The Jackson Laboratory welcomes applications from high school juniors and seniors, and undergraduate students interested in a research fellowship during the academic year.
A limited number of in-person research opportunities are available at:
Online applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 24, 2026. Most academic-year research projects start in the fall and continue through late spring.
Application guidelines and fellowship requirements are described below.
Students join a JAX research group and learn and practice the technical skills necessary to become a productive member of the research team. They also develop personal skills including, problem-solving, effective scientific communication, time management, and teamwork. Working with their mentor, students design an independent research project within the scope of the lab’s ongoing research program. Mentors include JAX faculty, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and other biomedical research professionals.
Over the course of the fellowship, students will experience all aspects of research, from experimental design, to data analysis, to reporting results. Fellows will meet with lab members and with program staff to share results, learn new skills, and build their community of student scientists.
Academic credit. Academic year fellowships are not about ‘volunteering in a lab’. An Academic Year Fellowship must be tied to the student’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit from the student’s home institution. JAX itself is not a credit-granting institution. In this application, applicants will need to supply the name and contact information of an academic sponsor at their home institution who agrees to:
Time commitment. Participants are expected to make a serious commitment to spend significant time at the Laboratory each week in order to gain a meaningful experience that allows for the development of an independent research project. Fellowships require a minimum commitment of 180 hours during normal business hours. Participation in certain time-intensive extracurricular activities (performing arts and sports) in addition to heavy coursework typically does not allow adequate time to fulfill the requirements of the fellowship. Those appointed as Academic Year Fellows will furnish their lab schedule to their mentor, the AYF Program Director, and their institutional sponsor at the beginning of each term.
Compensation. The Jackson Laboratory does not pay students who are appointed as Academic Year Fellows.
High school students must be enrolled as juniors or seniors in good standing at a high school. Only students 16 years and older may apply. High school students must commit to the fellowship for a full academic year; partial year fellowships cannot be accommodated. All fellows must spend a minimum of 180 hours at the Laboratory as part of the fellowship. Concurrent to a JAX Academic Year Fellowship, students must be enrolled in an independent study or student research program for which credit is awarded. Additionally, students under 18 must have parental permission to participate in the Academic Year Fellowship.
College students must be enrolled as undergraduate students in good standing with their home institution. Admissions preference is given to undergraduate applicants who can commit to a year-long academic project. Only students 16 years and older may apply. All fellows must spend a minimum of 180 hours at the Laboratory as part of the fellowship experience. Concurrent to a JAX Academic Year Fellowship, students must be enrolled in an independent study or student research program for which credit is awarded.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis until August 24, 2026, and most fellowships will be awarded in the fall semester.
Students must submit an online application form, including a current transcript, a teacher recommendation, and an academic sponsor certification. Those under 16 must also have parental consent to participate as a part of their application.
We will not evaluate applications until all required elements have been completed.
Laura Muller, Ph.D.
Program Director, Undergraduate and STEM Education
[email protected]
Sarah Wojiski, Ph.D.
Program Director
[email protected]
