# UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy

Free 7-week summer research internship in Pittsburgh pairing high school students (15+) with University of Pittsburgh mentors for 30-35 hours a week of biomedical or computational cancer research; stipends for eligible students.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | UPMC Hillman Cancer Center / University of Pittsburgh |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Time commitment | ~35 hours/week |
| Apply | https://hillmanacademy.upmc.com/apply-now/ |

## About this program

# UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy

The Hillman Academy is the flagship high school research program of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh. Over seven summer weeks, students work with a Pitt faculty, staff, or trainee mentor to perform authentic research in a biomedical or computational domain, spread across nine research sites on the Pitt and UPMC campuses - from cancer biology and pathobiology to computational biology and surgery.

## What You'll Do

- Conduct mentored research 30-35 hours per week in a working lab or office (a small number of computational internships run remotely)
- Choose among sites including CompBio, COSBBI, Surgery, Cancer Biology, TDX, Pathobiology, ICI, VISION, and WCRC
- Attend professional development sessions and build scientific communication skills
- Present your summer research at the program's closing symposium

## Who Should Apply

High school students in good academic standing; applicants must be at least 15 by the program start for computational sites and at least 16 for laboratory sites. Graduating seniors may apply if not enrolled in college courses during the session. The 2026 session ran June 15 - July 31 with applications open December 3, 2025 - February 15, 2026; the next cycle typically opens in early December. Participation is free, and stipends are offered to qualified students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedicine.

## Outcomes

Alumni leave with a mentored research project at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a symposium presentation, and lab experience that anchors competitive college applications in the sciences.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy cost?

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy?

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy online or in person?

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy is an in-person program based in Pittsburgh, PA. Expect a time commitment of roughly 35 hours per week.

### How do I apply to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy?

Apply directly through UPMC Hillman Cancer Center / University of Pittsburgh's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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