Overview
The Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE) internship program engages high school and undergraduate students underrepresented in medical research who are interested in learning about immunology and related fields. RISE aims to inspire young people from underrepresented communities in the Greater Boston area to consider a career in medical research and immunology by offering a paid, structured and mentored internship with extended supports. Mentors are drawn from the Ragon faculty, and interns are assigned to projects in their labs. In addition to lab work, interns participate in cohort-level activities coordinated by Education and Outreach staff, including:
The program runs for 7 weeks from June to August for high school students and 9 weeks for undergraduates. High school students are expected to work 25 hours per week; undergraduates are expected to work 40 hours per week. High school students are paid $15 per hour; undergraduates are paid $16.75 per hour.
Internships will be held in person at the Ragon Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts unless the evolving COVID-19 pandemic prevents onsite activities, in which case internships will be held virtually. All interns must comply with MGH’s COVID-19 vaccination policy (both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine, as well as boosters when eligible).
Selection
Students are drawn from high schools and universities within commuting distance to Cambridge, with particular focus on students from Cambridge, Boston, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Brockton, Chelsea, and other gateway communities.
Students must meet the following selection criteria:
Application
RISE applications can be found at the links below. Please be sure to complete the appropriate application. To participate, students must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (including a booster), influenza, and childhood diseases. There are other requirements specified by the MGH Department of Occupational Health that will be covered in the on-boarding process. Students must be legally permitted to work in the United States. Students should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should be prepared to upload a copy of their resume or CV and a copy of their most recent unofficial college transcript. If you have any questions about RISE, contact Don Pinkerton at dpinkerton@mgh.harvard.edu.
Important Dates
Application available: February 13, 2023
Deadline extended!
Applications due: March 31, 2023 at 11:59PM
Interviews for selected candidates: April 3 – April 14, 2023
Final selections made by April 21, 2023
Program Dates
Undergraduates: June 12 – August 11, 2023
High School: June 26 – August 11, 2023
The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard brings together scientists and engineers from diverse fields to better understand the immune system and support human health.
The Administrative and Operations team manages the Ragon’s operations, administrative, and logistical functions.