At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), delivering high-quality care to our diverse patient population and their families is our top priority. To meet the needs of our patients, we continually strive to create a workforce that reflects the richness of our patients’ experiences. Diverse lived experiences in our faculty, trainees and staff directly contribute to clinical and research breakthroughs and culturally sensitive, family-centered care.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Summer Medical Student Research (SUMMR) Program aims to help talented students overcome barriers to accessing academic medicine, fostering excellence in the next generation of clinicians and scientists. Participants experience both clinical care and research, working with international experts in pediatric care and child health research.

Those selected to participate join us in Philadelphia on our main campus and receive a $5,000 stipend for their in-person participation. SUMMR programming includes lectures, research mentorship, and clinical activities over the 8-week experience (May 29th, 2025-July 25th, 2025). We offer a varied array of experiences across the Departments of Pediatrics, Surgery, Radiology, Psychiatry, Pathology and Critical Care Medicine/Anesthesia. Scholars have the opportunity to meet with Departmental leaders, leaders of our Pediatric Residency Program, and resident and fellow trainees during their time at CHOP. Eligible students must attend all 8 weeks of the program.

Details

Dates:

5/29/2025-7/25/2025 (5/29 - In person orientation; 6/2- Program start)

Stipend:

$5000 for the 8-week experience

What:

Didactic, research and clinical experience at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Programming includes seminars twice a week with our esteemed faculty and physicians to learn about different disciplines, research methods, and career paths in pediatric medicine. Students are paired with a physician mentor and specialty for completion of the research project and clinical experience. The program includes 40-hour work weeks and requires participants to complete 25-30 hours of research and 8-15 hours of clinical shadowing per week. Final deliverables include a 250-word abstract and scientific poster based on their research for presentation during the final week. Awards are given for exemplary research.

An example of the didactic schedule from a previous year is below:

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be medical students enrolled in U.S. medical schools, and be between their first and second years of medical school*
   • *There are limited spots available for students to attend the SUMMR Program the summer before their first year of medical school, as well as the summer between their first and second years of medical school (therefore these individuals would be in the SUMMR Program for two consecutive summers).

Requirements: 

1. SUMMR scholars are solely responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing during their participation in the SUMMR Program. Students can opt-in to a subsidized housing option in the UPenn dormitory for a flat $2,000 for the entire 8-week program.
2. Scholars must be able to complete the entirety of the program in person.

How to apply

Applications are currently closed for the SUMMR 2025 cohort. SUMMR 2026 applications will open November 3, 2025.

A complete application includes:

• Your unofficial transcripts from med school to date (.pdf)
• CV (.pdf)
• Personal statement addressing the prompt in the application (1-2 pages in .pdf format)
• Letter of recommendation to be uploaded directly by your recommender via secure personalized upload link. (1 page in .pdf format)

All applications must be submitted in full by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, for consideration.

Student Feedback

“The biweekly seminar speakers were fantastic! Every speaker that gave their time to help us learn more about the medical and research field truly enhanced my understanding of my future. These faculty members were very honest with us and gave me a perspective on medicine that was incomparable to one I have had in the past.“ – M1 Student, SUMMR 2022

“Getting the opportunity to see into the day-to-day workings of providers that are both clinicians and researchers. Being able to assist talks/classes that touch on topics that are relevant to our learning and formation as future providers.” – M1 Student, SUMMR 2022

“I really enjoyed that I was able to fill my summer with everything I wanted to. Before coming to this program, I didn't really understand the true meaning of research and how valuable it can be in medicine; this program really helped understand better how translational and bench research could be a part of my future practice…. I had an amazing summer, and I will remember this experience forever.” – M1 Student, SUMMR 2022

“I loved coming to CHOP and seeing everything that the faculty can do here. There was a lot of warmth and openness in the hospital from everyone I met, and I greatly appreciated it.” – M1 Student, SUMMR 2023

“I can't think of anything I didn't like!! From getting to shadow different specialties, to learning more about different physicians' goals/pathways through the didactics, and being part of clinical research... I feel like the SUMMR program opened so many doors for me. It was very inspiring to be in the same room as other URM in medicine, and to hear so many like-minded people share their experiences. Overall, I really loved my experience this summer and would highly suggest that others apply!” – M1 Student, SUMMR 2023

Questions?

For more information, contact us at SUMMR@chop.edu.

“CHOP is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive biomedical research, clinical, and administrative workforce on our campus, in our satellite facilities, and in the greater academic community. This commitment is exemplified by our many efforts surrounding pipeline programs that support diverse scholars, our focus on diversity health initiatives, and outreach to the diverse community that we serve in Philadelphia and beyond. Diversity is celebrated throughout the institution, and employee resources are in place to foster an inclusive environment. CHOP is committed to providing the best possible care and attention to all of our patients and families, regardless of their cultural, linguistic, dietary, spiritual, or socio-economic background.” — Joseph W. St. Geme, III, MD