The NIIMBL eXperience is an exclusive in-person, all expenses paid immersion program that offers students real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals.
Key program goals:
Deadline: February 5, 2026
The program is open to first and second year college students. Students must be actively enrolled in a degree program. Participation is limited to domestic students living within the United States.
238 students from 144 academic institutions since 2019
86 host organizations
5 regional teams selected for 2026
NIIMBL is excited to announce that five organizations have been selected to host a NIIMBL eXperience during the summer of 2026. The organizations, representing different geographic regions of the United States, will host a unique eXperience week next summer, designed to introduce first- and second-year college students to rewarding career options in the biopharmaceutical industry.
May 31-June 6, 2026
Bienvenidos / Welcome to Puerto Rico!
The NIIMBL eXperience @PRSTRT is an exclusive, premier, all-expenses-paid immersion program. This unique opportunity is specifically designed for first- and second-year STEM university and community college students. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico provides a vibrant tropical setting and a strategic position within global supply chains, making it a critical player in the worldwide biopharmaceutical landscape. The future of biopharma isn’t just about what’s coming next, but where it’s happening.
Over the course of this week-long program, participants will be fully engaged in hands-on training, exploring biomanufacturing processes at the Science City of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT). This immersive experience will offer students real-world insights into cutting-edge developments in the biopharma sector. Exclusive site visits to industry leaders such as Amgen, Lilly, AbbVie, CytoImmune, and Brystol Myers Squibb will further enhance their understanding and excitement about the industry. Alongside technical skills, students will take part in professional development workshops focused on resume building, networking, and career preparation, with a special emphasis on diversity in STEM.
Aiming to inspire students, this program empowers participants to open doors to STEM careers while building the confidence and connections they need to pursue these paths enthusiastically. All travel, housing, meals, and program expenses are fully covered, and participants will receive a $1,000 stipend. The NIIMBL eXperience @PRSTRT not only offers a career-defining opportunity but also invites students to experience the beauty and strategic importance of Puerto Rico—where biopharmaceutical manufacturing is in our DNA and continues to thrive at the forefront of the global industry.
June 21-27, 2026
Santa Clara University (SCU) is excited to host a one-week experiential program designed to inspire and support college students in their exploration of biotechnology. Participants will build data analytics skills, visit leading corporate labs and production facilities, network with professionals, and hear from experts about the grand challenges and opportunities in biopharmaceutical manufacturing as the industry scales a new generation of breakthrough therapies. The program will take place starting on Sunday, June 21, 2026, through Saturday, June 27, 2026, and will be hosted on the SCU campus in Santa Clara, California.
In partnership with Biocom Institute (Biocom California’s education and workforce training arm), Genentech, Inc. (biopharma manufacturer), and Agilent, Inc. (advanced instrumentation and analytical tools), the program will provide participants insights into a wide range of career paths, critical skills, and professional roles that intersect with the biopharmaceutical “factory of the future” and how that future will transform patient lives and make a compelling societal impact. Through a series of industry visits, technical sessions, panels, professional mentoring, and connections to internship pipelines, the program is designed to support students from a variety of disciplines, including biology, bioengineering, computer engineering, and life sciences to accelerate and activate their careers in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
June 7-13, 2026
University of Houston – a Tier One, minority–serving institution – is thrilled to welcome regional college students to NIIMBL Experience @ UH, a five-day learning program designed to introduce students to promising careers in biomanufacturing and motivate them to pursue degrees in biotechnology and related sciences. Greater Houston is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich regions in the country, a richness reflected in the dynamic student population at the University of Houston.
The immersive NIIMBL Experience @ UH is scheduled from June 8-12, 2026. Guided by experienced instructors, students will engage in lectures and hands-on training focused on operating bioreactors for biologics production and performing downstream protein purification using chromatography. The itinerary includes visits to several prominent companies, including Hope Biosciences, which is engaged in manufacturing stem cells for lupus and traumatic brain injury, Neurogene, which develops gene therapy for rare neurological disorders, Immatics, which engineers T-cells to fight cancer, and Lonza Biologics, a world-renowned contract manufacturer for cell and gene therapy drugs for sickle cell anemia and other hereditary disorders.
Students will engage with industry professionals and gain insights into their diverse roles within their organizations, the career trajectories that they pursued, and the employment prospects in biomanufacturing. Company visits are designed to provide plenty of networking opportunities and offer crucial advice on navigating corporate cultures. We will be touring the Texas Medical Center, where many hospitals serve as pivotal research and clinical trial centers for testing investigational drugs. The TMC Innovation Center and the J&J Innovation Labs house many startup companies dedicated to pioneering medicines for the future. Additionally, distinguished experts will guide students on enhancing personal branding and crafting winning resumes. Speakers from NSBE and SHPE will share their invaluable experiences as minority professionals in the STEM field and inspire students toward success.
June 21-27, 2026
The NIIMBL eXperience @Wistar is an immersive weeklong program designed for undergraduate students to delve into biotechnology. Held from Sunday June 21st to Friday June 26th at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia—America’s first independent biomedical research institute and a leader in cancer, immunology, and infectious disease research—this program offers hands-on laboratory training, industry insights, and valuable networking opportunities.
Participants will gain practical experience in cutting-edge laboratory techniques essential for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. The program introduces the complete lifecycle of a biotechnology company, including academic research, company formation, financing, clinical trials, regulatory approval, and commercial manufacturing. Students will also explore Philadelphia’s vibrant life science ecosystem through tours of local biotech firms and interactions with industry professionals.
Networking sessions will provide opportunities for candid discussions with early-career professionals about their experiences in the biotechnology field. Additionally, students will create a practical roadmap outlining steps for their career advancement and receive support in applying to future programs. The NIIMBL eXperience @Wistar aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the life science industry, inspire confidence in pursuing biotechnology careers, and build professional networks to support their career development.
Participants will receive a $1000 stipend. Travel and hotel accommodations, and meals are provided.
May 31-June 6, 2026
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) CellTech Institute is thrilled to invite first and second-year domestic undergraduate students to participate in our inaugural week-long NIIMBL eXperience Program. This biopharmaceuticals manufacturing career immersion program is designed to empower the next generation of innovators! Our program will be held at WPI from May 31 through June 6, 2026. The program is free to participants who will also receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Apply today to take part in hands-on learning experiences leading to a micro-credential, site visits to biomanufacturing companies and a life science incubator, networking with industry experts, and be introduced to and utilize emerging technologies.
Worcester, Massachusetts is where historic industrial manufacturing meets today’s biomanufacturing revolution. WPI’s campus legacy of textile and machinery mills has given way to cutting-edge biotech startups, pharmaceutical companies, and biomanufacturing incubators. Our program combines this legacy and immersive experiences to showcase past successes, current achievements, and the boundless potential of future biomanufacturing innovations in New England, the heart of innovation.
Are you interested in hosting NIIMBL eXperience students this summer? The regional NIIMBL eXperience may have openings for you to participate. Contact us to learn more.
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We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.
