SRIP Frequently Asked Questions 

When does the program start?

The program runs for 10 weeks and typically starts the last week of May and ends the first full week of August. For example, the 2024 session started May 29 and concluded August 8. 

Is this an on-site internship or is this a remote internship? 

Since 2022, SRIP has offered a remote option. Remote internships are on a case-by-case basis and depend on the willingness of the mentor, circumstances of the project, location of the intern, among other factors. Interns who will be onsite are offered housing at Villas at Marshfield paid for by MCRI. Travel arrangements to-and-from MCRI are not covered by MCRI for housed interns. It is advised that interns have a mode of transportation of their own (i.e., a car or bike) during the course of their internship.   

Given employment and/or payroll requirements of individual states, Marshfield Clinic Health System supports remote work in the following states: 

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If your state is not listed here, you need to consider the on-site option. 

If I am taking a vacation during the internship, how does that affect me?

SRIP tries to be reasonable with interns. If an intern requests one or two days off during the program, that amount of time is reasonable. If an intern is going to be gone for one or two weeks, that amount of time is problematic. SRIP is designed to conclude after ten weeks with the Research Symposium. Missing a large amount of time would affect an intern's ability to meet deadlines and have a concise and professional presentation ready. SRIP cannot be extended to account for missed time - as it is a fixed-term position. You are advised to consider this while you apply. 

Where do I send my application? 

Applications are sent through a RedCap survey. Applicants will complete questions, upload documents, and references will be contacted via RedCap after their information is sent through the system. 

Is there a way to save of application and return later to complete it? 

Yes, you can start your application and return later - using the "Save & Return Later" button at the bottom of the application. RedCap will give you a link and/or access code so you can finish it at a later date. Try to avoid starting a second application. In some cases, applicants will load the same references into the application twice. This is start an automated process where references will be getting email message to complete two reference checks - for the same person. If you lose the link or cannot locate it, please contact us and we will be resend it to you. 

Can an undergraduate apply to a project that is only open to graduate level students? 

No. The Redcap survey is designed to align to an applicant's current academic standing and degree level selected by the mentor. 

Does everything listed in the application requirements need to handed in before the deadline? 

Yes. These elements are vital for the reviewers to gauge an intern. Please note, this includes your references; a reference will be sent a link to complete, and this must be done before the deadline as well. Applications missing any requirement will not go forward. Additionally, applicants must have a GPA equal to/higher than 3.0 to be considered for the program. 

What needs to be included in the personal statement? 

The personal statement is an opportunity for interns to make a connection from a mentor's project to their own experiences. In particular, successful interns have taken an example, explained how it connected to a project's requirements (e.g., SAS or data population), and then explained how SRIP would help them continue their growth educationally/professionally. It becomes a case of making connections from a mentor's project to what the applicant has accomplished. In short, look at the position's requirements/details of the project, and then explain how your past/current experiences make this opportunity ideal for all parties. 

Who should be selected as references? 

References should be given by individuals in the scientific/academic community who have knowledge of your scientific accomplishments, motivation, scientific interests, and skills.  

If I am selected as an intern, what onboarding processes do I need to accomplish before the program starts? 

If you are selected, you will work with our Human Resources department to complete background checks and system requirements, such as an employee health screening. As a State of Wisconsin health care system, employees are required to have immunizations on record. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not move forward and will be excluded from SRIP.  

What do I need to know if I am considering an onsite internship position? 

Interns who will be onsite are offered housing at Villas at Marshfield paid for by MCRI. Travel arrangements to-and-from MCRI are not covered by MCRI for housed interns. This includes your initial travel to MCRI before the program starts and your travel after the program ends - as well as your daily travel to MCRI. It is advised that interns have a mode of transportation of their own (i.e., a car or bike) during the course of their internship. Onsite interns are provided an office space - which could be with another intern. Office spaces depend on mentors and the centers that hosts them.

Please reference the SRIP Intern Handbook for additional details. 

What happens during the program?  

Interns work with a research scientist and his/her team on an independent project that is part of a larger research endeavor. Interns learn the project’s background by reviewing the scientific literature, help with the study design or planning the project, collect and analyzes the data, and learn the skills necessary for successful project completion. Throughout this process, interns meet regularly with their mentor to discuss findings and plan new approaches if needed. Additionally, interns attend an IRB meeting, lead a journal club discussion, and have opportunities to attend scientific seminars, journal clubs, medical Grand Rounds, and other educational opportunities, including grant basics, literature review foundations, importance of useful visuals, and public speaking. These activities support interns' final project, a presentation at the SRIP Symposium.    

What does a typical week look like during the program?

A typical week may look like the calendar below during the program. During time when workshops, meetings, and/or presentations are not happening, interns will be working on their final projects.