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High School & Undergraduate Programs

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center provides several opportunities for high school and undergraduate students who are interested in biomedical and behavioral research and in health profession careers. Students interested in exploring careers in science and medicine are encouraged to apply.

Stephenson Cancer Center Programs

High School Programs

Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience – High School Summer Program (CURE Jr.)

The University of Oklahoma and OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center provide an annual one-day program for 30+ Oklahoma high school students to learn about careers in cancer research and medicine. Participants learned directly from medical professionals and researchers about Colon Cancer, Public Health, Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, and Oncology as well as discussion on their personal career paths. Additional hands-on STEM activities included: cancer cell microscopy and tumor observation, bio-nanotechnology, marshmallow challenge, and a tour in our giant inflatable colon.

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Building Research and Investment in Developing the Next Generation (BRIDGE)

The Building Research and Investment in Developing the Next Generation (BRIDGE) began its first 8-week summer program for OKC metro rising juniors and seniors interested in a career in healthcare or biomedical research to gain valuable experience. Participants will receive hands-on job training, research experiences, networking opportunities, mentorship, collaboration, professional development, and resume building.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Rising Junior or Senior for the next academic year.
  • A United States citizen or permanent resident or have unrestricted employment authorization in accordance with applicable Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations (example: J-2 with Employment Authorization Document or F-1 with approval from your education institutes International Services Office). Applicants with an H-4 visa are NOT eligible.
  • Willing and able to commit to the program’s entire eight-week time frame.

Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 24, 2026
Duration: 8 weeks

Apply Now

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YES Oklahoma

The Native American Youth Enjoy Science (YES Oklahoma; NCI R25CA274172) Program aims to engage up to 12 Native American high school rising juniors and seniors in an intensive summer internship that allows them to gain up to seven college credit hours, 60+ hours of hands-on laboratory training and professional networking activities. The program also engages four middle and high school science teachers in high needs communities by providing curriculum development, materials and supplies, and salary compensation.

YES Oklahoma also has outreach engagement locally, nationally and globally. An example of YES innovation is our placed-based health education materials in Indigenous languages. Overwhelmingly, our Tribal partners have valued these materials with a total of 47 completed posters/social media posts featuring 23 different phrases created in nine languages across seven language families in North, Central, and South America.

Contact: yesok@ou.edu.

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Rural Oklahoma Outreach and Teaching for Nanotechnology (ROOT4NANO)

The Rural Oklahoma Outreach and Teaching for Nanotechnology (ROOT4NANO) aims to inspire successful careers as scientists and engineers in rural Oklahoma student populations through engagement of rural Oklahoma high school students in bionanotechnology via classroom visits, campus visits, and summer camps and by creating an academic and social support network for undergraduates within the institution to facilitate academic success and professional development.

Learn More

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Pre- and Post-Baccalaureate Program

Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience Program (CURE)

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center established the Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Program in 2010 to inspire and prepare the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians. Through CURE, outstanding undergraduate students work side-by-side with experienced cancer investigators, gaining invaluable experience in biomedical research and academic medicine.

You’ll Experience

  • Hands-on research training in active cancer research laboratories

  • 10 weeks of immersive learning and skill-building
  • Participation in a journal club to explore current cancer research topics
  • Access to networking and professional development opportunities
  • A poster presentation at the program’s conclusion — showcase your research, share results, and build your presentation skills

Program Dates: May 26, 2026 – July 30, 2026
Duration: 10 weeks (full participation required)

Eligibility Requirements

  • A undergraduate student who has completed 60–100 credit hours
  • A U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or hold unrestricted work authorization (e.g., J-2 with EAD or F-1 with approved OPT/CPT)
    • Note: Students with H-4 visas are not eligible
  • Able to commit fully to the program’s 10-week schedule
  • Scholars are selected based on aptitude and interest in science and math, academic achievement, strength of personal essay, recommendation letters and resumes written as part of the application process.
How to apply
  • Complete the online application form
  • All required supporting materials (personal essay, recommendation letters, resume etc.)
  • Official transcripts (may be mailed separately)

Preference is given to complete electronic submissions through the online application portal.
Applications open: November 2025
Deadline: Jan. 31, 2026

Apply Here

If mailing materials, please use the following address: 920 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Suite 1310, OKC, OK 73104. Do not staple documents or include extra materials (additional recommendation letters, resumes, etc. will not be accepted).

Contact Information
Education, Training and Career Enhancement Core
OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center
E: SCCCRTEC@ouhsc.edu

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U-CARE

The Undergraduate Cancer Research Internship was established in 2022 via funding from the American Cancer Society to advance opportunities to underserved populations in cancer research related careers and immerse the next generation of clinicians and scientists into an experience that will ignite innovation, problem-solving, and skills to assist in addressing issues with cancer prevention, treatment, and care.

Participants receive intensive hands-on training and experience in active cancer research laboratories over 10 weeks. In addition, the scholars also can take part in enrichment sessions, research seminar series, tumor boards, and many other exciting opportunities. During the program, participants gain experience in oral and poster presenting via competitions which builds on their ability to organize, interpret, and communicate research topics.

Program Dates: May 26, 2026 – July 30, 2026
Duration: 10 weeks (full participation required)

Eligibility Requirements

  • A student from an underserved population
  • An undergraduate student who has completed between 60 and 100 credit hours.
  • A United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Willing and able to commit to the program’s entire 10-week time frame
  • Scholars are selected based on aptitude and interest in science and math, academic standing, essays and recommendation letters written as part of the application process

Applications open: November 2025
Deadline: Jan. 31, 2026

Apply Here

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Medical Student Summer Programs

TEIGAN

Through a generous endowment fund from a donor, the TEIGAN Summer Program was implemented in 2023. The purpose of this summer program is to allow for an OU medical student with a passion in women’s oncology to gain insight and experience in clinical and basic research in cancers that affect the female population such as breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial, etc. The medical student joins a research laboratory for 8-weeks and is assigned a project. The student is given the opportunity to be engaged in near-peer mentoring, oral presentations, poster presentations, networking opportunities, and many more activities.

Program Dates: June 9 to Aug. 1, 2026
Stipend: $5,200

Open to current MS1, moving to MS2 for next academic year.

Apply Here

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Aspiring Scientists Engaged in Cancer Treatment (ASCEND)

The Aspiring Scientists Engaged in Cancer Treatment (ASCEND) summer program began in summer of 2024. This program allows for up to 4 OU medical students to engage in clinical and basic research. The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center understands that it is important for future clinicians to also have some basic knowledge in the realm of bench to bedside research.

ASCEND participants dedicate 8-weeks to a mentored research experience with peers and gain laboratory, oral presentation, poster presentation, and mentoring skills along with many other activities.

Program Dates: 2026 dates coming soon
Stipend: $5,200

Open to current MS1, moving to MS2 for next academic year.

Apply Here

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University of Oklahoma Health Programs

The University of Oklahoma Health campus offers several educational experiences for undergraduate students interested in exploring careers in medicine and research. Some of these programs are specifically tailored to students from populations underrepresented in these fields.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

Hosted by the OU Health Campus Graduate College, the SURE Program is aimed at preparing undergraduate students to pursue careers in biomedical research or health-related sciences through hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of University of Oklahoma biomedical faculty mentors.

Learn More

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Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NARCH Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides a research experience for American Indian students affiliated with any Oklahoma Tribe who have completed two years of undergraduate study.

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Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact email SCCCRTEC@ouhsc.edu.

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