This page is designed to help prospective and current TRIP students prepare for the program and explore opportunities for continued engagement in clinical and translational science.
While day-to-day materials and communications during the 10-week summer immersion will be shared via Penn Box (accessible to students and mentors only), this page offers general guidance, answers to frequently asked questions, and helpful links to support your journey before and after the program.
If you're looking for orientation materials, the TRIP curriculum schedule, or presentation templates, please check your Penn Box folder or reach out to Jessica German at jbgerman@upenn.edu.
Application Process
I am interested in applying for TRIP, but I do not attend a partner institution.
Applicants must be from a partner institution to apply to the program.
Is there an online application for TRIP?
Yes, view the application page for instructions and the link to apply.
I recently graduated, am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at a partnering institution.
I am an international student, am I eligible to apply?
The program is open to US Citizens and Permanent Residents only. We cannot accept applications from international students who do not meet residency requirements at this time.
I do not currently have a research mentor; will this be a problem for my application?
Not a problem. In your application, you can indicate your areas of interest. If there are research mentors, you’re interested in working with at Penn you can also indicate them here. Current ITMAT members are visible here.
Do the letters of recommendation need to come from a professor?
The recommender should be able to speak to your academic abilities and potential for work in a biomedical setting. Recommenders have included high school teachers, undergraduate professors, part-time job supervisors, summer internship research mentors.
How many letters of recommendation do we need?
Two letters of recommendation are required.
When do applicants receive decisions by the program?
Applicants will be notified in March of each year regarding the selection committee’s decision.
Residential Housing Information
Is housing provided?
All summer participants will be provided on campus residential housing.
If students need accommodations that differ from the standard room, please contact us to learn more. Students will be responsible for additional associated charges.
Each residence hall is open 24/7 and the front desk will always be staffed with students and allied security will be present in the lobby around the clock to assist with additional building security.
Are we expected to share a dorm room with other participants?
Almost all participants will have a single room with shared living space. However, it is important to note it is dependent on availability each year.
Are the dorms furnished?
The dorms are furnished with an extra-long twin bed, a dresser, a desk, and a desk chair. The living area (if applicable) in your units will include a sofa, table, and chairs. You’d be responsible for bringing your own linens.
Do the dorms have kitchens?
It is likely you’ll be assigned to a unit with a kitchen however it is not guaranteed. Kitchens have a full-size refrigerator, stove, oven, and sink. Kitchens do not come with a microwave, pots and pans, or cutlery.
Are laundry rooms located in the residence halls?
There are free laundry rooms on select even numbered floors.
Is Wi-Fi available in the residence halls?
Wi-Fi is available for all participants staying in the residence halls. You’ll receive more information in your welcome letter and upon check-in.
Is there a checklist for items to bring to the dorm?
We recommend you bring your own bed sheets, pillows, blankets, and towels as these are not provided. In addition, you should bring toiletries and cleaning products. Additionally, we suggest packing hangers, charging cords, and laundry detergent.
Do I need to take public transportation to get from the dorms to campus/lab?
The dorms are located on campus so you can easily walk. Disabilities Services and Residential Services work closely together to review housing requests and identify appropriate and available housing. If you need an accomodation, please visit their website and submit a request.
When is move-in / move-out?
Typically, students can move in 1-2 days before the program begins. For move-out, students can move-out the day the program ends or the next morning. Timing for both will be provided in the welcome letter by Hospitality Services.
Is it possible to move-in earlier than scheduled and/or stay beyond the 10 weeks?
Unfortunately, it is unlikely to move in earlier and/or stay later. We recommend asking Hospitality Services if there are rooms available.
Can I store my belongings on campus until we’re able to move in?
Students are welcome to look into storage options but we are unable to store belongings.
No, meal plans are not provided by the program. However, you are welcome to purchase a meal plan at your own expense through Hospitality Services. Hospitality services will send you a registration link where you can make a credit card payment for the meal plan of your choice. Once they receive confirmation of the plan you'd like to enroll in, they'll load the plan onto your PennCard and bill appropriately.
If you purchase a meal plan, meal visits will be in one of Penn’s all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Each time you eat, one visit is subtracted from your allowance. Dining Dollars can be used in any Penn Dining or Penn Dining Retail location. Each purchase amount is subtracted from your Dining Dollars account balance.
The Flex 25: $495 (summer 2025)
25 meal visits
The Flex 45: $795 (summer 2025)
45 meal visits
Onboarding Process
How many hours are we expected to work each week?
Students are expected to engage in a full-time program, 40 hours per week for 10 weeks. This would include receiving substantial mentorship and attending all programmatic elements.
How do I receive my research award?
Students should have received a message from the ITMAT Business Office asking you to create a Penn Supplier account to receive the funds. If you did not, please contact us and we’ll connect you with someone in the business office.
I’m interested in learning more about the research awards. When do we receive them?
Research awards are being paid as a prize/award. Research awards are which are subject to federal withholding tax. For US Citizens and resident alien students, all prizes and awards in the amount of $600 or greater within a calendar year must be reported by the University to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC. It is the responsibility of all prize/award recipients, regardless of the amount of the prize/award, to report the taxable prize/award to the IRS on their personal income tax returns. Students will receive half of the payment at the end of the June and the remainder at the end of July.
How are students matched to mentors?
Students enrolled in the program will have an opportunity to describe their research interests and potential mentors with the Program Director. Lab placements are determined with consideration from the mentor and student’s interests.
Do program participants have access to Student Health Services?
Students can be seen for basic services which would be fee for services. SHS does not take outside insurance plans, which can be problematic. We recommend looking into an urgent care center in University City that takes your insurance.
Are students required to be vaccinated, including COVID-19?
Yes, all health care professional students are required to be fully vaccinated, including COVID-19. See Penn’s requirements here.
Penn Libraries comprise over seven million volumes, one million of which are in electronic form, over 33,000 videos, four million microforms, more than 100,000 e-journals, and over 1,300 online databases and indexes accessed from the online catalog. They provide a wide range of support.
The Weingarten Center provides a wide range of academic support programming and professional consultation services in university-relevant skills such as reading, writing, study strategies, and time management.
The Weingarten Center's Disabilities Services staff work closely with students who self-identify with disabilities in order to ensure equal academic opportunities and access to all University programs, activities and services.
DIAMOND Portal - a digital portal for competency-based CTS educational offerings
Philadelphia is a vibrant city with a rich history, various neighborhoods, and a thriving arts and science scene. While TRIP students will be focused on research, we encourage you to take advantage of local events and cultural experiences during your time here.
All publications, press releases or other documents citing results from NIH-grant supported research must acknowledge the NIH grant support. For questions, please email Jessica German.
Please include this language:
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number UL1TR001878. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
