External Grants & Opportunities

A Program for Medical Students from Backgrounds Traditionally Underrepresented in Medicine

Goal: To provide opportunity for intensive training in cancer population science for medical students who are from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine.

Program: The Fellowship will provide a one-year mentored training experience in research focused on cancer care delivery and outcomes. We specifically seek applicants who are from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in medicine (URiM) in order to enhance diversity within the field and bring needed voices into population sciences research.

Students will spend one year (July 2024-June 2025) conducting mentored research within the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, Massachusetts, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Examples of potential areas of focus include cancer care quality, cancer care delivery, health communication, health equity, informatics, ethics, supportive care interventions, and palliative care, among other areas of interest of faculty. The year will start with the 7-week Program in Clinical Effectiveness at the Harvard School of Public Health in July and August, coursework that will help provide the student with a background in research methods. The student will then continue the program of research at DFCI. Based on interests identified at the time of application, the student will be guided toward an appropriate mentor who will provide research oversight and supervision. The mentor will work closely with the student to develop a research question and plan, to assist the student in carrying out the research project, and to facilitate dissemination of research findings through talks and publications upon completion. The goal will be for the student to complete a research project over the course of the year and gain experience in academic oncology as a career path.

An additional career mentor will be assigned to meet with the student regularly to provide academic and career guidance and to foster connections with others in the field.

The student will receive salary support as well as tuition for the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and a stipend for research costs. The student will have designated workspace within the Division and access to a computer.

We encourage students from medical schools across the US to apply.

Faculty Director: Jennifer Mack, MD MPH, Director of the Center for Outcomes and Policy Research and Associate Chief of the Division of Population Sciences, DFCI

Application Process: Interested students should send the following to Nicole Santangelo (Nicole_santangelo@dfci.harvard.edu) by November 14, 2023:

• A completed application
• A personal statement describing background and motivation to pursue the fellowship program (up to one page)
• A statement summarizing an interesting question in cancer care delivery and outcomes research and possible ways to answer it through research (up to ½ page)
• A medical school transcript
• Curriculum vitae
• A letter of recommendation

Note: The National Institutes of Health considers the following groups to be underrepresented in biomedical research:

• Individuals from racial and ethnic groups such as Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders
• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Women from the above backgrounds

Questions can be directed to: nicole_santangelo@dfci.harvard.edu

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) is a year-long research immersion program for future clinician-scientists that advances health by inspiring careers in biomedical research. By engaging students in basic, clinical, or translational research investigations, offering a curriculum rich in didactics and professional development, and featuring a robust mentorship and advising program, MRSP prepares its Scholars to become tomorrow’s leaders in medicine and biomedical research.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

• The 10-12 month program is designed for students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a strong interest in conducting basic, translational, clinical or epidemiological research and are currently enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year at an accredited medical, dental, or veterinary program.
• Candidates currenly enrolled in PhD programs or in MD/PhD programs are not eligible to apply.
• Fourth-year medical students who intend to participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) are not eligible to apply to the NIH MRSP. If a student decides to participate in the NRMP after submitting a completed NIH MRSP application, the NIH MRSP application must be withdrawn. Accepted fourth-year students must defer graduation before participation.

Stipend and Allowances:

• NIH MRSP participants receive an annual stipend of approximately $41,000,
• Furnished residential housing
• Relocation Allowance
• Funding support for conference travel, scientific courses, and textbooks

Due Dates: The deadline for the application for this program usually opens in October and applications are due in early January 2024

Medical students interested in applying should contact Matt Layne to discuss about their applications and assistance our Proposal Development office can provide.

Matthew Layne, PhD
Assistant Dean of Research
mlayne@bu.edu

The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) for medical students is one of the program initiatives of the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program, a $114 million initiative funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen. This national program is designed to increase diversity in clinical trials and transform the clinical research landscape.

Winn CIPP is a 6-week intensive and immersive summer service-learning externship that provides medical students (MD, MD/PhD, DO, DO/PhD) who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM) and/or from a disadvantaged background with opportunities to experience and participate in clinical research conducted in community-based clinical research settings (e.g., community health centers, safety net hospitals, clinical research organizations). The goal of the Winn CIPP is to expose medical students to career pathways in clinical research, particularly community-oriented research that is focused on increasing inclusion, equity, and diversity in the conduct of clinical and translational research. During the program, Winn CIPP Students will gain exposure to clinical research and acquire community engagement and leadership skills.

