research teams, working under a Principal Investigator in areas like radiology, bioethics, rehabilitation medicine, and nursing. They participate in laboratory or clinical research, assist with data analysis, and attend seminars led by NIH investigators. A highlight is the NIH Summer Poster Day, where students present their research to peers and faculty. The program also offers career development workshops and sessions on graduate and professional school preparation.

2. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology - Summer Research Program

Location: Washington University School of Medicine (Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology), St. Louis, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free | $7,000
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in imaging, medical physics, engineering, computer science, or related fields.

This 10-week program engages undergraduate and medical students in cutting-edge imaging science. Interns collaborate with faculty and research staff in areas such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, molecular imaging, and radiopharmaceutical development. The program emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience, where students assist in data collection, protocol development, and image analysis under faculty supervision. Participants explore diverse imaging applications across neuroscience, cardiovascular, and oncologic research while learning technical and analytical techniques relevant to radiology. The internship culminates in a formal presentation of findings.

3. MD Anderson Cancer Center - Summer Imaging Research Program (SIRP)

Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | Up to $7,200 (pre-tax)
Eligibility: Students within their first two years of medical school or final three years of undergraduate studies (students will need a letter of reference from their school for enrollment).

SIRP is a 10-week research fellowship immersing students in quantitative and clinical imaging within oncology. Under the guidance of radiology faculty mentors, participants work on imaging-based research projects involving modalities such as MRI, CT, PET/CT, and ultrasound. The program integrates hands-on research with opportunities for clinical observation, allowing students to gain insight into both the technical and patient-care aspects of radiology. Educational lectures and multidisciplinary conferences are held regularly to expand participants’ understanding of imaging in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The experience culminates in a symposium where students present their findings.

4. MD Anderson Cancer Center - Pathway in Systems Imaging (PSI) Summer Research Program

Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free | $7,200
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students who have completed their freshman year of college by June and are at least 18 years of age; International students may apply if they hold a current visa through the duration of the program.

The PSI Summer Research Program offers undergraduates and graduate students a focused introduction to imaging research within the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging. Over the course of the summer, students work alongside faculty mentors conducting laboratory and computational research in cancer detection, molecular imaging, and imaging agent development. Participants spend most of their time on research while also attending seminars, workshops, and professional development sessions that address topics such as ethics, communication, and translational imaging. The program focuses on systems-level analysis, integrating biological, spatial, and temporal data to improve diagnostic and therapeutic precision. All trainees present their work during departmental and institutional research symposia.

5. UCSF Radiology Initiative for Scholarly Engagement (RISE Program)

Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $4,300
Eligibility: Undergraduate and medical students committed to advancing and sustaining opportunity inclusive to all communities and/or coming from medically, economically, or educationally disadvantaged populations.

The UCSF RISE Program is an eight-week research and academic development experience created by the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging to introduce students to radiology as a scientific and clinical discipline. This program connects participants with faculty mentors who guide them through research in areas like neuro, thoracic, oncologic, and interventional imaging, as well as emerging domains such as machine learning and image analysis. Each student develops a research project that culminates in an abstract presentation at the department’s Summer Students Symposium and may contribute to conference submissions or publications.

6. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Eligibility: college or university who will be continuing students in the subsequent fall semester, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

This 10-week full-time internship is for undergraduates interested in biomedical research, including imaging and radiology. As a fellow, you are paired with a Mayo Clinic faculty mentor and work on a defined research project within a lab, often in the Center for Advanced Imaging Research, which focuses on MRI, CT, and image processing. This fellowship covers experimental techniques, data analysis, and collaboration, allowing you to experience research at a world-class medical center. Many students gain co-authorship opportunities in peer-reviewed papers, and the mentorship network includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students.

7. UC San Diego School of Medicine - MSTP-SURF Program

Location: UCSD campus, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | $6000
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited school or university (including baccalaureate schools of nursing); or be attending community or junior colleges, provided they are enrolled in at least three courses per academic term and have completed at least 6 courses; Minimum 3.5 GPA

The UC San Diego MSTP-SURF Program offers an eight-week summer research and clinical experience for undergraduates interested in biomedical science, radiology, and academic medicine. The program pairs you with a team of mentors-including faculty researchers, clinicians, and MSTP students-to guide you through hands-on research and shadowing experiences in departments such as Radiology, Bioengineering, and Cardiology. Participants conduct imaging-related research, attend seminars and workshops, and present their findings at a final symposium. You receive a competitive stipend and on-campus housing while taking part in mentorship activities, community events, and networking opportunities.

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8. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)

Eligibility: citizens or legal permanent residents), currently enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university with a minimum 3.3 overall GPA

CRISSP is a 10-week full-time research fellowship designed for undergraduates exploring biomedical and clinical research, including radiology-focused projects. Under the mentorship of CHOP investigators, you conduct an independent research project, learning about experimental design, lab methods, and data analysis. Participants attend weekly seminars, professional development luncheons, and workshops covering scientific communication, goal setting, and mentorship. The program’s clinical track enables exposure to patient-oriented research under faculty from departments such as Radiology, where you may engage in studies on diagnostics and imaging technologies.

