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Group photo of 2023 CRISP program participants.

Program overview

Program length: 10 weeks
Location: Jacksonville, Florida & Rochester, Minnesota
Stipend: $3,000

This internship is a paid 10-week summer program that gives college students an opportunity to participate in clinical research. This is a great way for you to test your inclination toward careers in medicine, health care, and science. You are placed with a faculty mentor to work on a clinical research project.

What is clinical research?

Clinical research represents a broad array of scientific studies and trials that help doctors and the healthcare team learn more about human disease, behavior, and treatments. It is typically differentiated from discovery science or "basic science research" in that it does not emphasize wet lab or bench techniques. Varying methodologies and approaches may include, but are not limited to:

  • Observational studies
  • Epidemiological studies
  • Retrospective studies
  • Case series or reports
  • Clinical trials
  • Quality studies

Most CRISP students work with their faculty mentors in a largely computer-based or chart review manner to work on their research project.

Curriculum

Curriculum

A faculty mentor directs each student's Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP) experience for the research project. Each student will have a unique experience tailored to their specific mentor and project. The Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all research projects, when appropriate.

To successfully complete the program, you must:

  • Attend mandatory orientation on May 27, 2025 (in-person, no virtual options available)
  • Comply with all program and institutional policies
  • Participate in an ongoing research investigation
  • Develop skills in research methodology
  • Participate in assigned educational activities, including on-site weekly lecture series
  • Present a written summary and oral presentation of their research at the end of the program on August 1, 2025 (in-person, no virtual options available)

CRISP students work on a variety of research topics. Some examples of previous projects:

  • Injury in marathon runners
  • Aortic aneurysm and smoking
  • Liver transplant in patients older than 70
  • Warfarin anticoagulation in acute intracranial hemorrhage
  • Screw placement in the spine using 3-D images

Schedule

Schedule

You are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours a week to be at Mayo Clinic to work on your research project.

Application process

Applications will open Nov. 1 and will close Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 

Summer 2025 match

  • The summer 2025 match is for May 27, 2025, through Aug. 1, 2025.
  • All students accepted into the program must be available on the first day to attend the mandatory orientation — no exceptions will be given. (No option for virtual orientation is available). 

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the internship, you must:

  • Must be 18 years old by start of the program
  • Be currently enrolled in or a graduate of an accredited U.S. college or university
    • Recent graduates should typically have graduated no longer than 13 months prior to CRISP start date
    • CRISP is intended for students not yet matriculated into professional degree-seeking programs (such as medical, dental, or pharmacy schools)
      • A limited number of spots may be awarded to exceptional applicants in professional degree-seeking programs
  • Have completed your freshman year of college prior to the start of the program
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
    • Students on F1 visas currently attending a college in the US can apply to CRISP.
  • Be seriously considering a career in health care or clinical research

Applicants are selected based on academic performance, work and volunteer experiences, leadership qualities, and representation of personal qualities and skills in a personal letter.

 

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

  1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission. Select the following when creating an account:
    • School of Study - Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs
    • Area of Interest - Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP)
  2. Once logged on, select "Create a New Application"
  3. Select "Start a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Experience Application"
  4. Complete each section of the application and submit
  5. After submission:
    • Select the "View" button next to your application 
    • Select the "Supplemental Items and Documents" tab
      • Upload your supplemental items
      • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

  • Essay is to include the following and then be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section:
    • In 500 words or less, write about your career goals and how your personal and educational experiences support your progression towards those goals.
  • Unofficial college transcripts must include current GPA and may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items area. 
  • Recent CV/resume
  • One letter of recommendation is required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. The recommender will receive an email with a link to upload a letter.
    • Professional: References should be individuals who are/were an authority figure in your current/previous schooling or place of employment.
    • Generally, the longer the relationship with the letter writer the stronger the letter of recommendation. For example: High-school sports coach for 3 years vs professor of one semester.
  • ORC ID: The ORCID allows you to create a unique author identifier for yourself to specifically identify your publications.

Tuition and financial aid

Mayo Clinic Office of Non-Clinical Programs does not charge tuition or fees for the internship. A stipend of $3,000 will be provided in equal installments contingent on good standing in the program. 

You are responsible for your living accommodations and transportation.

Accreditation information

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, Florida.
Campus and community

Jacksonville, FL

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