Applications now open for 2027
Inspiring Scientists at Cambridge (ISAC) is a free widening-participation work experience programme for sixth form (year 12) students run by a group of Research Institutes at the University of Cambridge: Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU), Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) and the Sainsbury Laboratory (SLCU). The first three are all part of the School of Clinical Medicine and are located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. They focus on different aspects of health and disease. The Sainsbury Laboratory is part of the School of Biological Sciences and is located in the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden. There is more information about each on their individual websites linked above.
The programme will run over February half term (Monday 15th-Thursday 18th February 2027, 9.30am-4pm each day). It aims to give students who are interested in careers in scientific research or medicine a taste of working in a research lab, as well as guidance on applying to university and an insight into college life in Cambridge.
The programme is open to students in year 12 who are attending state schools in and around Cambridgeshire, and are able to travel to Cambridge daily for the duration of the programme. Please read the following information carefully to ensure that you are eligible before applying.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 20th November 2026
What does the programme involve?
ISAC aims to open up the world of university scientific research and inspire students who are curious about medicine, science and research as future career options. It is designed for students who may be put off applying to Cambridge or other universities because of reduced opportunities or perceived barriers, which may be much more limiting than their actual potential and abilities.
During the week, students will:
- Spend time in a research lab, ‘shadow’ researchers and run their own experiments
- Prepare and deliver a short presentation about the experiments they ran
- Attend interactive seminars to help develop scientific knowledge and skills
- Attend guided tours and demonstrations of scientific core facilities and see some of the different technologies used, such as cutting-edge microscopes
- Spend a day run in partnership with a Cambridge college, including a college tour, lunch in the college dining room, and sessions on how to apply to Cambridge and other universities
- Network with other placement students, admissions staff, postgraduate students, and scientists
We will reimburse reasonable travel costs, including bus and train fares, or petrol expenses if you are driven to Cambridge, but not taxi/ Uber fares. We will also provide lunch. If you do choose to stay in Cambridge overnight, unfortunately we cannot reimburse your accommodation costs.
Who is eligible?
Due to capacity and budget constraints, there are limited places available for ISAC, and, because it is a widening participation initiative, these places will be allocated based on how many of the following specific criteria are met by applicants.
You must fit ALL the following criteria in order for your application to be considered:
- You must be attending a state-funded school
- You must be in year 12 and 16+ years of age
- You must be studying:
- at least two STEM subjects at A level; or
- at least two STEM subjects at higher level as part of the International Baccalaureate; or
- the level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
- You must have grade 7 or higher GCSE (or equivalent) in maths, biology and at least one other science
- You must be able to travel to Cambridge daily for the course of the programme.
You must also fulfil AT LEAST ONE of the criteria in the list below. We will give preference to students who fulfil more than one, with the first two carrying the most weight:
- You are currently, or have been, in local authority care
- You are eligible for free school meals or pupil premium
- You are caring for a family member
- Your parents/ carers did not attend university
- You live in an area with lower participation in higher education (POLAR4 quintiles 1 or 2; we will deduce this from publicly available government data based on the home address you supply – you don’t need to find this out yourself)
- You have experienced significant disruption in your education (eg through illness/ frequently moving schools/ significant relocation)
- Your ethnicity is under-represented at the University of Cambridge (currently this includes young people of Black African, Black Caribbean, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Gypsy, Roma or Traveller origin)
Feedback from previous participants
“I feel much more confident about applying to study a STEM subject at university, than I did before the programme”
“The ISAC programme exceeded my expectations, as the lab work was absolutely brilliant, and also the chance to talk and meet with some of the world's leading researchers”
“It was an amazing opportunity, and had so many good parts, that I would recommend it to anyone thinking about studying Natural Sciences or Medicine, as it can be a decider for which course is right for you, and also to gain an insight into lab work and work beyond university”
How to apply
You can only apply through the on-line form linked below. We cannot accept applications in any other format or from any other route.
You will be asked to answer questions and provide information about you. You will also need to write a short statement about your motivations for applying to join the Inspiring Scientists programme.
Due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee a place for each applicant. There will be a reserve list for applicants in case of unforeseen circumstances.
This is a Widening Participation project of the University of Cambridge, with specific eligibility criteria set out above, and on the CIMR website here. Therefore, priority will be given to applicants who meet the most criteria.
Applications for ISAC are separate and independent from University and College admissions. An unsuccessful application to this programme does not affect your likelihood of being accepted to study at the University of Cambridge or anywhere else.
Each application must include the name and work email address of a nominated teacher at your school. We may contact this teacher following receipt of your application to provide verification of some of the information you provide about your education, and to give a reference. Please make sure your teacher has given their permission to be included in the application and to be contacted by us.
Please only apply if you are available and committed to take part from 9:30 to 16:00 on all four days of the programme (Monday 15th February – Thursday 18th February 2027; half-term week)
Please consider travel time when making your application. The ISAC programme has a very full timetable and we suggest that you do not consider applying if you would need to travel more than 11/2 hours each way. Note that there is now a railway station on the Cambridge Biomedical campus (Cambridge South) which provides much more convenient public transport to CIMR, MBU and IMS. The Sainsbury Laboratory is a 10-minute walk from Cambridge’s main station.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 20th November 2026. We will inform applicants of the outcome of their application by email no later than 5 pm, Tuesday 1st December 2026. You will be asked to accept or decline the offer by 5pm on Friday 4th December.
Data Protection
Information about how your personal data will be used by us in connection with the administration of this activity, and for related purposes, is available at Participant data and booking policies | Undergraduate Study (cam.ac.uk)
Please contact CIMR at engage@cimr.cam.ac.uk with any questions in the first instance.