and we’re back! In today’s newsletter, here are a few paid early career programs for those pursuing post-graduate degrees in med/dental school, and similar master’s programs in health. These are intended for those taking a gap year OR want to get ahead. For some programs, applications are opening soon - so mark your calendars! 

You need to care about your career more than anyone else, so that requires being self-sufficient and having agency! Don’t wait till the last minute to get serious about landing a Spring 2027 or Summer 2027 internship.

Here’s my toolkit:

With Fall recruiting season upon us, I dropped a mini masterclass on YouTube on how to land early career opportunities! It’ll mean the world if you check it out and subscribe. As always, jam-packed with actionable, tangible resources

📍 New York City · Columbia University
💰 Fully funded fellowship · Fall 2027
🎓 HBCU seniors + recent graduates applying to eligible Columbia SPS master’s programs
📅 Deadline: January 7, 2027
⚠️ Must enroll full-time and on campus in an eligible Columbia SPS master’s program

The opportunity:
The Columbia HBCU Fellowship supports students pursuing an eligible master’s degree at Columbia with full tuition, housing accommodations, and a semesterly stipend. Fellows also receive mentorship, professional development, internship opportunities, and career support through Columbia’s School of Professional Studies.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

📍 Atlanta, Georgia · Morehouse College + public health partner placements
💰 Stipend + housing + round-trip travel covered · 11 weeks
🎓 Current college juniors, seniors + recent graduates within one year · 2.7+ GPA
📅 Applications not open yet - bookmark your calendars
⚠️ Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident currently residing in the U.S.

The opportunity:
The Lewis Scholars’ IMHOTEP Project combines public health coursework with hands-on research experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, scientific writing, occupational safety, and health. Participants complete a research project alongside public health professionals while receiving mentorship, six college credit hours, a stipend, housing, and round-trip travel support.

→ LEARN MORE

📍 NIH campuses · Including Bethesda, Maryland
💰 Paid, full-time research position · Stipend + health insurance supplement
🎓 Recent bachelor’s + master’s graduates interested in healthcare, STEM + research
📅 Applications open year-round · Apply ~6 months before your preferred start date
⚠️ Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet degree timing requirements

The opportunity:
Spend one or two years conducting full-time research at NIH after graduation. Postbacs work directly with a Principal Investigator in biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences while receiving professional development and career advising, plus a stipend, health insurance supplement, and a $1,500 relocation benefit for eligible fellows.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

📍 Westborough, Massachusetts · On-site
💰 $30–$34/hour · Paid internship
🎓 Bachelor’s or higher-degree students in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering + related fields
⚠️ Basic biomolecule knowledge + familiarity with laboratory practices required

The opportunity:
Cytiva’s R&D Internship offers hands-on laboratory experience in bioprocessing and new product development. Interns work alongside scientists and engineers on filtration technologies and biomolecular analysis while building experience in sample preparation, microscopy, imaging analysis, solution preparation, equipment setup, data collection, and reporting.

→ APPLY

📍 Multiple U.S. regions · In-person, remote + hybrid opportunities
💰 Paid, full-time internship · 10 consecutive weeks
🎓 Undergraduates + recent graduates up to 3 years out of college · All majors welcome
📅 Applications not available yet
⚠️ Internship must be your primary summer commitment

The opportunity:
Health Career Connection matches students with paid healthcare and public health internships based on their interests and career goals. Placements span hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, consulting, biotech, community health, and more, with participants also receiving mentorship, professional development, networking, and health professions school preparation.

→ APPLY/LEARN MORE

📍 Chicago area · Northwestern Medicine
💰 Paid + benefits-eligible · 13-month, full-time program
🎓 Recent bachelor’s graduates planning to apply to medical school within 1–3 years
📅 Application: December 5–26, 2025
⚠️ Must commit to 40 hours/week for 13 months

The opportunity:
Northwestern Medicine’s Pre-Med Gap Year Internship combines clinical experience, research, and medical education for future medical students. Interns spend 32 hours per week in patient-facing roles and eight hours conducting research, alongside faculty lectures and rounds across specialties including cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, and more.

