Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships

Program Details

High school students from Palm Beach and Martin counties are invited to apply for an exceptional opportunity: a full-time, eight-week summer internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute laboratories in Jupiter, Florida, working alongside leading scientists who tackle tough challenges like cancer and the pandemic coronavirus. The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship opens up the fascinating world of biological and chemical research. Explore a potential career in basic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, or biomedical engineering while learning lab, presentation, and research skills. This program was established in 2005 and is made possible by the generosity of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust and expanded in 2024 thanks to the generosity of the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation.

Students conduct basic biomedical research in a laboratory under the supervision of a Wertheim UF Scripps scientist. The program emphasizes the scientific process, research planning, bench experience, experimental design, data analysis, and interaction with laboratory personnel. Kenan fellows also attend scientific seminars that introduce them to a wide array of research topics. Students are paid a stipend of $4,800.00 for the summer.

Interns work full time in a UF Scripps laboratory for an eight-week period, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Students must arrange for daily transportation. The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute does not provide transportation or housing. Student interns are awarded a stipend for the eight weeks internship.

In addition to attending weekly seminars during the summer, students are expected to:

• Submit a written scientific abstract at the conclusion of the program
• Make an oral presentation and poster at the conclusion of the program

Eligibility

Kenan fellowships are awarded competitively to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will begin their junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school in the fall of that year. All applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students must be at least 14 years old and going into their junior year the following fall. Students are required to be available for the entire internship.

2027 Program Dates: June 4 to July 29

How to apply

• Application materials required include:
• A cover letter or letter of intent (personal statement) describing your reason for applying to the internship.
• An unofficial school or academic transcript. If dual-enrolled, please provide a college transcript as well.
• An academic resume or CV.
• Two science or math teachers’ references (contact information).
• Ability to work from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday from June 4 to July 29 (2027 program dates).
• More instructions are included in the job posting, which will open early December 2026.
• Deadline to apply is February 28, 2027, at midnight.