How to Apply

Pending funding, applications for the CCBP are due each November. Internships will start the following September. Students accepted into this program will earn a stipend ($36,000) and tuition (up to $9,600) for full-time participation in ten-month internships during which they will be trained in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, the City of Hope, the University of California at Irvine, or Aureka Biotechnologies.

Application

Applications for the 2027-2028 CSULB CIRM Bridges Stem Cell Internship are due by 5:00pm November 16, 2026. Internships will run from September 2027 - June 30, 2028.

Components

The application requires the following items:

  1. Completed application form which includes answering the following prompts:
    1. Briefly describe your experience with tissue culture and/or sterile technique.
    2. Briefly describe your future career plans/goals.
    3. Briefly describe your interest in stem cell research.
  2. Current transcript (unofficial copy)
  3. Professional resume including research experience and presentations/publications
  4. A letter of reference from your CSULB faculty research mentor describing your research experience and suitability for this program. Confidential letters can be emailed directly to the Program Director, Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu

When you are ready to apply: CSULB CIRM Stem Cell Internship Application (link not yet available)

Please note, once the admissions committee has reviewed all the applications, qualified candidates for the program will be interviewed. Interviews will be conducted week of November 30, 2026. Admissions decisions will be sent by late December 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Current or previous CSULB student (undergraduate, graduate, or postbaccalaureate)
  • Committed to completing the Biotechnology Certificate Program
  • Successful completion of the following courses by the end of the current Fall semester:
    • Biotechnology: Applications of Molecular Techniques and Bioinformatics (BIOL 477/577)
    • Directed Research in selected laboratories at CSULB (BIOL496/697 or CHEM 496/697)

Other prerequisites/co-requisites (which must be successfully completed by the Spring prior to the internship) include:

  • Molecular Cell Laboratory (BIOL 440L), Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 443), Methods in Microbial Genetics (BIOL 372) or extensive laboratory experience using sterile techniques
  • Stem Cell Biology (BIOL 432/532)
  • Bioethics and Public Policy (BIOL 462/562)
  • Seminars (BIOL 480/580)
  • Biochemistry (CHEM 441B or CHEM 448)
  • Directed Research in selected laboratories at CSULB (BIOL 496/697 or CHEM 496/697)

Additional Information

Admission into the CSULB CIRM Bridges Program is competitive. Students accepted into the program must participate in workshops and outreach activities and enroll in two semesters (Fall and Spring) of Stem Cell Research Internship (BIOL 492A/592A).

Please discuss your plans to apply to this program with the CSULB stem cell program director, Dr. Deborah Fraser prior to applying (Deborah.Fraser@csulb.edu).

Applications for the future years of the program will follow a similar timeline. This internship program is contingent on funding.