→ APPLY/LEARN MORE

📍 Portland, Oregon · OHSU
💰 Paid research internship · Undergraduates earn $15/hour or current minimum wage
🎓 High school students, undergraduates + recent undergraduate graduates interested in dentistry/oral health
📅 2027 applications open November 2026
⚠️ Must be at least 16 · Program length varies by educational level

The opportunity:
OHSU’s School of Dentistry offers paid, mentored research experience in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. Interns can explore dental public health, orthodontics, biomaterials, the oral microbiome, tissue engineering, and more while developing research skills, working with experienced mentors, and presenting their findings.

→ LEARN MORE

📍 Richmond, Virginia · VCU Health Campus
💰 Free program + free on-campus housing + food stipend · 6 weeks
🎓 College juniors, seniors, graduates + post-baccalaureate students · 2.75+ GPA
📅 Early Decision: February 1, 2026 · Regular: March 15, 2026
⚠️ Choose one track: Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Physical Therapy

The opportunity:
VCU’s SAEP is a six-week academic experience that simulates the first year of health professional school. Participants study anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology within their chosen track while receiving faculty mentorship, learning workshops, mock interviews, professional school preparation, and community service opportunities.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

📍 Chapel Hill, North Carolina · UNC-Chapel Hill
💰 Competitive stipend + on-campus lodging + educational supplies · 8 weeks
🎓 Rising sophomores + juniors interested in medical or dental school · 3.0+ GPA
⚠️ Must be 18+ and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident · NC residents receive preference

The opportunity:
UNC’s S.E.P. is an eight-week honors-level academic program for future medical and dental students. Scholars complete 150+ hours of science and quantitative instruction alongside healthcare shadowing, facility visits, professional networking, test and interview preparation, and pathway-specific pre-medical or pre-dental coursework.

→ LEARN MORE

📍 Kansas City, Missouri · UMKC Health Sciences Campus
💰 Free program + potential stipend and/or scholarship support
🎓 Current high school seniors through post-baccalaureate students · 3.0+ GPA
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
⚠️ Must participate in the 6-week summer experience + academic-year program · Housing not provided

The opportunity:
UMKC’s STAHR Collegiate Scholars Program combines clinical observation, faculty-mentored research, community service, and professional development with yearlong mentorship. After the six-week summer experience, scholars receive continued coaching and application preparation through April, plus networking, admissions workshops, and potential special admissions benefits.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

📍 Dallas, Texas · Texas A&M College of Dentistry
💰 Stipend + eligible housing, supplies + DAT fee support · 6 weeks
🎓 Pre-dental college students + graduates · 60+ semester hours · 2.75+ GPA
📅 Deadline: January 31, 2026 · Program: May 18–June 26, 2026
⚠️ Must meet citizenship/residency + program eligibility criteria

The opportunity:
Texas A&M’s SPEP Collegiate II is a six-week pre-dental program designed to strengthen dental school readiness. Participants receive DAT preparation, hands-on pre-clinical experience, learning strategy training, admissions counseling, and access to dental students, faculty, and administrators, plus financial and program support.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

📍 Detroit, Michigan · School of Dentistry
💰 Fully funded · Free housing + DAT prep + transportation + stipend · 4 weeks
🎓 College seniors + recent graduates pursuing dentistry · 3.0+ science and overall GPA
📅 Deadline: March 6, 2026 at 5 PM EST · Program: May 27–June 26, 2026
⚠️ Juniors are not eligible · Must live on campus + attend the full program

The opportunity:
Detroit Mercy Dental’s SEP is a four-week residential Early Admissions Pathway featuring intensive DAT prep, academic enrichment, simulation labs, clinical observation, mentorship, and admissions preparation. Selected students are interviewed during the program and may earn conditional admission to Detroit Mercy’s dental school after meeting program and admissions requirements.

→ APPLY / LEARN MORE

Forward them this email. Sometimes getting ahead in your career starts with knowing an opportunity exists in the first place.

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Wishing you the best of luck bestiessssss. As always, subscribe and connect with me on Linkedin, Tik Tok, Instagram, and now YouTube!

See you next week,
Jade