How to Apply

Eligibility

For the 2018 summer internship program, undergraduate college students must have completed at least one year of higher education (equivalent to 24 credit hours) by May 2018, be enrolled in a science-related degree program, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Students who have graduated before the start date of the summer internship program, or are currently enrolled in a Master’s program are not eligible.

International students are eligible to apply if they meet the requirements for the program and are legally permitted to work and earn income in the United States. The Institute typically will not sponsor visas for summer-only employment.

If interested in the Medical Student Summer Research Internship Program, please read the eligibility and application details here.

Before You Apply

Please review Van Andel Research Institute’s website to determine your top research areas of interest (epigenetics, neurodegenerative science or cancer and cell biology), as well as identify your top three labs of interest.
Prepare a resume (PDF format) that includes your education, research and volunteer experience, and publications (if any)
Prepare a cover letter (PDF format) to include why you would like to participate in this summer internship and your career goals
Be prepared to upload an unofficial transcript (PDF format) to your application profile. Applicants will be responsible for uploading their college or university transcripts to their online application. Any transcripts received via email or from your institutions transcript delivery service will not be accepted.
Ask two professors/research supervisors to submit letters of recommendation, on college/university letterhead, in PDF electronic format to undergrad@vai.org or mail to:

Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
333 Bostwick Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2518

How to Apply

Complete VAI’s online employment application thoroughly, in addition to uploading your cover letter, resume and unofficial transcript as one complete PDF file. The application period opens in December.

Submit 2018 application by Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2018. All fields must be populated for application to be submitted.

After you Submit, changes may be made to your application by logging in as a previous applicant on the job search page and updating your profile.

Selection process

Completed applications will be reviewed by Van Andel Research Institute faculty at the beginning of February. Applicants selected for interviews are generally contacted by the beginning of March and employment offers are extended by mid-March. If additional summer opportunities become available after this time, waitlisted applications may be considered.

For questions, please email undergrad@vai.org.

Van Andel Institute and/or its affiliated organizations (VAEI and VARI, hereafter collectively called “the Institutes”), through its responsible managers, recruits, hires, upgrades, trains, and promotes in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status, except when an accommodation is unavailable or it is a bona fide occupational qualification.