Research Student Programs

The Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s Hospital offers paid and unpaid research internship programs designed to introduce high school and college students to careers in pediatric healthcare and research. These programs emphasize workforce development, academic growth, and career exploration in both clinical and nonclinical settings.

Interns work alongside experienced researchers, physicians, and healthcare professionals, gaining hands-on exposure to real-world projects that impact child health and well-being.

Program Goals

• Provide meaningful research and programmatic experiences
• Build workforce readiness and career preparedness
• Increase student employability and support transitions to college or future employment
• Foster interest in pediatric medicine, public health, and healthcare innovation

Skill Development

• Interns will develop and refine key professional skills, including:
• Project Management
• Digital Literacy
• Academic Writing & Presentation
• Professional Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration

Student Experience

Participants will:

• Gain exposure to diverse healthcare and research careers
• Apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges
• Manage learning opportunities and work responsibilities
• Network with Akron Children’s Hospital researchers and staff
• Explore research fundamentals and public health impact

Program Placement

Internship opportunities at the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute are project-dependent and may vary each term. Placement is based on mentor availability, departmental capacity, and active research initiatives. While we strive to provide meaningful experiences for all applicants, not all students may be placed due to limited openings.

We encourage interested students to apply early and indicate flexibility in their areas of interest. Final placements are determined by project alignment and institutional needs.

Contact Us

For more information or to apply, please contact researchprograms@akronchildrens.org.

Akron Children's Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute offers college students opportunities to gain clinical research experience at northeast Ohio’s largest pediatric hospital through the Summer Pediatric Research Scholars (SPRS) program.

Learn more about the SPRS program here.

Program Details

Akron Children’s Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute offers medical students an opportunity through the Academic Immersion Scholars Program. This program is a structured, research-focused summer experience for rising second-year medical students (M2s). Scholars engage in mentored research, clinical observation, literature review training, and professional development. The program culminates in manuscript submission and aims to foster deeper connections between students, mentors, and the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a rising M2 medical student in good academic standing
• Must have successfully completed M1 without remediation
• Students undergoing academic remediation or catch-up are not eligible
• Must be available for the full program duration and attend all required meetings

Student Commitment

• Submit a complete application including:
• Application form
• Confirmation of M1 completion
• One-page original essay (no AI-generated content)
• CV
• One letter of recommendation (sent directly by recommender)

Student Experience

Students will participate in:

• Weekly literature review sessions
• Bi-weekly mentor meetings
• Three mentored observation sessions
• Weekly faculty reflection sessions
• Orientation and onboarding activities
• Submit a final manuscript and complete pre/post surveys

Program Dates & Deadlines

• Application Deadline: January 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM
• Program Start: May 11, 2026
• Program End: July 17, 2026
• Onboarding Deadline: April 4, 2026
• Orientation: April 2026 (Date TBD)
• Conclusion Dinner: July 2026 (Date TBD)

Contact Us

For questions or to submit materials, please reach out to the Program Coordinator at research@akronchildrens.org.

Program Details

Akron Children’s Hospital is partnering with Kent State University to offer meaningful practicum experiences for graduate students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science (MS) programs. These practicum placements focus on research and programmatic work that supports pediatric healthcare and public health initiatives.

• Focus Areas: Clinical research, epidemiology, biostatistics, data analytics, social and behavioral sciences, and program development.
• Student Skills: Proficiency in R, SAS, and Excel, with R preferred for its cost-effectiveness and functionality.
• Project Types: Data-driven research, literature reviews, program evaluation, and policy development.

Eligibility Criteria

• Graduate students enrolled in Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science (MS) programs at Kent State University.
• Academic Standing: Students must be in good academic standing and have completed foundational coursework relevant to their practicum focus.
• Prerequisite Skills: Depending on the project, students may need prior experience in:
  • Data analysis (R, SAS, Excel)
  • Literature review methodology
  • Public health frameworks or clinical research basics
• Availability: Must be available for the duration of the practicum and able to meet project deadlines.

Student Commitment

• Engage in project work aligned with academic competencies
• Students are expected to dedicate approximately 10–20 hours per week, depending on project scope.
• Weekly progress updates or reflections
• Final report or presentation summarizing findings
• Contribution to manuscripts, policy briefs, or program evaluations (if applicable)
• Adherence to hospital policies and confidentiality agreements
• Timely communication with mentors and program coordinators
• Completion of onboarding modules (e.g., CITI, RCR, GCP)
• Participation in orientation sessions
• Mid-point and final evaluations by mentors
• Student self-assessment and feedback survey

Program Dates & Deadlines

• Students may begin engaging with teams as early as their second semester
• Practicum timelines are flexible and coordinated with academic calendars
• Onboarding includes role-based access and compliance training

Contact Us

If you’re interested in participating in this opportunity and would like more information, please contact research@akronchildrens.org.