Applications are now open for the 2024 Internship Challenge program.
Organizations interested in hosting interns can apply at any time throughout the year to gain access to our database of internship candidates, though registration for each round opens in January. Once approved, organizations can review applications, interview candidates, and select interns. The MLSC will reimburse eligible organizations for pay rates of up to $20 per hour (no less than $18 per hour effective 5/1/25) for a total reimbursement of no more than $9,600 per intern at the conclusion of the internship. Organizations, with the exception of research institutions, can hire up to two interns per Program Year, with the option to hire two additional interns enrolled in a 2-year/community college/certificate program, or federally-designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) such UMass Boston or an Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Research institutions can hire up to six interns per Program Year and a maximum of 2 interns per lab/department, provided that at least three of the six (one per department) are enrolled in a 2-year/community college/certificate program, or MSI.
Please note that if the internship position is hybrid, at least 40% of the internship must be in-person (two days per week at minimum). This must be clearly stated in the offer letter along with the address of the internship location. While some remote work is permitted, in-person participation is essential for the internship experience.
Funding is available on a first-come first-served basis, and allocated only after offer requests are approved by MLSC within the organization application.
Other MLSC-Sponsored Internship Programs
The MLSC also offers an internship program for high school students and an internship program for data scientists. Organizations are automatically provided with access to all three programs:
High School Apprenticeship Challenge: Organizations can hire up to two subsidized high school interns per Program Year, which do not count toward the limit on college interns hired through the Internship Challenge. The MLSC reimburses host organizations for wages between $15 and $17/hour up to $4,080 per intern (based on six weeks of full-time work). Research institutions can select up to 34 interns per Program Year.
Data Science Internship Program: Organizations can hire one subsidized data science intern per program year for a period of up to four months (640 hours), which counts toward the limit on interns hired through the Internship Challenge. The MLSC will reimburse up to $20/hour for interns that are pursuing or have completed their Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in a Master’s program (up to $12,800 per intern), up to $25/hour for interns that have completed their Master’s degree or are enrolled in a doctoral program (up to $16,000 per intern), and up to $30/hour for interns that have completed their Ph.D. (up to $19,200 per intern). Research Institutions can select up to four interns per Program Year with a maximum of two interns per lab/department.
Companies must first create an account in our application portal in order to submit an application:
The Internship Challenge is a workforce development program focused on enhancing the talent pipeline for Massachusetts companies engaged in the life sciences. The program creates hundreds of new paid internships each year for college students and recent graduates interested in life sciences careers. Through an online platform, the program offers employers access to a searchable resume database to help them connect with qualified candidates from across Massachusetts. The program also enables eligible organizations to pay their interns by subsidizing wages up to $9,600 per intern (based on $20 per hour for 12 weeks).
The program seeks to build a robust and diverse workforce pipeline for the state’s life sciences ecosystem by:
Students or recent graduates looking for an internship in the life sciences industry first complete an online application, which includes their resume and a cover letter. Applications are accepted year‐round and expire after six months if not updated.
Representatives from organizations looking to host interns submit an online application, and once approved, are given access to a searchable database of candidates. They review applications, interview candidates, and select interns with the qualifications that are most suited to their needs. Internships can be part or full time and can take place throughout the Program Year, which runs from May 1 through April 30.
The MLSC will reimburse eligible host organizations for pay rates of up to $20 per hour for a total reimbursement of no more than $9,600 per intern at the conclusion of the internship.
The MLSC accepts applications through its website year‐round – there is no application deadline. Applications will only be accepted online and must include a resume and cover letter (in pdf format).
Once submitted, applications are made available to companies reviewing candidates and will remain in our database for up to six months. Applicants have the ability to log in at any time to withdraw or update their application.
Host organizations are required to meet the following:
Organizations interested in hosting interns through this program should first complete the online registration form and proceed to fill out the Host Organization Application. Organizations that are not non-profit research institutions are required to upload a recently issued Certificate of Good Standing from the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth AND a Certificate of Good Standing from the MA Department of Revenue.
MLSC staff will review registration requests to determine eligibility and reply with detailed instructions if approved.
Organizations approved by the MLSC will be provided with access to a searchable database of student resumes. The review of candidates is done exclusively by host organizations, and they will reach out directly if interested in considering them for an internship. The MLSC must provide approval prior to the organization extending an offer, contingent upon verification of the applicant’s eligibility and the availability of funds.
