We are pleased to announce a 2026 summer programme for Master's degree students at the Early Cancer Institute sponsored by Moderna. The programme will provide an immersive research experience and inspire students to pursue further study, innovation and careers in cancer detection, prevention and interception.
Key details are below, and we expect to open for applications in January 2026.
- The 8-week summer student programme will be held at the Institute from 6 July – 28 August 2026.
- 5 students will be selected to participate in the programme.
- To be eligible to apply, students must be entering their final year of an integrated Master's course in a relevant subject at a UK Higher Education institute in Autumn 2026, or be accepted on a standalone Master's course beginning in Autumn 2026. Relevant subjects include: biological or biomedical sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics). If your application is progressed and you are successful at interview and subsequently offered a place on the Programme, you would need to have the means of being able to enter and work in the UK.
- Students will work on a research project and receive mentoring within one of the Institute's research groups, and will be actively involved in lab meetings and the day-to-day life of the lab.
- Once a week students will also participate in a workshop or seminar designed to improve their skills and learn about areas such as critical analysis of the literature, AI and big data, giving effective scientific presentations, research ethics and integrity, entrepreneurship, and careers.
- Accommodation at a Cambridge college and a stipend will be provided.
About the Early Cancer Institute
As the UK's first institute dedicated to the early detection and interception of cancer, the Institute has a clinically facing, translationally focused mission to improve cancer outcomes. Our community brings together researchers from biological, physical, mathematical, social, medical and computer sciences. These multidisciplinary teams are focused on a singular goal: the prediction and prevention of cancer. Leveraging world-leading expertise across these fields, we are working together to dramatically increase survival rates while reducing healthcare costs across all tumour types – especially those with the poorest outcomes.
Located on the thriving Cambridge Biomedical Campus and affiliated with the CRUK Cambridge Centre, the institute is in the midst of an ambitious building redevelopment, creating a world-class facility purpose-built for the future of early cancer research into which we will be moving in June 2026.
About Moderna
At Moderna, our mission is to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. Since 2010, we have been pioneering the potential of mRNA to develop therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases.
Most notably, these capabilities have come together to enable the authorised use of vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to work relentlessly to deliver on the promise of mRNA science and create a new generation of medicines for patients.
Moderna has made a significant commitment to the UK over ten years as part of our strategic partnership with the UK government. Our new site on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire – the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre – will enhance pandemic preparedness and provide the UK public with access to mRNA vaccines.
As part of our growing focus on oncology and our commitment to scientific collaboration, Moderna is proud to support the Early Cancer Institute's Summer Programme. This initiative reflects our shared belief that early detection and prevention are key to transforming cancer outcomes. By supporting opportunities for emerging researchers to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge laboratories, we aim to help nurture the next generation of scientists whose discoveries will advance understanding of cancer biology and early intervention.
Disclaimer: Moderna is pleased to sponsor the Early Cancer Institute Summer Programme, but all research projects and educational activities are conducted independently under the sole direction of the Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge.