Invest in Your Future: Join the iCLEM Summer Program! Click Here to Apply
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is a paid summer science intensive for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors. The program seeks to broaden students’ understanding of biotechnology, microbiology, and biomanufacturing. In addition to completing a research project, the program exposes students to career exploration and prepares them for the college application process.
To be eligible for iCLEM, you must meet all the following requirements. Due to the nature of our program funding, we are unable to make any exceptions:
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Be 16 years old by June 15, 2026.
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Have an annual household income of less than $120,800 for a family of 4 if you live in Alameda or Contra Costa counties, or $156,650 for a family of 4 if you reside in San Francisco County. Additional income guidance can be found in the chart below. We use the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development definition for low-income which is 80% or less of an area’s median income.
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Be currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior in high school.
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Be a resident of Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County.
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Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
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Have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology.
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Commit to one prep week: June 8 – June 12, 2025 (mostly virtual) to complete required trainings and orientations.
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Commit to being in-person in our laboratories in Emeryville, CA: June 15 – July 24, 2026.
Program Details for Summer 2026:
- One prep week: June 8 – June 12, 2026 (mostly virtual) to complete required trainings and orientations.
- Six weeks of in-person research in our laboratories in Emeryville, CA: June 20 – August 1, 2026.
Program Highlights:
• Receive a stipend of $3,000 for the program from June 8, 2025 to July 24, 2026.
• Complete a hands-on, real-world research project in a state-of-the-art laboratory mentored by JBEI researchers and UC undergrads.
• Learn fundamental concepts in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biofuels, and synthetic biology.
• Prepare for the college admission process – write and revise a personal statement and learn about admissions requirements and financial aid.
• Explore careers through discussions with STEM professionals and visits to local biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
• Gain skills and confidence in communicating scientific research.Items Required for the application:
- A current transcript
- Personal Statement – describe yourself, your life goals, and the world you come from – your family, your school, or community. Tell us how the world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
- Why are you applying for iCLEM statement – Tell us why you are a good fit for the iCLEM program and why you are interested in the program.
- Name and email address of a teacher who is willing to provide a letter of reference upon request.
Please begin the application process early to ensure you have time to complete all components of the application. We are unable to accept late applications. While the application process is rigorous, we place primary importance on the student’s background, teachers’ recommendations, and the student’s strong desire to do science and work hard during the summer. The student’s academic record is considered, but it is not the only factor in our selection process.
For students who do not meet our requirements, we recommend the following resources to find summer internships for high school students:
Berkeley Lab K-12 High School Student Opportunities
For questions about the iCLEM program, please contact Robert ‘Bob’ Haushalter ([email protected])
