Work & Study

Short Term Opportunities

Research Access Programme

We welcome applications for our annual Research Access Programme. This summer placement programme supports undergraduates in the middle years of their first degree to spend eight weeks working on a research project within one of our scientific research groups. This programme offers an opportunity to develop primary research skills whilst being supported by a core programme of events and activities designed to provide further insight into working in an academic organisation and to explore career development opportunities. 

To ensure that we support a diverse range of students, we would particularly welcome applications from students who come from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. More information is available on the Research Access Programme web page.

The Babraham Institute also welcomes ad hoc expressions of interest in summer research placements for undergraduates in the middle years of their first degree with 3rd party bursary programmes (as outlined below) available to support you.

Please visit the Research pages for information on our research areas and select Group Leaders whose research topics interest you the most. Please submit your CV and covering letter directly to Group Leaders, asking if they have availability in their laboratory and if they would be willing to complete a bursary application form together with you to apply for a student stipend (which usually also requires a supporting statement be completed by your tutor which you will need to arrange). Most closing dates for bursary applications are in early February unless indicated otherwise.

  • The Biotechology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    UKRI BBSRC logo

    The Biotechology and Biological Sciences Research Council which provides strategic funding to the Babraham Institute, is awarding seven Research Experience Placements (REPs) to the University of Cambridge. The REPs scheme usually provides support for undergraduate summer research placements for up to ten weeks.

    The selected student must be in the middle years of their first degree, be registered for a basic science or veterinary degree at a UK university, and be expected to obtain a first or upper second class UK honours degree.

  • The Wellcome Trust
    Wellcome Trust logo

    The Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarships are available for up to eight weeks. Students must be at a university within the UK or Republic of Ireland and should be either an undergraduate in the middle year of a first degree (i.e. not the first or last year) and registered for a basic science, dentistry or veterinary degree OR a medical student between the end of the second year and the end of the penultimate year.

    Medical students who have completed an intercalated BSc year, and graduate entry medical students who have completed a previous undergraduate degree in a science related subject, are not eligible to apply for a Biomedical Vacation Scholarship.

  • The Society of Biology
    Society of Biology logo

    The Society of Biology organises an undergraduate research bursaries programme in conjunction with the British Ecological Society, British Pharmacological Society, Genetics Society, Society for Endocrinology, Society for Reproduction and Fertility, The Physiological Society with the support of the Nuffield Foundation. The awards provide support for students for six to eight weeks. Students must be registered at a UK institution for the majority of their undergraduate science degree and should be in the middle years of their first degree.

    Applications on behalf of first- or final-year undergraduates, or graduates, will not be considered. Medical students, and medical students studying for intercalated science degrees, are not eligible for these awards. Preference will be given to students who are expected to achieve a first or upper second class degree, who are considering a career in research, but who have not yet had an opportunity to experience research.

  • Amgen
    Amgen logo

    The Amgen Scholars Program is open to undergraduate students enrolled in colleges or universities in European counties that are participating in the Bologna Process (to view the participating countries please visit the website below). Undergraduate students must not have entered the final year of their bachelor’s or first degree (or its equivalent).

    Applicants must also have a strong record of academic performance, an interest in pursuing a PhD and will need a good working knowledge of English.

  • Other Bursaries

    There are also bursaries available from other organisations such as The Biochemical Society, The British Society for Cell Biology, The Genetics Society, and The Physiological Society. Please see individual websites for further information.