Bridging academic experiences to career opportunities
Undergraduate, Graduate, Ph.D. and Post-Doc
Colorado’s academic and research institutions are respected for highly ranked programs in STEM fields. The Institute bridges academic experiences to career opportunities.
Campus Programs
Our programs open up opportunities and build relationships, bringing students and instructors together with professionals in our life sciences ecosystem.
Pairing developing talent with professionals
Mentor Program
The Institute pairs junior and senior undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D.-level students with professionals in life sciences.
During the academic year, students and mentors meet for the purpose of professional development, interactive learning experiences including tours and demos, and networking with leaders in the field.
Professional & Career Development – Students gain an understanding of what it means to be a life sciences professional, working with a variety of companies at different stages of their growth.
Skills & Education Enhancement – The program connects university knowledge to real-world applications by providing access to work environments.
Leadership Development – Experts from Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem demonstrate and share their expertise with the next generation of life science leaders.
Student Qualifications
To qualify for the program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Studying life sciences or interested in a life sciences career
- Undergraduates who are juniors or seniors/graduate students/Ph.D.-level students
- Attending school at any university in Colorado
The purpose of the program is to provide networking opportunities for professional development. Students must commit to attending the scheduled activities and maintaining professional contact with the mentors.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Mentor Program are closed. Please submit an Interest Form to be notified about future opportunities.
As a participant in the mentor program, you are invited to a series of four (4) specialized events. Dates will be available to all interested applicants.
Mentor Qualifications
Mentors interact with students over a five-month period. The Institute asks that mentors:
- Commit to working with 2-5 students during the program.
- Collaborate with The Institute on planning programming.
- Participate in activities that include hybrid, virtual, and in-person: kickoff event, site tours, and one-on-ones with students, among others.
connecting students with companies and opportunities
Life Sciences Industry Showcase
The Life Sciences Industry Showcase connects Colorado life sciences companies to Colorado university talent from undergraduate to post doc to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the state’s life sciences ecosystem.
For 2026, this two-part virtual event will be hosted on February 12th from 2:30-4:30 pm. The first hour will showcase companies in the MedTech and Diagnostics industries and the second hour will showcase Biotech and Pharmaceutical companies.
Participating companies will share about their company, technologies, and talent recruitment initiatives with an overview presentation. Afterward, there will be an opportunity for students, recent graduates, and industry partners to engage in a guided Q&A session.
Companies that are interested in presenting can complete the following form prior to January 31st.
The focus of this Industry Showcase session will be on life sciences internship and/or early career opportunities currently available for undergraduate and graduate students or recent graduates. Our industry partners will also highlight the skills, activities, and experiences that enable early career applicants to stand out at their organizations.
Sign up below to attend the 2026 Industry Showcase.