Organizations, with the exception of research institutions, can hire up to two interns per Program Year, with the option to hire two additional interns enrolled in a 2-year/community college/certificate program, or federally-designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) such UMass Boston or an Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Research institutions can hire up to six interns per Program Year and a maximum of 2 interns per lab/department, provided that at least three of the six (one per department) are enrolled in a 2-year/community college/certificate program, or MSI.
Yes, in the event that an intern works less than 50% of the hours initially agreed to, companies can hire a “follow-on” intern to work the remaining hours. The total reimbursement for both the original and follow-on interns is capped at $9,600. Please contact the MLSC team (internship@masslifesciences.com) to receive approval for a follow-on intern and to receive the amendment necessary for reimbursement.
The application must be completed/submitted and approved by MLSC staff in order to be available for review in the database. Please contact MLSC staff at internship@masslifesciences.com to confirm the application status.
Offer requests are reviewed on a regular basis. An automated email will be sent to the organization representative once the offer request is approved. Organizations will be contacted by MLSC staff via email if a request cannot be approved. If a request is taking longer than one week to be approved or denied, please contact internship@masslifesciences.com to follow up.
Actual offers cannot be sent/accepted via the portal. Host organizations must send the intern an offer letter directly. When the offer is accepted, the company must log back into the portal and change the intern’s offer status from “offer approved” to “hired”. Doing so will then prompt organizations to upload the signed offer letter and MLSC Agreement. Please see detailed instructions for selecting interns.
The offer letter must include the internship start date, projected end date, hourly pay rate, internship physical location and explicit mention of the employment being an internship.
Organizations hosting interns are required to execute an Agreement with the MLSC that details program requirements. Companies must attach executed intern offer letters to this Agreement as verification that the intern(s) has/have accepted the position. There is no explicit or implicit commitment on the part of any host company to provide future employment for any intern. The Agreement template is available for download within the application.
Only one Agreement is expected per Program Year which identifies the names of selected interns. For interns selected after the Agreement is fully-executed, an Amendment is required to add the name(s) to Schedule A of the Agreement. The amendment is also used in the event that an intern needs to be removed from the Schedule A or if a follow-on intern is hired to replace an intern that was unexpectedly terminated. If the host organization needs an amendment, please contact the MLSC team at internship@masslifesciences.com.
The MLSC will organizations up to $20 per intern, but organizations are welcome to pay higher rates. For interns earning more than $20 per hour, the reimbursement form will automatically calculate reimbursable hours at the maximum rate of $20 per hour. Effective May 1, 2025, interns must be paid at least $18 per hour.
Interns are to be hired and paid directly by the host organization. Any employed intern shall be treated as W-2 employee (not a 1099 contractor or subcontractor) and preferably paid through a third-party payroll service (e.g., ADP, Paychex, Intuit Payroll). The MLSC will not be able to reimburse for interns not paid as W-2 employees.
If using an internal payroll system (e.g., QuickBooks) in which payroll is not processed by a third party, additional support in the form of signed weekly timesheets will be required. Companies are required to pay their interns at a frequency that is in accordance with Chapter 149, Section 148 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and include in each payment all applicable employment taxes in accordance with state and federal law.
Upon completion of the internship(s), companies must submit the following to the MLSC:
The MLSC will reimburse the company by electronic fund transfer (EFT) within 15-20 business days of receipt of all above-mentioned supporting documentation.
A more detailed description of reimbursement requirements can be downloaded here.
If internships are being reimbursed at different times, please submit a new reimbursement request with only the name of the intern for which you are seeking reimbursement. This arrangement needs to be pre-approved by MLSC staff.
Organizations must request reimbursement for all hours worked through April 30, even if the intern will be working beyond April. If the intern is eligible for the following Program Year, beginning on May 1, they can be “re-hired” under a new Agreement for the new year. The host organization and their intern must each submit new applications for the new Program Year and the intern must be selected in the online portal within the new application. If applicable, new offer letters must be signed and uploaded, or the original offer letter can be re-uploaded if it reflects the hours worked beyond April. Please note that the intern’s Application Submission Number Year must match that of the host organization. The new selection will count as a second internship and it will count toward the organization’s limit for the program year, regardless of how many hours are worked (a follow-on is not permitted in this case).
