RISE-UP Program | UC Davis MIND Institute

• Orientation at Kennedy Krieger Institute Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD: May 25 – May 29, 2026
• Program at UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA: June 15 – July 24, 2026

Please note: these dates are subject to change; check the Kennedy Krieger Institute website for up-to-date information.

• Stipend: A stipend of $4,900 is provided to all UC Davis program participants. Housing and round-trip travel for out-of-state scholars are also available. All program activities are contingent on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding.
• Transportation: The program will cover flights between sites. 

• Orientation in Baltimore: Housing will be organized by Kennedy Krieger Institute.
• During the 6 Weeks in Sacramento: Students will stay in a local college dormitory at California State University, Sacramento, CA. Housing is covered by the program.

To be considered for acceptance into this program, the applicant must:

• Be a current sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate student, or a post-baccalaureate student, or have received a baccalaureate degree within 12 months prior to May 24, 2026.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident.
• Be able to commit to the length of the program.

The application opens on Nov. 3, 2025, and closes on Jan. 31, 2026. Please apply Here.

Where is the program taking place?

• Scholars are typically in Baltimore at the Kennedy Krieger Institute for 1 week, and they then travel to Sacramento at the UC Davis MIND Institute for 6 weeks. Following their time in Sacramento, scholars travel to Atlanta at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the Showcase and Expo for 3 days. Exact dates and timing are subject to change based on CDC/KKI expectations, so please see program dates above for more specific information.

Will all expenses be covered?

• All air travel and lodging is covered by the program. Scholars are responsible for any ground transportation, parking, and most meals. Scholars will receive a $4,900 stipend for their participation in the program.

How am I paired with a mentor?

• Scholars and mentors are paired based on a number of factors, with matching and prioritizing shared interests with available mentors whenever possible.  All mentors have a focus on neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health, and maternal and child health.

What are some examples of community/clinical sites?

• Community Sites: Previous scholars have worked with the California Department of Public Health, UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, St. John’s Women’s Shelter, and the Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation Center.
• Clinical Sites: Previous participants have done observations in various clinics at the MIND Institute, and UC Davis Children’s Hospital, including being done in pediatrics, genomic medicine, and child psychiatry.  Scholars learn alongside various healthcare professionals by observing clinical appointments, evaluations, and didactics.
• Accessibility to sites and clinics ranges each year due to many factors. 
  

What are some options for summer projects?

• Scholars will work on developing a project that is specifically focused on neurodevelopmental conditions and public health. They will be guided in their creation of a poster and presentation with their mentor that is focused on their interest. Scholars will learn the fundamental skills related to identifying an interest, developing a question, engaging in the extant literature, and applying best practices in clinical and research settings. Please refer to the examples of posters by former scholars who worked with mentors in our program.

Who are the mentors?

• Mentors have a wide range of clinical and research interests, and their work is united by being tied to neurodevelopmental conditions and the well-being of families. This includes faculty and other leaders at the MIND Institute and other parts of the UC Davis community. They include physicians, psychologists, and other health professionals who are committed to mentoring and supporting students. Our mentors and preceptors volunteer their time to support our summer scholars. 

Where will I be housed?

• Scholars share space with each other in dorms at California State University, Sacramento. Resident Advisors are on-site if scholars need anything. Housing assignments are given upon coming to Sacramento.

What is the UC Davis MIND Institute? 

• The MIND Institute is an interdisciplinary, collaborative research, clinical, and educational center committed to deepening our scientific understanding of the challenges associated with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The MIND Institute has a strong emphasis on reaching families through its community and interdisciplinary training.