Summer Research Experiences for Science Teachers
Partners in Science 2.0 @ Fred Hutch (PS2@FH) is a paid two-summer program for secondary science educators seeking an in-depth, biomedical research experience at Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
PS2@FH supports the professional growth of secondary science teachers and allows them to share insights about biomedical and cancer research with their students. At the same time, Partner teachers contribute to the scientific efforts within Fred Hutch research labs. Our Fred Hutch campus in South Lake Union is within commuting distance to many local school districts in the greater Puget Sound area.
The PS2@FH program pairs each Partner teacher with a Mentor scientist for two consecutive summers of mentored research. It is based on the popular Partners in Science program model developed by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
About the PS2@FH Program
The purpose of the PS2@FH program is to provide Partner teachers with an opportunity to collaborate with a Mentor scientist to deeply influence their own professional practices and develop their identities as scientists. The two-year program includes eight weeks of research annually each summer, as well as travel and attendance at two Murdock conferences annually (August and January). During the summer, Partner teachers will spend most of their time conducting research in their host lab. They will also attend weekly meetings (program meetings, journal club meetings, and lab meetings), and work on scientific communication projects (scientific poster, scientific talk, and optional blog post). PS2@FH is funded through the generous support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The program is limited to teachers who reside and teach in the Murdock Trust's funding region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.
The application for Summer 2026 will be available in December, 2025.
The priority deadline for applications will be March 15, 2026 11:59 pm PST. The priority deadline for the recommendation form will be March 31, 2026 11:59 p.m. PST.
Application Information
The application period runs from December through March annually. For Summer 2026, applications will open in December 2025. The priority deadline for applications will be March 15, 2026 11:59 pm PST. The priority deadline for the recommendation form will be March 31, 2026 11:59 pm PST. Before you apply, we recommend that you review the application PDF to help you prepare to complete the online application. If you encounter questions or problems with the application, contact us at sep@fredhutch.org.
- Before you apply, we recommend that you review the application PDF which has a summary of the application questions. Please note that the PDF is a preview to be used for reference only. Please DO NOT fill out the preview and submit it in place of the online application.
- Complete the online application (above). As part of the application, you will need to upload your resume and provide contact information for a person who will provide a recommendation on your behalf. After submitting the application, an automatic email will be sent to your listed principal/school representative with a link to a Principal Commitment of Support form. Please communicate with your recommender to advise them that the recommendation form is only sent to them after you submit your application. The priority deadline for the recommendation form is March 31, 2026 11:59 pm PST.
- To be considered for the program, you must complete the online application and have the Principal Commitment of Support form completed by the person you identified. Both the application and the Principal Commitment form must be submitted by the deadlines published above.
- If you encounter questions or problems with the application, contact us at sep@fredhutch.org.
PS2@FH is designed for sciences teachers. Teachers who have completed the SEP summer professional development program are particularly encouraged to apply, although this is not a requirement. Preference is for Washington State teachers.
PS2@FH applicants must be:
- A middle or high school science teacher (Grades 6-12)
- Currently reside and teach in the Murdock Trust's funding region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska
- Currently employed
- Achieved a Baccalaureate degree in a scientific discipline (undergraduate major)
- Available for the entire duration of the program, including two consecutive summers of full-time, 8-weeks, in-person participation in Seattle, WA
- Available to travel to two Partners in Science conferences annually (August and January); financial support for conference travel is provided
In addition, please note that a social security number (SSN) or tax identification number (TIN) is required on intake forms. The program is designed for local teachers and therefore travel and housing accommodations are not provided for non-local teachers.
Teachers will negotiate the exact times and dates of their research experience with their Mentor scientist and the PS2@FH Program Manager. For Summer 2026, the program will run June 29 - August 21, 2026 (with some flexiblity as needed to accommodate school calendars). Expect to spend 8 weeks, 40 hrs/week devoted to the program for two consecutive summers. This is inclusive of time spent conducting lab-based research, attending lab and program meetings, and working on scientific communication projects. In addition, participation is required at two Murdock conferences annually (August and January).
Dates for the 2026 Partners in Science 2.0 @ Fred Hutch program:
- PS2@FH Virtual Orientation: TBD, May 2026 on Zoom
- Teacher/Mentor Dinner: TBD, June 2026 at Fred Hutch
- Summer 2026 Program: June 29 - August 21, 2026 at Fred Hutch
- Partners in Science Teaching Practices Conference: July 28-31 (in Vancouver, WA)
- SEP Fall Kick-off: TBD, September 2026, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm+ at Fred Hutch
- Partners in Science Research Symposium: January 2027, exact dates TBD (usually in Portland, OR)
First year Partner teachers are expected to:
- Work on a biomedical sciences research project with their mentor during the summer
- Attend weekly check-in meetings, lab meetings, journal/book club meetings, etc. during the summer
- Attend the Partners in Science Teaching Practices Conference in July
- Develop a research poster to present at the Partners in Science Research Symposium in January
Second year Partner teachers are expected to:
- Work on a biomedical sciences research project with their mentor during the summer
- Attend weekly check-in meetings, lab meetings, journal/book club meetings, etc. during the summer
- Attend the Partners in Science Teaching Practices Conference in July
- Develop an oral presentation on their research project to present at the Partners in Science Research Symposium in January
Participant Award: The participant award available for participation in the two-year program is up to $13,000 total ($6,500 annually at completion of summer activities).
Transportation Support: In addition, the program also supports public transportation and/or parking costs specifically related to participation in program activities on the Fred Hutch campus by providing an ORCA transit card and/or parking pass in a Fred Hutch parking garage (please inquire for more details on public transportation and parking costs).
Classroom Supply Grant: In addition, at the completion of two summers of research and at the discretion of the PS2@FH Program Manager, Partner teachers may apply to receive a Classroom Innovation Grant (up to $7,500 per teacher).
Conference Travel: Additional funding is provided to support travel to two required Murdock conferences annually (August and January).
Unfortunately, we are not able to cover the costs of meals, lodging, or mileage related to participation in the summer program.
Choosing Between our Professional Development Programs
PS2@FH will appeal to science teachers who want to immerse themselves in a biomedical research-focused experience, discover the process of science, and develop their identities as scientists. PS2@FH participants will also become part of the larger community of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust's Partners in Science program and attend their two conferences each year. Alternatively, the Hutch Fellowship for Excellence in STEM Teaching is another summer research experience for science and STEM teachers that involves a cancer-focused research experience paired with the design of innovative cancer-focused curriculum materials. It is a good fit for teachers who enjoy curriculum design, writing, and pilot testing and seek to make deep connections between their research experience and classroom practice. The SEP Summer Session professional development program is a 3-week summer program focused on developing teachers’ molecular biology skills and pedagogical practices and provides access to the SEP Kit Loan Program. While not a requirement, we encourage teachers to complete the SEP program before applying for the HTF or PS2@FH research experience programs. For more information on the PS2@FH and how it differs from our other professional development programs for science teachers, please visit our teacher website.
View a Comparison of PS2@FH and our Other Summer Teacher Programs
Questions?
Contact Senior Program Manager of Teacher Research Dr. Kristen Bergsman