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What is TRIPxJ&J?

The Teen Research Internship Program sponsored by Johnson and Johnson (TRIPxJ&J) is a hands-on learning program for high school students who are motivated to explore their interests in science and medicine. At its core, the program aims to foster a love for science whilst building resiliency, communication, and critical thinking skills outside the traditional confines of school.

The program is split into three phases, including Project Design, Experimentation, and Communication. During the Project Design phase, students use their creativity and curiosity to develop potential research questions surrounding the impact of diet, inflammation, and environmental stress on organismal health, development and behavior, while learning basic lab and problem-solving skills. During the Experimentation phase, students perform experiments, learn to collect and analyze data, and, most importantly, learn how to think through and overcome failure. In the final phase, students present their findings to the scientific community, their peers and their family in a scientific symposium where they gain insight into the real world and big picture applications of their work.

Beyond the lab, students also receive one-on-one mentoring with Fox Chase faculty; they learn team building and leadership skills, get exposure to careers in science and become part of a family of driven and curious students.

As a Johnson and Johnson sponsored program, students who successfully complete the program will receive a one-time stipend of approximately $1,300.

Stories from our past students can be found on TRIP's official webpage (http://www.tripinitiative.com/blog), Facebook, and Instagram pages (@TRIPInitiative).

When does the program begin and end?

The 2026 TRIPxJ&J starts September 8th, 2026, and runs through November 7th, 2026 (9 weeks). After the in-lab portion of the course concludes, students present their work at a scientific symposium on Saturday, November 21st, 2026.

Two sessions of the program will be offered. Session A meets Tuesdays, 4:00 PM–7:45 PM, and Session B meets Saturdays, 8:30 AM–12:15 PM. Up to 8 students will be enrolled in each session. All classes will be held at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Who is eligible to apply to TRIP?

Rising 9th–12th grade students enrolled in schools in the Philadelphia School District or Montgomery County who will be at least 16 years of age by September 8th, 2026 are eligible to apply to TRIP.

Students must commit to attend ALL days of the program, including the symposium, in either Session A or B. Note that the program may run through SAT and ACT test dates, prom, and/or spring break.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE, MEANING ANY ABSENCE THAT IS NOT A DOCUMENTED ILLNESS OR PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED AND APPROVED ABSENCE, WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.

Parents/Guardians must confirm and agree to the attendance policy.

What are your preferred pronouns? Check all that apply.

This information is collected ensure applicants are addressed properly and respectfully. Your response has no impact on the review of applications or acceptance into the program. This information will not be shared with reviewers.

Please indicate your ethnic background by checking the box of all those that apply.

This information is collected only for the purposes of grant applications and has no impact on the review of applications or acceptance into the program. This information will not be shared with reviewers.

Your responses to the following questions will NOT be shared with application reviewers. However, students must commit to attend ALL days of the program (including the symposium) in either Session A or B. Note that the program may run through SAT, ACT, or other testing dates. Parents/Guardians must agree to the attendance policy.


 Applicants who are unable to commit to attending all of the days of the program in either Session A or Session B will be disqualified.
About TRIP
Essays

Your responses to the following essay questions will be shared with the TRIPxJ&J application reviewers.

Suggestions for completing this application
We are looking for motivated and curious applicants that can think and express themselves logically. You don't have to have a high GPA, previously lab experience or be a superstar...just be you. Be sure to use your answers to tell us who you are.

Take your time to answer each of the following questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. You will be compared to all other applicants based upon the answers given here; therefore, make sure we learn about who YOU are and what you are interested in. Don't BS your way through the answers or give the answer you think we want to read. Be sure to explain yourself FULLY. Don't make the reviewers guess at what you mean--be clear.

Incomplete sentences, spelling errors, and poorly thought-out responses will NEGATIVELY affect the review of your application. Therefore, to prevent mistakes, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to compose your answers in a word processing program and then paste them into this application. Be sure to have an adult (e.g. your parents, high school counselor, or mentor) read through your application PRIOR to submission.

BE HONEST IN YOUR RESPONSES. APPLICANTS SUSPECTED OF AI GENERATED RESPONSES MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE PROGRAM.

Use the 250-word limit! Don't miss an opportunity to tell us about yourself.

Please direct all questions to Dr. Theresa Austria at tripinitiative@gmail.com. Please use "TRIPxJ&J@FCCC'26" in the subject line of all emails regarding the 2026 program.
 

Letter of Recommendation

Please enter the name and email of an individual who has agreed to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. 
 Each application requires one letter of recommendation. The letter can come from, but is not limited to, the following individuals: High school administrator (Assistant Principal, Principal, etc.), high school teacher (math, science, English, art, etc.), coach, minister or clergyman, or a supervisor from a current/previous job, club or volunteer position.

Please hit the SUBMIT button to complete your application.
Application Submission Confirmation
By submitting your application, you confirm that if accepted, you will:
  • Commit to attending all scheduled days of either Session 1 or Session 2.
  • Understand that any unexcused absence (anything other than a documented illness or a pre-approved absence) will result in dismissal from the program.
 

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