Clinical Research Coordinator Program

Are you ready to launch your career in the biomedical workforce?

The SoCa Clinical Research Coordinator Training Program* (CRC Program) prepares trainees for careers as Clinical Research Coordinators through didactic training modules and interactive job shadowing. We provide participants with both the knowledge and the skills necessary to begin new careers as CRCs.

SoCa supports the participation of students whose varied experiences are vital for scientific innovation. We welcome those who are the first in their family to attend college, have faced socioeconomic hardship, come from under-resourced educational backgrounds, live with disabilities, or bring lived or chosen experiences that reflect a strong commitment to marginalized communities. We also value the resilience of individuals who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of education. All candidates who identify with these experiences are encouraged to apply.

Program Details:

  • 10 days of virtual modules from 10am – 4pm. Modules teach the core competencies of clinical research coordinators.

  • 20 hours of job shadowing at either Weill Cornell Medicine or Columbia University. Shadowing ranges from administrative to clinical environments.

  • Participants receive a one-time stipend of $1,300.

Program Outcomes:

  • Graduates will be presented with a certificate of completion after concluding the program

  • Graduates will receive support in their CRC job search

Program Timeline:

  • Virtual modules run from January 7th, 2027 - January 21st, 2027

  • The job shadowing must be completed by April 2nd, 2027

  • Applications are due by end of day on October 16th, 2026

Program Eligibility:

  • Must be one of the following:

    • An undergraduate graduating in Spring 2027, or

    • A post-baccalaureate trainee, or

    • A master-level trainee graduating in Spring 2027

  • Must be available to participate in all 10 days of virtual modules

  • Must be available to participate in all 20 hours of in-person job shadowing

  • Must possess a strong commitment to reducing cancer rates and outcomes in persistent poverty areas in New York City

  • U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence are eligible to apply.

CRC Program Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SoCa CRC Training Program is part of the Center for Social Capital which is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of the training program is to reduce cancer rates in persistent poverty census tracts throughout New York City.

    The SoCa CRC Training Program is composed of didactic modules and a shadowing experience. The didactic modules are based on the core competencies for the clinical research professional. In addition, we will provide professional development sessions that will prepare scholars to apply for a CRC position at the end of the training program as well as opportunities to network.

  • The goal of the SoCa CRC Training program is to prepare a pool of CRC-applicants to join the Cancer Clinical Trials Programs at Weill Cornell’s Meyer Cancer Center and Columbia University’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

  • A Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) is a specialized research professional who manages the day-to-day activities of clinical research studies. Their responsibilities are wide reaching depending on study needs and they play a critical role in ensuring that research is conducted in accordance with trial protocols, regulations, and with the highest ethical standards.

  • In general, CRCs are responsible for the day-to-day activities of research studies, such as:

    • IRB submissions

    • Protocol Development/Standard Operating Procedures

    • Facilitating consent and its documentation

    • Recruitment and enrollment of study participants

    • Research participant screening and eligibility

    • Data entry and quality control

    • Study participant tracking/scheduling

    • Correspondence with participants and pertinent organizations

    • Assist with publications and presentations

  • The theoretical and practical modules usually take place during the winter and are offered through zoom. 

  • Yes, you will receive a compensation of $1,300 following the training experience.

  • As part of the shadowing experience scholars will have the opportunity to shadow CRCs, Research Administrators, and Physicians from Weill Cornell’s Meyer Cancer Center or Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center for a total of 20 hours during the Spring Semester.

  • Yes, when the scholars complete their shadowing experiences. 

  • Thank you for your interest in the program! Recruitment is closed at this time. Please check back in fall 2026 for information on the next cohort.

  • No, letters of recommendation are not required. You just need to submit the contact information for your references. In this manner the SoCa application committee can contact the references on your list if they desire to do so.

  • For additional information you can contact Nicol Combs at nib4013@med.cornell.edu

*The CRC Program is adapted from SF BUILD-UCSF/SF State CIRCLE Program. SoCa sincerely thanks our colleagues at UCSF for their assistance in preparing our program. See here for more information on the SF BUILD-UCSF/SF State CIRCLE Program