At CILDI, we believe in investing in the next generation of leaders, researchers, and change-makers. We offer structured programs designed to support individual career development through hands-on experience, mentorship, and collaborative learning. Whether you’re seeking an internship, fellowship, or future offerings like scholarships or research assistantships, this is your gateway to becoming part of our dynamic community.
Research Fellowship Program »
Research Internship Program »
Research Fellowship Program
The Center for Immersive Learning and Digital Innovation (CILDI) at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing invites doctoral students and faculty to apply for the CILDI Research Fellowship.
This fellowship provides an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research projects that advance immersive learning, simulation, digital innovation, healthcare education, and patient outcomes.
Purpose: The CILDI Research Fellowship is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and scholarly productivity. Fellows will work alongside CILDI researchers to drive initiatives that integrate technology and education to improve health outcomes.
Eligibility:
- Doctoral students from health sciences, education, engineering, or related fields.
- Faculty members (junior, mid-career, or senior) interested in immersive learning, simulation, digital innovation, or healthcare education research.
- Domestic and international applicants (external funding encouraged for all participants).
Fellowship Benefits:
- Formal designation as a CILDI Research Fellow.
- Access to CILDI research projects, innovation initiatives, and collaborative opportunities.
- Mentorship in research, scholarly writing, and grant development.
- Opportunities for co-authorship on manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations.
- Recognition on the CILDI website.
- Certificate of Fellowship upon successful completion.
Important Note on Funding: At this time, the CILDI Research Fellowship does not include a financial stipend. Fellows will benefit from meaningful research experiences, scholarly development opportunities, and formal recognition for their contributions. International applicants are welcome but must have independent funding.
Fellowship Expectations:
- Active participation in at least one CILDI research or innovation project during the fellowship term.
- Contribution to scholarly dissemination efforts (e.g., abstracts, conference presentations, manuscripts).
- Attendance at regular research team meetings or events.
- Optional mentorship of CILDI undergraduate and high school interns.
- Completion of a final deliverable (e.g., research product, presentation, or manuscript draft).
Fellowship Term:
- Fellowship terms typically last for one academic year (August–May) or Summer term (May–August)
- Renewal for additional terms is possible based on project needs and fellow engagement
Research Internship Program
The Center for Immersive Learning and Digital Innovation (CILDI) at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing invites high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to apply for a unique research internship opportunity.
This internship is designed for students interested in healthcare innovation, immersive learning, digital technologies, and interdisciplinary research. Interns will work closely with faculty, researchers, and innovators on projects exploring new ways to enhance education, clinical practice, and patient outcomes using technologies such as simulation, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
Why Apply?
- Gain valuable hands-on research experience in a university setting.
- Develop skills in literature review, data collection and analysis, digital innovation, simulation development, and project management.
- Strengthen your résumé or academic portfolio with real-world experience.
- Learn from and network with faculty leaders and innovation experts.
- Explore career pathways in healthcare, research, education, and technology.
What the Internship Entails:
- Flexible project assignments based on interests and skills.
- Opportunities to contribute to ongoing research studies and innovation projects.
- Attendance at research team meetings, workshops, or lab activities as available.
- Completion of a final deliverable (e.g., research poster, presentation, project summary) at the end of the internship.
Commitment:
- Internships are available year-round (Summer, Fall, Spring, and Winter Break).
- Time commitment is flexible, ranging from 5 to 20 hours per week depending on availability and project needs.
- Internships can be completed in-person, hybrid, or remotely.
Recognition:
- Students who successfully complete their internship responsibilities will receive a Certificate of Completion indicating the total number of hours contributed.
- Strong-performing interns may also be eligible to receive a personalized letter of recommendation based on their performance and engagement.
