Discover the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program: Your Gateway to STEMM Research

The Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for undergraduate students to immerse themselves in the world of biomedical and public health research. This enriching Summer Internship Program (SIP) at Johns Hopkins University is meticulously designed to provide hands-on experience and mentorship, nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

The 2025 SIP program is scheduled to run from Sunday, May 25th to Saturday, August 2nd, across most divisions, offering a substantial ten-week research experience.

Ready to embark on this transformative journey? Apply Now

Please note the application deadline: February 1st, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST.

Why Johns Hopkins Cares? The Program Overview

The Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program, also known as SIP, stands out for its deep commitment to inclusivity and fostering talent from diverse backgrounds. It’s specifically crafted to welcome undergraduate students from all walks of life, with a special emphasis on those from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEMM fields, students from underserved communities, and students with disabilities.

This program is more than just a summer internship; it’s an immersive research experience designed to ignite passions for careers in science, medicine, and public health. Johns Hopkins truly cares about cultivating a diverse and skilled workforce in these critical sectors, and SIP is a cornerstone of this commitment.

Benefits of the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program: Launching Your Research Career

Participating in the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program offers a wealth of benefits, setting a strong foundation for a future in research and beyond.

Hands-on Research Experience: Interns don’t just observe; they actively participate in cutting-edge biomedical and public health research. Under the direct mentorship of Johns Hopkins faculty, students gain invaluable practical skills in research methodologies and scientific experimentation.
Comprehensive Skill Development: Beyond lab techniques, the program emphasizes holistic development. Interns engage in professional and career development workshops, honing essential skills for academic and professional success. Networking events connect students with peers and established researchers, expanding their professional horizons.
Presentation and Publication Opportunities: SIP culminates in opportunities for students to present their summer research findings through oral presentations or poster sessions. Many interns leverage this experience to present their work at national conferences, enhancing their visibility and impact within the scientific community.
Financial Support and Housing: Recognizing the importance of accessibility, the program provides stipends ranging from $3,000 to $5,500 to help cover living expenses. Furthermore, housing is provided at no cost, removing a significant financial barrier and ensuring that talented students can participate regardless of their financial situation. This is a tangible demonstration of how Johns Hopkins cares for its summer interns.
Graduate-Level Research Immersion: The program is designed to mirror the experience of a first-year graduate student’s lab rotation. Before even stepping onto campus, interns receive relevant research papers, allowing them to familiarize themselves with their lab’s focus and techniques. They are entrusted with their own research projects, fostering a sense of ownership and deep engagement with their work.
Dedicated Mentorship and Collaboration: SIP interns are integrated into research teams that foster collaboration and mutual learning. Regular team meetings provide platforms for discussing research challenges, progress updates, and relevant scientific literature, creating a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Mentors are deeply invested in the professional growth and success of each SIP scholar, embodying the “Cares” aspect of the program.

Imagine yourself conducting groundbreaking research at Johns Hopkins.

This full-time program demands complete dedication. Participants are expected to commit to the entire ten-week duration and are not permitted to enroll in academic courses or hold other employment during the internship.

Crafting a Compelling Application for the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program

Applying to the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program is straightforward and free. To complete your application, you will need to submit the following components:

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. Ideally, these should come from faculty members or research mentors who can speak to your academic abilities and research potential.
Academic Transcripts: Submit transcripts from every undergraduate institution you have attended. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume: Provide an updated CV or resume outlining your academic and extracurricular experiences, highlighting any research or relevant skills.
Personal Statement: The personal statement is a crucial part of your application. It should be no longer than 1.5 pages, single-spaced, using at least an 11-point font. While there isn’t a specific prompt, use this space to tell your story. Consider addressing:
- Your motivations for pursuing summer research and why you need this experience.
- Your career aspirations and how this program aligns with them.
- What sparked your interest in this particular field of research.
- Personal qualities that make you a strong candidate for a research career.
- Any prior research experiences, including hypotheses, methodologies, outcomes, and lessons learned.
- The type of mentorship you believe would be most beneficial to you during this Johns Hopkins experience.
(CSM-SIP Applicants Only) Proof of Family Income: Applicants to the Community, Scholars, and Mentors Summer Internship Program (CSM-SIP) division will need to provide proof of family income as part of their application.

The application deadline is firm: February 1, 2025, 11:59 PM EST. Admissions decisions are typically communicated to applicants by March 15th, although some divisions may release decisions earlier.

For any inquiries or further information, please reach out to the program coordinators at [email protected].

Explore Diverse Research Opportunities: SIP Divisions

The Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program encompasses 15 distinct research divisions, each offering a unique focus and experience. You have the flexibility to apply to up to three divisions, allowing you to explore your diverse research interests within the broader STEMM landscape at Johns Hopkins. Each division is independently managed and may offer varying stipend levels and tailored program content, ensuring a best-fit experience for every intern.

Explore the diverse research divisions within the Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program.

Year-Round Clinical Research Internship: The OTO-CTC IP

Are you seeking a clinical research experience beyond the summer months? Consider the Clinical Trials Core Internship Program (OTO-CTC IP) within the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Please note: The Summer 2025 session for the OTO-CTC IP is currently full and is no longer accepting applications. However, year-round opportunities are available!

Program Highlights:

The OTO-CTC IP provides comprehensive exposure to all facets of clinical research, including regulatory processes, data management, and direct patient interaction. While primarily focused on clinical research, there may also be opportunities for limited laboratory work. This internship is in-person and offers flexible scheduling to accommodate student availability throughout the year. A minimum commitment of 3 weeks is required for this program.

Benefits of the OTO-CTC IP:

Interns in this program gain end-to-end experience in clinical trial design and execution. Under the guidance of faculty and staff, students actively participate in data entry, patient screening and observation, reporting outcomes to Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and basic laboratory tasks. Professional development and mentorship opportunities are also available through meetings with the Clinical Trials Core Director.

How to Apply for OTO-CTC IP:

Applying for the OTO-CTC IP is also free. To apply, email Internship Program Coordinator Jordan Smith at [email protected] or [email protected] with the following information, depending on the internship session you are interested in:

Summer Internship:
- Internships run from May through August.
- Applications are accepted from January 1st to March 31st ONLY. Applications submitted outside this window will not be reviewed.
- Clearly state your desired internship dates within the May-August timeframe (e.g., May 26th – July 15th).
- Attach your resume/CV and specify your current school enrollment.
Winter Internship:
- Internships run from December through February.
- Applications are accepted from August 1st to October 31st ONLY. Applications submitted outside this window will not be reviewed.
- Clearly state your desired internship dates within the December-February timeframe (e.g., December 26th – January 15th).
- Attach your resume/CV and specify your current school enrollment.
Fall Internship:
- Internships run from September through December.
- Applications are accepted from May 1st to August 31st.
- Clearly state your desired internship dates within the September-December timeframe (e.g., September 26th – November 15th).
- Attach your resume/CV and specify your current school enrollment.
- The Fall internship session is limited to only 2 students and is reserved for students available for 10 hours per week (IN-PERSON) with the research team for a semester or longer.

The Johns Hopkins Cares Summer Program and its associated internships are a testament to Johns Hopkins’ dedication to nurturing future leaders in STEMM, fostering inclusivity, and providing transformative research experiences.