Visiting Research Internship Program

Established in 2009, the Visiting Research Internship Program (VRIP) is an eight-week mentored, summer research program designed to enrich medical and dental students' interest in research and health-related careers, particularly clinical/translational research careers. VRIP is sponsored by Harvard Catalyst and OCCE.

Program Dates

Monday, June 1 - Friday, July 24, 2026

Benefits

  • Paid Internship
  • Mentored Clinical Research on a topic of interest proposed by the student
  • Weekly Seminars with Harvard faculty on topics ranging from research methodology, health equity, to career development
  • Travel Compensation of up to $400 toward the cost of traveling to and from Boston
  • Housing

Eligibility

  • First- and second-year medical and dental students in good standing at an LCME-, COCA-, or CODA-accredited school
  • U.S. citizen, National, or Permanent Resident

Application

A completed application is comprised of the following:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Short Answer Questions
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Official electronic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate/professional institutions attended, including your current medical/dental school sent to vrip_occe@hms.harvard.edu.
  • Two letters of recommendation from a current or past faculty member, instructor, research advisor, or supervisor who is familiar with your work.

Dates and Deadlines

  • October 15, 2025: VRIP Application opens
  • January 12, 2026: Deadline for receipt of transcripts and letters of recommendation
  • February, 2026: Notification of 2026 VRIP Recipients
  • June 1—July 24, 2026: Program (tentative)

Apply to VRIP

The application cycle for the 2026 VRIP has closed.

2025 VRIP Student Interns

Eleven VRIP interns pose outside Gordon Hall underneath an HMS sign.

Interns in the 2025 VRIP cohort are from a variety of schools, including University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Indiana University School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science.