9. Massachusetts General Hospital - Radiology Research Scholar Visiting Program (R²SVP)

Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | stipend/housing varies
Eligibility: To be eligible, undergraduates must secure their own independent funding to cover living and travel expenses for 12 months, have prior research experience, and provide a CV, a letter of recommendation, and a letter of motivation

R²SVP at Massachusetts General Hospital connects undergraduate and medical trainees from around the world with faculty researchers across 11 imaging divisions, including neuroradiology, interventional radiology, and molecular imaging. During the program, scholars work closely with a faculty mentor on one or more projects involving study design, data collection, and analysis, with the expectation of contributing to at least one manuscript for peer-reviewed publication. Participants also join team meetings to present progress and collaborate with interdisciplinary research groups.

10. University of Pennsylvania - SUPERS (Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Radiation Scientists)

Location: Philadelphia, PA (Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Around $4,000 + housing
Eligibility: Rising college juniors and seniors who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in scientific research related to cancer biology and/or the radiation sciences; GPA of 3.2 or higher at an accredited college or university

The University of Pennsylvania’s SUPERS program is an intensive summer research experience focused on radiation sciences, where undergraduate students engage in individual hypothesis-driven projects under the mentorship of faculty experts. You’ll work directly in laboratories specializing in radiation biology, radiology, physics, bioengineering, and related fields, learning how to design experiments, analyze data, and interpret scientific findings. The program complements hands-on research with weekly lectures covering topics such as cancer cell biology, tumor physiology, radiologic imaging, and artificial intelligence in medicine. Students participate in journal clubs to discuss current scientific papers and present their work twice, midway through the program and at an end-of-summer research retreat.

11. Northwestern University Radiology - UIM Research Summer Fellowship

Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | $500/ week for up to 10 weeks
Eligibility: UlMs who are undergraduates or full-time students in medicine, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field

The Northwestern University Radiology UIM Research Summer Fellowship is a 6 to 10-week program designed for students underrepresented in medicine (UIM) who want to explore radiology through hands-on research. Participants work closely with faculty mentors to develop and execute research projects that may focus on clinical imaging studies, artificial intelligence, interventional radiology, or diagnostic imaging technologies. You’ll define study objectives, test hypotheses, and analyze imaging data while gaining exposure to the research process within an academic medical center. Fellows also have the chance to learn about the radiology residency program and discuss career pathways in academic radiology.

12. Washington University in St. Louis - Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

The program offers internships in varied specialties, so you’ll need to apply to be placed in the radiology department. Over the summer, students conduct research under faculty mentorship in fields like imaging informatics, magnetic resonance (MR) research, and image analysis within the Department of Radiology. The program includes seminars, workshops, and networking sessions to strengthen research, writing, and presentation skills. You also have the opportunity to present your work at the annual SROP Research Symposium and receive mentorship on graduate school applications. Participants live in university housing, have access to campus resources, and join a national cohort of rising scholars.

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13. Memorial Sloan Kettering - Engineering and Imaging Summer Program (EISP)

Location: MSK faculty laboratories, Upper East Side of Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | $6,500 (housing may be provided)
Eligibility: Actively enrolled undergraduate rising juniors or seniors and enrolled in an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0

Memorial Sloan Kettering’s EISP is a 10-week research internship for rising juniors and seniors interested in the intersection of engineering, molecular imaging, and cancer research. Each student is matched with a faculty mentor and conducts an independent research project.

Global Internship Opportunities

Beyond the structured programs, several organizations specialize in arranging customized radiology internships abroad. These experiences offer a unique blend of professional development and cultural immersion.

Work the World: Tailored Radiology Internships

Work the World specializes in planning and customizing internships for radiology students in various international locations. They offer placements in:

Ghana (Takoradi): Assist in providing diagnostic services for departments like A&E, as well as small clinics in surrounding rural villages. Gain exposure to a wide range of advanced pathologies.
Sri Lanka (Kandy): Get hands-on experience with a range of technologies, including CT scans, angiograms, MRI scanning, mammography, digital subtraction angiography, and radio-opaque substance investigations. Access operating theatres, a catheterization lab, and a lithotripsy unit. Opportunities in radiotherapy are also available.
Tanzania (Dar es Salaam): Assist with cases like fractures, road traffic accidents, and burns. Diagnose HIV-related chest infections, highlighting the impact of the virus on a low-resource healthcare system.
Vietnam (Hue): Gain experience both scanning and assisting in the interpretation of imagery at a university teaching hospital. Develop adaptability by working with limited modern equipment.
Nepal (Kathmandu): Assist in a busy department, learning how local specialists get by using dated equipment. Help diagnose and treat a range of unfamiliar cases referred from surrounding rural areas.
Philippines (Iloilo): Gain experience with diagnostic medical imaging tools to diagnose conditions like pulmonary tuberculosis and trauma-related cases. Get involved in inserting IV lines, performing fluoroscopic procedures, and injecting contrast dyes.

How to Apply with Work the World:

Submit an inquiry: Use the form on their website.
Consultation: A member of their consultation team will review your inquiry and call you to discuss your eligibility.
Application: Once your eligibility is confirmed, submit your application form and pay the registration fee.

Benefits of Radiology Internships

Radiology internships offer a multitude of benefits for undergraduate students:

Skill Development: Develop technical and analytical skills in medical imaging techniques.
Professional Connections: Gain access to valuable professional connections and mentorship from leading physicians and scientists.
Career Advancement: Enhance your profile for future academic or professional opportunities in healthcare.
Global Perspective: International internships offer exposure to diverse healthcare systems and cultural experiences.
Personal Growth: Develop adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the healthcare field.

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