Host an Onramp intern this summer
Project Onramp connects talented, under-resourced college students with paid internships across the life sciences ecosystem, from pharma and biotech to healthcare and beyond. Companies host interns using their existing HR process. Students gain real experience, mentorship, and income. Philadelphia gains a stronger workforce pipeline.
We coordinate the candidate pipeline and wraparound support so your team can focus on the work and delivering a strong internship experience.
Why host through Project Onramp?
Simple, paid internships. Strong candidates. A talent pipeline that reflects our region.
Expanded workforce pipeline
Meet motivated students across a range of majors, from lab science to finance, marketing, and project management. If you have a position, we have students for you.
Leadership development
Hosting creates mentoring moments for your team. Managers build coaching skills, and interns bring energy and perspective that strengthens culture.
Community impact
Paid internships unlock access. When students can earn income and gain experience, the pipeline has more opportunities and our region becomes stronger.
The Opportunity Gap
Real barriers. Real talent.
Bright, motivated students attend local universities in the Greater Philadelphia region, but lack access and networks in the industry. Many are first-generation students or youth of color who want to gain access to the industry, pursue meaningful careers, and build financial stability.
In recent years, funding for paid internships has been at risk, putting students in the impossible position of choosing between earning income or gaining experience. Students can’t afford to work unpaid, and that perpetuates the opportunity gap in the workforce pipeline.
Support the Intern Fund
Donations help make hosting possible in Greater Philadelphia by funding stipends and local support, especially for smaller companies and nonprofits, and by covering real-world needs like transportation and meals.
The process is simple
It’s time to meet exceptional students and open doors. Here’s what hosting looks like.
Reserve or create a paid position
Ideally 8–12 weeks (full-time preferred), but we can talk through what’s realistic for your team.
Fill out our job description template
We’ll help you tighten the scope, define outcomes, and make sure it’s intern-ready.
We return qualified resumes within 14 days
We coordinate the candidate pipeline and keep the process moving.
Hire using your existing HR process
You onboard the intern the way you normally would. We stay close to support the student through the experience.
Interns already hired? No problem.
Supplement your existing internship programming at no cost by opting eligible students into Onramp support.
Easy opt-in for students
Include our flyer in your intern onboarding or HR packet. Pell Grant–eligible students opt in with a simple email.
Training + support
Late May through early August, students receive professional development, mentoring, and wraparound support through Project Onramp.
What Onramp students receive (when you hire through Onramp)
Exclusive programming designed to help students thrive and connect with the industry.
Allow students to attend at least 4 one-hour webinars and support paid participation in 2 in-person networking events.
Where Onramp interns can fit
Roles span research and non-research functions. If you have meaningful work and a mentor touchpoint, we can build the rest.
Mission moment: from caregiver to changemaker
A real example of what a paid internship can unlock.
Alain’s journey
After caring for his father with diabetes, Temple student Alain Sto Domingo was inspired to pursue a career in biopharma. Through Project Onramp, he landed internships at GSK and Paratek, gaining vital skills, mentorship, and income to support his family. Today, Alain works full-time at his host company, Paratek Pharmaceuticals.
Quick questions
Short answers for teams exploring hosting for the first time.
Do we have to be a corporate partner to host?
Is this in-person only?
What’s the lift on our HR team?
Can we support internships even if we can’t host?
2025 Impact snapshot
Want to host or support a student?
If you can reserve a paid internship, we’ll bring you qualified candidates and keep the process moving. If hosting isn’t possible this year, the Intern Fund helps keep paid opportunities available for students in Greater Philadelphia.
The College of Physicians