Skip to main content
RAPS Convergence 2024 Main banner
  1. Home
.

RAPS Convergence 2025
Student Program Guidelines & Policies:

RAPS Student Capstone Program & Student Ambassador Program

Please review the following carefully. The Student Capstone and Ambassador programs will have different submission deadlines and different submission portals. RAPS is currently only accepting submissions for the Capstone program, the application portal for the Ambassador program will open in late spring 2025, please check back after the new year for more information.

Please direct all questions to convergence@raps.org.

Student Capstone Program

Poster Display and Oral Presentation Submissions

The Student Capstone Program offers recent graduates (within one year) an opportunity to present original research or capstone projects. This initiative allows participants to gain professional experience, engage with peers, and receive recognition for their contributions to the field.

A limited number of Capstone poster displays and presentations may be accepted.

Eligibility Policies & Guidelines:

  • Open to graduates within one year of completing their capstone project
  • Prior Student Capstone Program participants are not eligible to submit or participate in the capstone program again
  • An individual student may submit up to four proposals (any combination of poster or oral); but only one proposal per student will be accepted to avoid scheduling conflicts
  • One student author may be listed per submission
  • All capstones must be submitted online through the submission system by the deadline; no extensions or exceptions will be granted
  • Eligible students may apply to the Student Ambassador Program in addition to submitting a Capstone proposal
  • RAPS membership is not required

2025 Program Application Timeline:

  • Opens: December 6, 2024
  • Closes: January 22, 2025
  • Notifications Sent: April 2025

Capstone Submission Options:

  1. Poster Display: Posters are displayed in the RAPS Career Central (exhibit hall) during the main conference with published presentation times. A formal presentation is not required
  2. Oral Presentation: 10-minute Capstone presentation delivered in RAPS Career Central (exhibit hall) during the main conference

Submission Tracks:

  • Biopharmaceuticals
  • Drugs
  • In Vitro Diagnostics
  • Medical Devices
  • Other

Participant Responsibilities:

  • Poster Display: Print and transport their own poster for onsite display
  • Oral Presentation: Prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation onsite.
  • Follow event policies and assigned schedules

Benefits:

  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Invitation to Honoring Excellence Awards Ceremony
  • Recognition in online program agenda
  • Access to sessions and networking opportunities during times when students are not scheduled for program responsibilities or presentations

Student Ambassador Program

Applying to Become a Student Ambassador

The Student Ambassador Program provides current university students with hands-on professional experience supporting RAPS Convergence operations. Ambassadors contribute to event logistics while gaining skills, industry exposure, and networking opportunities in a dynamic environment.

Up to thirty (30) students may be selected for the Student Ambassador Program.

Eligibility Policies & Guidelines:

  • Open to students currently enrolled in a university program (related to the field) who do not receive employer support for travel
  • Previous participants in the Student Ambassador Program are not eligible to participate again
  • RAPS membership is not required
  • Students who have applied for or been accepted for a Student Capstone proposal may also apply to become a Student Ambassador

2025 Student Ambassador Application Timeline:

  • Opens: April 21, 2025
  • Closes: May 16, 2025
  • Notifications Sent: Late May 2025

Ambassador Roles & Key Areas of Support:

Areas of support may include, but are not limited to:

  • Session room monitoring, badge scanning, ticket collection (e.g., Preconference Workshops, Main Conference Sessions, Solutions Circles, etc.)
  • Attendee greeting, queue management, and wayfinding
  • Providing support as needed in key RAPS focus areas (e.g., RAPS Community Giveback Booth, RAPS Headshot Lounge, etc.)

Participant Responsibilities:

  • Students must fulfill all assigned tasks and remain flexible for additional duties
  • Students must adhere to conference conduct policies and maintain professionalism throughout the event

Benefits:

  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Travel Stipend ($250.00 USD):
    • Up to $250.00 (USD) reimbursement for eligible travel costs (e.g., airfare, train tickets, or meals incurred while traveling to or from the event)
    • Stipends are only issued post-event upon submission of a completed reimbursement form and required travel receipts by the specified deadline
  • Invitation to Honoring Excellence Awards Ceremony
  • Recognition in online program agenda
  • Access to sessions and networking opportunities during non-assigned hours

RAPS Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Purpose
With the increasing popularity of generative AI chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, RAPS has created the following policy to outline the use of AI tools. While RAPS remains committed to adopting new technologies to aid our mission, RAPS understands the risks and limitations of generative AI and wants to ensure responsible use of these tools. We aim to protect content, employees, members, clients, suppliers, customers, volunteers, subject matter experts, and the organization from harm.

Overview
While generative AI chatbots—both standalone and integrated with other software packages—can be used to perform a variety of functions, this policy addresses the use of any AI generation tool for the purpose of doing business with and for RAPS.

Policy
RAPS will adhere to all AI laws and regulations nationally and internationally in our business locations. This policy may be revised to adhere to these laws and regulations further.

All AI-generated content must be reviewed for copyright infringement and accuracy before being used for work purposes. If copyright infringement cannot be ruled out, and if a reliable source cannot be found to verify information generated by the chatbot, that information cannot be used.

External individuals (Submitters), including but not limited to subject matter experts, content leaders, volunteers, RAPS leadership, fellows, governance committee members, and those who seek to earn credentials, etc., must adhere to the following:

The Submitter warrants that all content and materials provided hereunder are based on the knowledge of and original expertise of the Submitter and that no portion of the content or material has been originally created using AI or any other automated content generation tool. AI tools may be used for research purposes, to check grammar, to improve language and formatting, and to summarize the submission. RAPS reserves the right to review the content or material submitted for originality.

Additional or modified agreements and requirements may be identified during application for certifications or for other content or material submission processes.

Ethical Use
All RAPS use of AI must be in accordance with its conduct, unbiased, and anti-discrimination policies. These technologies must not be used to create inappropriate, discriminatory, unethical, or otherwise harmful content.

Questions
For any inquiries about this policy, feel free to reach out to us at privacy@raps.org.