The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) has selected its fifth annual cohort of medical students, welcoming a new class of future physician-investigators committed to advancing community-engaged clinical research and improving participation in clinical trials.
This year’s cohort includes outstanding medical students from institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico who will participate in a six-week summer experience designed to introduce future physicians to clinical research early in their careers. Through immersive training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, students gain exposure to the role clinical trials play in improving patient outcomes and expanding access to innovative therapies.
Winn CIPP is part of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards), a national initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of clinical investigators equipped to engage communities and improve participation in clinical trials. The program is implemented under the direction of Dr. Robert A. Winn, who was recently appointed as vice president and cancer center director at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
The program was founded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, in 2020 and is supported through collaboration with multiple organizations and industry partners united by a shared commitment to improving participation in clinical trials and expanding access to research opportunities.
“Clinical trials are essential to improving patient care and advancing medicine, but meaningful progress requires researchers who understand the importance of engaging communities, overcoming barriers, and building trust,” said Dr. Robert A. Winn. “These students represent the future of clinical research leadership, and we are proud to support them as they begin this journey.”
The Winn CIPP experience combines mentorship, education, service-learning, and exposure to clinical and translational research environments at leading institutions across the country. Students also participate in educational programming focused on community engagement, clinical research operations, patient-centered communication, and career development. The program culminates in a weekend symposium that brings the entire cohort together to connect, present research, and learn from clinical research leaders.
Funders for the 2026 cohort include the BMS Foundation , Gilead Sciences , Amgen , Genentech , and AstraZeneca .
Poised to become future leaders in community-oriented clinical research, Winn CIPP students are helping build a future where clinical research better reflects and serves all communities.
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) is transforming the future of clinical research. Through rigorous training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, we empower researchers with the skills and expertise to engage a broader range of patients — ensuring that the communities enrolled in trials reflect the populations affected by disease. By bridging this gap, we help advance treatments that are safer and more effective for all. Visit www.winnawards.org for more information.
The Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program is an immersive 6-week summer experience that introduces medical students to clinical research early in their training, instilling a research and community-oriented perspective that guides them throughout their careers. This foundation ensures that when they embark on their own research or patient care, clinical trials remain a key consideration.
Visit www.winnawards.org for more information.