The application for the 2025 Summer program at Fox Chase Cancer Center is now open.
Applications due March 16th by 11:59 PM
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Summer Teen Research Internship Program (Summer TRIP) at Fox Chase Cancer Center offers high school students hands-on experiential learning in science and medicine. TRIP is designed for motivated students eager to explore these fields while developing resilience, communication, and critical thinking skills outside the traditional classroom.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Summer TRIP is divided into three phases: Project Design, Experimentation, and Communication.
Project Design: Students receive assigned experimental conditions to investigate how diet, inflammation, and environmental stress affect organismal health, development, and behavior. They also develop foundational lab and problem-solving skills. - Experimentation: Students conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and learn to navigate challenges—building essential scientific reasoning skills.
- Communication: In the final phase, students present their findings through a recorded presentation and blog published on our website, connecting their research to real-world applications.
Beyond the Lab
In addition to research, students benefit from:
- One-on-one mentoring with Fox Chase faculty
- Team-building and leadership development
- Exposure to careers in science and medicine
- A supportive community of driven and curious peers
PROGRAM DETAILS:
The 2025 Summer TRIP will offer two sessions at Fox Chase Cancer Center (333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111):
- Session 1: July 7 – July 11
- Session 2: July 21 – July 25
Each session runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and provides students with hands-on research experience in a professional lab setting.
After completing the in-lab portion, students will:
- Submit a reflection essay summarizing their experiences, experiments, findings, and key takeaways from the program.
- Record a 3-5 minute presentation of their research, which will be published on the TRIP website to share their work with the broader community.
ELIGIBILITY & ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Who Can Apply?
- Philadelphia-area students who will be at least 14 years old by July 7, 2025
- Current 9th–12th graders
- Residents of New Jersey and Delaware are also eligible
Academic Background
- Completion of at least one high school Biology or Chemistry course is recommended but not required.
Attendance Policy
- Students must attend all program days for either Session 1 or Session 2.
- Unexcused absences (any absence not due to a documented illness or pre-approved circumstance) will result in dismissal from the program.
- A parent/guardian must review and agree to this attendance policy.
APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINE
Applications and transcripts will be reviewed by a panel of program staff in March and April. Final decisions will be made by early to mid-May 2025.
Please direct all questions to Dr. Theresa Austria at [email protected]. Please use "Summer TRIP" in the subject line of all emails regarding the 2025 summer program.
Learn about the experiences of previous TRIP students at tripinitiative.com/blog.
Help More Students Explore Science
The Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) at Fox Chase is a recognized Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Businesses who support Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) may be eligible for a tax credit through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. Learn more here.
To make a personal tax-deductible contribution to support TRIP, please visit donate.foxchase.org/TRIP or download the brochure.