Radiology Initiative for Scholarly Engagement (RISE Program)

The RISE program provides an opportunity for high school, college, and medical students to participate in basic science, translational, or clinical radiology research projects. The program supports the establishment of a relationship between a student and a talented and successful faculty researcher within the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. Students will spend 8 weeks during the summer working with a faculty mentor on a research project.

The student’s research experience will culminate in an abstract to be submitted for presentation at the department Summer Students Symposium. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts to meetings and collaborate on any potential manuscripts that might arise out of their work.

Accepted students will be matched with a project of interest and a mentor. The full scope of the department’s innovative research programs can be found on our research page.

Eligible applicants can include students with commitments to advancing and sustaining opportunity inclusive to all communities and/or coming from a medically, economically, or educationally disadvantaged populations. On the application, you will be asked to explain how you qualify. Participants may be at the high school, college, or medical student level. Medical students who will have completed their first year of medical school are strongly encouraged to apply for the summer following their first year. Advanced medical students are also eligible to participate, as their schedule and required clinical rotations permit.

Generally, students who have received RISE funding in prior years are no longer eligible to receive funding through this program.

Participation includes a stipend commensurate with trainee education level. High school, college students, and medical students participating in the RISE program will receive a stipend of $3000, $4300, and $5000, respectively. 

The research program takes place during the summer. The start date is flexible and students may begin their program any time between June 1st and July 1st.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, income received as a stipend is generally included in gross income for federal income tax purposes. Students are responsible for establishing the amount of their taxable income and for making any required payments of estimated tax.

No, neither health insurance nor housing is provided through this program.

Applications for the Summer 2026 cycle are now closed. The portal will reopen for the Summer 2027 cycle in December 2026.

A complete application must include the following uploaded components in addition to the online application:

1. Personal statement: Please describe any previous experiences in medical research and discuss why you are interested in radiology research. Please also give a sense of your short-term career plans. Do not exceed 500 words.
2. Current CV
3. Current transcript (For high school or college students)
4. Letter of recommendation: This should be from a teacher or faculty member who can comment on your academic performance and potential for clinical research. Please notify your reference well in advance of the deadline. Once you have submitted your application, your reference will receive an e-mail asking them to submit their recommendation through the online application site.