2026 VCU Biotech/Medtech Internship Program
Achieve 100% Wage Reimbursement for Your Summer Intern
The VCU College of Engineering is partnering with Virginia-based employers to provide high-impact internship opportunities in the engineering fields of Biotech, Medtech, and Pharmaceuticals. By combining university and state funding, eligible employers can hire a VCU student at no net cost for wages.
The Funding Model
- 50% VCU Match: The VCU Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department provides a 50% reimbursement ($2,000) for approved internships.
- 50% State Match: The InternshipsVA program through the VEDP provides a matching 50% reimbursement.
- Total Benefit: 100% of the intern's wages are covered upon completion of the program.
Key Logistics for Summer 2026
- Timeline: The internship much be 10 weeks of work occurring between May 18 and August 14, 2026
- Hours: A part-time schedule totaling 200 hours
- Pay Rate: Suggested at $20 per hour
- Focus Areas: Roles must be engineering-focused within the Biotech, Medtech, or Pharmaceutical sectors
Eligibility Requirements
To be able to receive the wage reimbursements, employers must:
- Complete the required InternshipVA training
- Be a for-profit or a non-profit organization with physical operations in Virginia
- Be registered and in good standing with the State Corporation Commission
- Have 150 or fewer Virginia-based full-time employees
- Provide an internship opportunity with valuable work experience, career knowledge, and mentorship
5 Easy Steps to Participate
- Expression of Interest: Email Rebecca Kurihine, rskurihine@vcu.edu, to receive internship participation intake form and a participation intent form.
- State Consultation: Connect with your InternshipsVA regional manager to ensure eligibility for the state's matching funds.
- Post the Role: Post your internship on VCU’s job and internship board, Handshake. Notify VCU Engineering Career Services so we can help promote it to students.
- Hire & Report: Manage your own interviews and selection. Once a student is hired, email their name to engrcareers@vcu.edu.
- Reimbursement: At the end of the summer, submit your payroll records to both VCU and InternshipsVA to receive your full reimbursement.
Want to hear more? Contact Rebecca Kurihine, Employer Relations Specialist, at rskurihine@vcu.edu.
FAQs
Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the BME undergraduate program at VCU, with plans to return to school in the fall. Students must also be U.S. citizens.
Engineering Career Services will post the ad on VCU’s job and internship board, Handshake, as well as email the ad to eligible students to drive applications.
The employer will pay the student through their usual payroll procedure, and will submit a reimbursement at the conclusion of the internship.
Interested employers should email rskurihine@vcu.edu for application details. Employers must submit a matching grant program application to the InternshipsVA at least two weeks in advance of the internship.
Employers will submit a reimbursement request to both InternshipsVA and to VCU request within 60 days after the end date of the internship period. Employers must have already paid the intern wages before requesting reimbursement. Reimbursement is limited to actual wages paid to the intern by the employer. Payroll taxes are not eligible for reimbursement. Proof of payment for intern wages reflecting gross pay is required for reimbursement.