OPALS

UC San Diego Institute of Engineering in Medicine (UCSD IEM)

Program overview

Current high school and community college students with curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM, especially those interested in research at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and artificial intelligence.

Eligibility

Current high school and community college students; minimum age 14 (priority to applicants 16+); application materials include unofficial transcript, personal statement, resume, and reference contacts. Housing and transportation not provided.

Key details

Organization
UC San Diego Institute of Engineering in Medicine (UCSD IEM)
Type
High school internship/research program
Location
UC San Diego (Summer session in person at UC San Diego; Spring session location/format not specified). Housing and transportation not provided.
Format
in-person
Eligible grades
Current high school students, Community college students
Application deadline
Spring 2027: November 30, 2026; Summer 2027: April 18, 2027
Cost
Application fee: $65; program fee: $3,000 (listed for Spring/Summer 2026). Limited scholarships available for Summer Program. Housing and transportation not provided. Voluntary donations accepted.
Time commitment
Spring: 2–4 hours per week; Summer: 9 AM–4 PM Monday–Friday for four weeks.
Application status
Spring 2027 application opens September 27, 2026; Summer 2027 application opens February 1, 2027. First-come, first-served.

How to apply

Apply on the program's own site. Details here were read from that page and can change — confirm them there before applying.

Official program page