Charlottesville Biotech Internship Program (CHIP)
The Charlottesville Biotech Internship Program (CHIP) is designed to accelerate students into life science careers.
Through direct placement with high-growth companies in the Commonwealth BioAccelerator and those part of the CvilleBioHub ecosystem, CHIP gives students a front-row seat to how innovation moves from idea to impact. During the 10-week summer experience, rising 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduates and graduate students observe and contribute meaningfully to real work across science, business, and operations inside companies actively building the future of human health.
This is where curiosity turns into capability and industry careers begin to take shape.
About the Program
CHIP is a hands-on, immersive internship experience connecting students with early-stage biotech and life sciences companies across the Charlottesville region.
Over the course of the program, interns work alongside founders, scientists, and operators, gaining exposure to everything from research and development to commercialization strategy.
The experience is intentionally designed to reflect the pace, ambiguity, and opportunity of working inside a growing company.
Interns also participate in cohort-based programming, building connections with peers while gaining broader visibility into the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Why CHIP
Breaking into biotech shouldn’t require guesswork or rely on connections you don’t have yet. CHIP is built to bridge that gap. It provides:
- Real experience inside companies doing meaningful work
- Direct access to founders, mentors, and industry leaders
- Exposure to both scientific and commercial pathways in biotech
- A network that extends well beyond the summer
The result is an experience that is educational, helping interns better understand where they fit
and how they want to grow.
What Interns Gain
CHIP is designed to deliver outcomes that last well beyond a single summer. Interns leave with:
- Practical, hands-on experience inside high-growth biotech companies
- A deeper understanding of how innovation moves from lab to market
- Confidence navigating both scientific and business environments
- Meaningful relationships with peers, mentors, and company leaders
- A clearer sense of their career path and options within life sciences
For many, CHIP becomes a defining moment by transforming academic interest into real-world direction.
Program Structure
CHIP combines company-based internships with cohort programming to create a well-rounded experience.
Interns spend the majority of their time embedded within a host company, contributing to active projects and learning through direct experience. In parallel, they participate in curated sessions, site visits, and events designed to deepen their understanding of the biotech landscape and expand their network.
This dual structure ensures interns gain both depth in their day-to-day work and breadth across the broader ecosystem.
Who Should Apply
CHIP is designed for motivated, curious students interested in exploring careers in biotech, life sciences, and healthcare innovation.
We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds including scientific, technical, and business disciplines, who are excited to learn, contribute, and engage in a fast-moving environment.
Whether considering research, commercialization, or company building, CHIP offers interns a unique opportunity to explore what’s possible.
Program Impact
CHIP is already shaping the future of biotech talent in Charlottesville and beyond.
Alumni of the program have gone on to take founding roles within local startups, such as Luminoah, helping build companies from the ground up. Others have joined leading employers like Epic and other major healthcare and technology organizations, carrying forward the experience and perspective gained during their time in the program.
CHIP interns leave with skills developed, mentorship received, and relationships built during the program which continue to open doors long after the internship ends.
By connecting emerging talent directly with growing companies, CHIP is building a durable pipeline and fueling both individual careers and the long-term strength of the region’s
innovation ecosystem.
How to Apply
Applications for the next CHIP cohort open early each calendar year.
Interested students are encouraged to apply early and come prepared to share their interests, experiences, and curiosity about the future of biotech.
Eligibility & Key Dates
Open to rising 3rd-year, 4th-year undergraduate and graduate students from Virginia higher education institutions with an interest in biotech, life sciences, business, or related fields.
Application Deadline: February 15th, 2026 (Application submission has closed)
Internship Dates: June 2, 2026 to August 8, 2026