Project L/EARN seeks to attract undergraduates to careers in health research and policy, and to provide them with the research training and experience needed to enter graduate programs in health-related fields. By increasing the number of well-trained undergraduate students from low-income families, first generation college-attendees, and members of certain ethnic and cultural groups, Project L/EARN addresses the need identified in the Healthy People 2010 Objectives to broaden the range of ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic perspectives in health research.

A highly-structured ten week summer program provides interns with numerous opportunities to acquire and apply new research skills. Interns participate in daily workshops that provide training in research methods, study design, data management, statistics and research writing. Each intern is individually matched with a faculty mentor, who oversees a research project that results in a full-fledged research paper and seminar-style presentation. Interns are provided with a stipend, tuition remission, and room and board to help to ensure accessibility to students from all economic backgrounds.

Ongoing academic year apprenticeships with faculty after the summer training program facilitate provide continued research training and experience, increasing their chances of internships, fellowships and grant opportunities for graduate school. Guidance in the graduate school application process is also provided. In addition, the RWJF grant includes funds to support interns' attendance at professional meetings, GRE preparation, and training workshops.

In the years since its founding, Project L/EARN has helped dozens of students enroll in master’s and doctoral programs, and launch successful careers in health research, policy, and academia in fields such as public health, psychology, social work, medical sociology, health law, and medicine.