The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) is a 7-week summer experience for medical students, particularly those individuals whose backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives have shaped their commitment to healthcare, community engagement, and clinical research. Winn CIPP introduces students early in their training to clinical research and community engagement, preparing future physicians — whether researchers or clinicians — to strengthen clinical trial participation and improve care for all communities.
Applications open on November 2, 2026 and close on January 8, 2027.
Award
A $7,200 stipend for the 7-week program (1-week virtual participation and 6-weeks in-person).
Guidance for the award: The stipend is expected to cover travel, living, and lodging expenses during the service-learning experience period.
Externship
Winn CIPP students will learn the basics of clinical trials and work in community-based clinical research organizations to provide outreach, education, and engagement on clinical trials. Students will receive training in three areas:
- Clinical Research - Students gain clinical research exposure through engagement with clinical investigators in community-based clinical research organizations and academic medical centers.
- Community Engagement - Students develop team-based service-learning projects, in which they conduct short-term capacity building interventions, such as community needs assessments or implement patient initiatives (education, outreach, and/or informational programs). Students will design and conduct their projects in collaboration with site supervisors.
- Leadership Development - Students are introduced to clinical research career development pathways and receive mentoring from Winn CDA scholars that supports their development of community-oriented clinical research leadership skills.
The 2027 Winn CIPP will take place during a 7-week program period:
- June 14 - June 17, 2027 (Virtual)
- June 21 - July 31, 2027 (In-person
In 2027, Winn CIPP Site Partners may be located in the following *cities:
| Atlanta, GA | New York, NY |
| Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA |
| Los Angeles, CA | Richmond, VA |
| Louisville, KY | San Antonio, TX |
| Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA |
| New Orleans, LA |
*Cities are subject to change.
Mentoring
Each Winn CIPP student will be matched for mentoring with a Winn CDA scholar who is an early-stage clinical investigator, as well as a peer mentor who is a Winn CIPP alumnus. During their externships, Winn CIPP students will meet at least four times with each of their mentors to discuss clinical research career pathways, professional development, project management, and other topics that will assist the student during and after the program is complete.
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship or immigration status
Eligible candidates must be a US Citizen, US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder), or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Approval. If awarded, students may be required to show proof of status.
Educational Status
Eligible candidates will be:
- Current 1st – 3rd year Medical Students
- Enrolled in MD, MD/PhD, DO or DO/PhD programs in accredited US medical schools, including Puerto Rico
The Winn CIPP welcomes applications from all eligible students. In alignment with our mission, we encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives have shaped their commitment to healthcare, community engagement, and clinical research. This may include:
1. Students who have experienced significant challenges or obstacles related to their financial, educational, community, or family backgrounds in pursuing their education or professional goals, consistent with the AAMC framework for Other Impactful Experiences. Applicants are encouraged to share how these experiences have shaped their interests, goals, and professional development.
2. Students who are first-generation college students, consistent with AAMC definitions and guidance.
3. Students who demonstrate motivation, commitment, or a personal connection to the Winn CIPP mission of advancing community engagement in healthcare and clinical research.
These experiences are not requirements for participation or eligibility. All eligible applicants are evaluated using the same established selection criteria.
***Please be advised that the Winn CIPP is not designed to qualify for academic credit. It is neither structured nor intended to serve as a clinical rotation or any other kind of academic requirement. If a student would like to get academic credit for participation in Winn CIPP, s/he would need to work directly with the placement site partner. A separate Affiliation Agreement would likely be needed between the student’s medical school and the placement site. Site partners are not required to enter into an Affiliation Agreement on behalf of the student. It is wholly at the site's discretion to do so.
Note: The student is fully responsible for initiating and managing the Affiliation Agreement process. Neither the Fox Chase Cancer Center nor the Winn CIPP team are involved in any part of the process.
Please visit the program's website at https://winnawards.org/ for detailed information and FAQs.
For questions related to Winn CIPP and/or the Winn CIPP application, please contact WinnCIPP@fccc.edu.
Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP)
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) is a 7-week summer experience for medical students, particularly those individuals whose backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives have shaped their commitment to healthcare, community engagement, and clinical research. Winn CIPP introduces students early in their training to clinical research and community engagement, preparing future physicians — whether researchers or clinicians — to strengthen clinical trial participation and improve care for all communities.
Applications open on November 2, 2026 and close on January 8, 2027.
Award
A $7,200 stipend for the 7-week program (1-week virtual participation and 6-weeks in-person).
Guidance for the award: The stipend is expected to cover travel, living, and lodging expenses during the service-learning experience period.
Externship
Winn CIPP students will learn the basics of clinical trials and work in community-based clinical research organizations to provide outreach, education, and engagement on clinical trials. Students will receive training in three areas:
- Clinical Research - Students gain clinical research exposure through engagement with clinical investigators in community-based clinical research organizations and academic medical centers.
- Community Engagement - Students develop team-based service-learning projects, in which they conduct short-term capacity building interventions, such as community needs assessments or implement patient initiatives (education, outreach, and/or informational programs). Students will design and conduct their projects in collaboration with site supervisors.
- Leadership Development - Students are introduced to clinical research career development pathways and receive mentoring from Winn CDA scholars that supports their development of community-oriented clinical research leadership skills.
The 2027 Winn CIPP will take place during a 7-week program period:
- June 14 - June 17, 2027 (Virtual)
- June 21 - July 31, 2027 (In-person
In 2027, Winn CIPP Site Partners may be located in the following *cities:
| Atlanta, GA | New York, NY |
| Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA |
| Los Angeles, CA | Richmond, VA |
| Louisville, KY | San Antonio, TX |
| Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA |
| New Orleans, LA |
*Cities are subject to change.
Mentoring
Each Winn CIPP student will be matched for mentoring with a Winn CDA scholar who is an early-stage clinical investigator, as well as a peer mentor who is a Winn CIPP alumnus. During their externships, Winn CIPP students will meet at least four times with each of their mentors to discuss clinical research career pathways, professional development, project management, and other topics that will assist the student during and after the program is complete.
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship or immigration status
Eligible candidates must be a US Citizen, US Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder), or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Approval. If awarded, students may be required to show proof of status.
Educational Status
Eligible candidates will be:
- Current 1st – 3rd year Medical Students
- Enrolled in MD, MD/PhD, DO or DO/PhD programs in accredited US medical schools, including Puerto Rico
The Winn CIPP welcomes applications from all eligible students. In alignment with our mission, we encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives have shaped their commitment to healthcare, community engagement, and clinical research. This may include:
1. Students who have experienced significant challenges or obstacles related to their financial, educational, community, or family backgrounds in pursuing their education or professional goals, consistent with the AAMC framework for Other Impactful Experiences. Applicants are encouraged to share how these experiences have shaped their interests, goals, and professional development.
2. Students who are first-generation college students, consistent with AAMC definitions and guidance.
3. Students who demonstrate motivation, commitment, or a personal connection to the Winn CIPP mission of advancing community engagement in healthcare and clinical research.
These experiences are not requirements for participation or eligibility. All eligible applicants are evaluated using the same established selection criteria.
***Please be advised that the Winn CIPP is not designed to qualify for academic credit. It is neither structured nor intended to serve as a clinical rotation or any other kind of academic requirement. If a student would like to get academic credit for participation in Winn CIPP, s/he would need to work directly with the placement site partner. A separate Affiliation Agreement would likely be needed between the student’s medical school and the placement site. Site partners are not required to enter into an Affiliation Agreement on behalf of the student. It is wholly at the site's discretion to do so.
Note: The student is fully responsible for initiating and managing the Affiliation Agreement process. Neither the Fox Chase Cancer Center nor the Winn CIPP team are involved in any part of the process.
Please visit the program's website at https://winnawards.org/ for detailed information and FAQs.
For questions related to Winn CIPP and/or the Winn CIPP application, please contact WinnCIPP@fccc.edu.