For Institutions

CRISP at Duke University facilitates valuable partnerships with institutions like yours to enhance clinical research education and training opportunities. By establishing an affiliation agreement, we aim to collaborate in offering enriching clinical research internships that provide students with hands-on experience and foster their professional growth. This page aims to answer common questions about CRISP, clarify the benefits of affiliation, and outline the steps involved in establishing a partnership with us.

When you partner with CRISP, you benefit from our standardized process for finding placements for your students. This ensures that each student is matched with a suitable clinical research internship, providing a structured and supportive learning environment. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a mentored team environment that fosters learning in clinical research. Additionally, they will gain hands-on experience in real-world research settings, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and build professional networks with experienced researchers. Our comprehensive training modules and professional development opportunities further enhance their readiness for future careers in clinical research.

In the past, we have had students intern with the following departments:

  • Anesthesiology

  • Center for Childhood Obesity Research

  • CTSI, City of Durham (via CTSI)

  • Family Medicine and Community Health

  • Head & Neck Surgical and Communication Sciences

  • Hematologic Malignancies & Cell Therapy

  • Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant

  • Heart Center, Human Vaccine Institute

  • Marcus Center for Cellular Cures

  • Nutrition

  • OB/GYN

  • Pickett Road

  • Psychiatry

  • Pediatrics

  • Radiology

  • Surgery Office of Clinical Research

Students must be enrolled in one of our partner institutions to be eligible. Interested students can email crisp@duke.edu to inquire about available opportunities. If opportunities are available, CRISP will facilitate the connection between the student and the relevant Duke department. If no opportunities are currently available, student information will be kept on file for future opportunities.

Students are required to complete two core trainings as part of the CRISP onboarding process:

Getting Started with Your Clinical Research Internship: This self-paced online module provides clinical research interns with helpful information as they get started with their internship. Interns will learn about the purpose of a clinical research internship, the role of the intern, how to take ownership of their experience, and general professional expectations.

Clinical Research Intern "Time Out" Training: Pausing to Protect Study Participants + Their Privacy: This self-paced online module helps clinical research interns think critically when they are in certain situations during an internship. They will learn about taking a "Time Out" when interacting with study information, study participants, and sensitive data.

Additionally, students may be required to complete specific training based on their internship placement. CRISP provides a structured learning plan tailored, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. These additional trainings, such as Duke-specific training like CITI, are valuable for students to add to their resumes, further enhancing their qualifications and readiness for their roles.

We encourage supervisors to meet regularly with their interns during 1:1 meetings. Supervisors will provide feedback and guidance, oversees the interns' tasks, and ensures the interns complete required trainings necessary for their studies.

Weekly Virtual Professional Development Workshops: Interns can participate in workshops that cover a variety of essential skills, from resumes and cover letters to presenting yourself with professional poise. Once a student is onboarded, they will be invited to these workshops.

Research Wednesdays: This series features important topics presented by subject matter experts from various fields, offering interns insights into the latest developments and challenges in research. Learn more here.

CTSI Professional Development Opportunities: The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) offers numerous professional development programs, including seminars, training sessions, and certification programs that are highly beneficial for those looking to advance their careers in clinical research.

Research Professionals Network (RPN): RPN provides a platform for Duke Health staff and faculty to enhance their contributions to the research community. Through educational sessions and networking opportunities, interns can connect with experienced professionals, gain valuable insights, and expand their professional network. Learn more here.

Mentorship Opportunities: Interns are paired with experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and advice on career development. This mentorship can help interns navigate their career paths, set professional goals, and build essential skills for their future careers.

Access to Online Learning Resources: Interns have access to a variety of online learning platforms and resources, including webinars, online courses, and research databases, to further their education and stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in their field.

Contact CRISP at crisp@duke.edu