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CRISSP Details

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Applications for Summer 2025 are now closed. Applications for summer 2026 will open in December.

2025 Program

The 2025 program will take place from Monday, June 2 to Friday, August 8. Students receive a $5,000 stipend and free housing. Need-based travel awards will be distributed to eligible students based on availability. Thirty students are selected each summer. CRISSP is partially funded by R25HD101365 from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

If accepted, interns must participate in the entire 10-week program, attend all mandatory events, and abide by all Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and CRISSP guidelines.

Eligibility

All full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors graduating in the spring are eligible provided they meet the following criteria:

  • Are currently enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university at the time of application
  • Have a minimum 3.3 overall GPA
  • Are interested in research related to child health and wellness
  • Are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

Please Note: Freshman are not eligible to apply

If you are not eligible for CRISSP, please visit Internships in Research for information on other opportunities.

Research Experience

CRISSP students spend the majority of their summer immersed with their research team, learning skills and techniques, and completing an independent research project. Opportunities are available in basic/translational, clinical, and behavioral research teams. Applicants will select the track that most interests them when applying and selected students will be assigned to a mentor within their chosen research track. Clinical shadowing opportunities are available to all students regardless of research track. A description of each track as well as examples of research projects are listed below.

Basic research is most often conducted in a laboratory setting that is designed to enhance our scientific knowledge base (does not involve human subjects). Translational research is focused on bringing concepts in laboratory research directly into medical practice (may or may not involve human subjects).

Example Basic Research Projects

  • Examining Cellular and Viral DNA Replication Dynamics During Virus Infection
  • Investigating Sex Differences in Phenotypical Severity and Genetic Burden in Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Unraveling Methodologies to Model Genetic Cerebellar Disorders: Spinocerebellar Ataxia Autosomal Recessive 20 and Beyond

Example Translational Research Projects

  • Characterizing Cross Correction in Ex Vivo Gene Therapy for Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency
  • Isolating Targets of Combined DFMO & TGF-βR1 Inhibitor Treatment in High-Risk Neuroblastoma
  • Utilizing RNA Sequencing to Determine Molecular Cause of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome In Clinically Diagnosed Patients

Patient-oriented research examining the safety and effectiveness of diagnostics, medicines or medical devices (may involve human subjects or data collected from human subjects).

Example Research Projects

  • Beneath the Surface: 18 FDG PET Sheds Light on Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma and Lymph Nodes
  • Infant Feeding Decision Making for Women Living with HIV Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
  • Multi-Organ Transplants in Pediatrics: A Case Series

Patient-oriented research that involves the application of social science concepts to better understand principles of human behavior (may involve human subjects or data collected from human subjects).

Example Research Projects

  • Childbirth trauma and maternal caregiving behaviors in Black vs. non-Latino/a/e/x White birthing individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Exploring the Relationship Between Percentage of Goal Weight and Eating Behaviors in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
  • Social Vulnerability Factors and Developmental and Psychosocial Maturity in Adolescent and Young Adult Attitudes towards Cancer Clinical Trials
 

The Training Experience

CRISSP provides participants with real-world, guided experience to build essential skills for pursuing an advanced degree and careers in science, academia, and research.

  • Weekly luncheons with all CRISSP interns and participating faculty
  • Biweekly Summer Scientific Research Colloquium focused on broad career exposure
  • Participation in a 3-week advanced course in translational research
  • Completion of an Individual Development Plan to identify program goals
  • Conduct at least three informational interviews for educational and career advice
  • Opportunity to mentor high school students interested in research
  • Social and educational programming with fellow students and researchers throughout CHOP
  • Clinical shadowing in two clinics and the operating room
  • Mentoring in academic research
  • Human subject protections, if applicable to internship placement
  • Care and use of animals in research, if applicable to internship placement
  • Laboratory safety, if applicable to internship placement
  • Responsible conduct of research
Week Event Title
Week 1
  • CRISSP Orientation
  • Opening Reception
  • CRISSP Lunch: Mentorship
Week 2
  • Summer Scientific Research Colloquium: Session 1
  • Translational Research Course, Part 1
  • CRISSP Lunch: Individual Development Plans
Week 3
  • CRISSP Lunch: Students Describe Research, Part 1
  • Translational Research Course, Part 2
Week 4
  • Summer Scientific Research Colloquium: Session 2
  • Translational Research Course, Part 3
  • CRISSP Lunch: Students Describe Research, Part 2
  • Mentoring Session With High School Students
Week 5
  • Summer Scientific Research Colloquium: Session 4
Week 6
  • Summer Scientific Research Colloquium: Session 3
  • CRISSP Lunch: Poster Guidelines
  • Mentoring Session With High School Students
Week 7
  • CRISSP Lunch: Career Panel Discussion
  • Mentoring Session With High School Students
Week 8
  • Summer Scientific Research Colloquium: Session 4
  • CRISSP Lunch: Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Mentoring Session With High School Students
Week 9
  • CRISSP Poster Practice Sessions
Week 10
  • Poster Day
  • Graduation and Awards Ceremony