The 2024 Winn CIPP will take place during two 6-week program periods:

• Group 1: Monday, June 3rd – Friday, July 12th, 2024
• Group 2: Monday, June 10th – Friday, July 19th, 2024

In 2024, Winn CIPP Site Partners will be located in the following cities (cities are subject to change):

Atlanta, GA                 Chicago, IL

Los Angeles, CA          Louisville, KY

New Orleans, LA         New York, NY

Phoenix, AZ                 Richmond, VA

San Antonio, TX          Seattle, WA

Stipend: Winn CIPP students receive a $7,500 stipend for their participation during the externship.

During the program, they learn the basics of clinical trials and work at community-based clinical research organizations to provide outreach, education, and engagement on clinical trials. Students will receive training in three areas:

• Clinical Research – Students gain clinical research exposure through engagement with clinical investigators in community-based clinical research organizations and academic medical centers.
• Community Engagement – Students develop team-based service-learning projects, in which they conduct short-term capacity-building interventions, such as community needs assessments or implement patient initiatives (education, outreach, and/or informational programs). Students will design and conduct their projects in collaboration with site supervisors.
• Leadership Development – Students are introduced to clinical research career development pathways and receive mentoring that supports their development of community-oriented clinical research leadership skills.

Due Date: The application will be open through January 8, 2024.

How to Apply: Students may apply through the following link.

Sponsor Contact: For questions about this program contact Desiree Vasquez, Program Manager at vasquezd4@vcu.edu or email general questions to WinnCIPP@vcu.edu.

Medical students interested in applying should contact Matt Layne to discuss about their applications and assistance our Proposal Development office can provide.

Matthew Layne, PhD
Assistant Dean for Research
mlayne@bu.edu

The Sarnoff Fellowship Program offers medical students enrolled in accredited US medical school the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a biomedical research facility in the United States. Although applicants may have prior research experience, applications are also encouraged from students without extensive prior research experience. The mission of the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation is to engage medical students in a personalized research experience with preeminent cardiovascular scientists and to foster the next generation of leaders in the field.

Fellows are selected on the basis of a national competition. Sarnoff seeks individual with demonstrated intellectual and academic achievement, as well as leadership ability.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

• Applicants enrolled in an MD/PhD program will not be eligible for a Sarnoff Fellowship.
• Applications are encouraged from second and third-year medical students. Fourth year medical students are required to submit an official letter from their medical school granting graduation deferment.
• There are no citizenship requirements for application. But those who are not US citizens must have and maintain an appropriate visa.
• The Sarnoff Foundation strongly encourage applicants from members of underrepresented or historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Stipend and allowances: $35,000 annual stipend with allowances up to $8,000 for travel support, moving expenses, health insurance and funds for travel to present paper at two national conferences.

The application deadline for the 2024-25 Sarnoff Fellowship Program is due January 10, 2024. Application

Medical students interested in applying should contact Matt Layne to discuss about their applications and assistance our Proposal Development office can provide.

Matthew Layne, PhD
Assistant Dean for Research
mlayne@bu.edu

The Physician-Scientist Support Foundation (PSSF) Medical Scholars Research Fellowship (MSRF) provides research opportunities and mentoring to students who aspire to become physician-scientists and are dedicated to making fundamental discoveries that improve health. The MSRF is a key component of PSSF’s mission to revitalize, grow and support the career pathway for physician-scientists. The fellowship supports one year of mentored, rigorous research training in fundamental biomedical research. All applicants must be nominated by the medical school dean. The medical school dean can nominate only one applicant in any competition year.

Stipend and allowances: For the 2024 fellowship year, the total amount awarded to each Medical Student Fellow is $50,000. The annual stipend is $42,000. In addition to the stipend, the award includes an allowance of $8,000 for health insurance and travel expenses.

Eligibility: The MSRF is open to United States citizens and U.S. permanent residents only. Prior research experience is not required. Single-degree medical students interested in a dual career in research and patient care are eligible. Members of minority groups underrepresented in medicine and science are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are responsible for selecting a research mentor at any academic or nonprofit research institution in the United States, except for a government laboratory. Research proposal preparation is a key component of the application process.

Internal Review Process: Interested medical students should submit the following materials listed below via InfoReady Review by Monday, October 16, 2023 at 12 noon.

• Questions outlined in InfoReady Review application
• A brief statement (< 1 page single space) by the medical student describing their planned research. Citations can be on second page
• One-page personal statement by medical student explaining how the proposed experience will contribute to their future career, and what they want to achieve with an extra year in medical school for research
• Updated CV or Biosketch. The research statement, personal statement, and CV should be assembled into a single PDF for submission
• Letter of support submitted directly from the research mentor (not by the student)

A faculty committee will review proposals and select a nominee.

Due Dates:

• Internal due date for student’s documents: Monday, October 16, 2023 at 12 noon
• Mentor’s letter of support: Monday, October 30, 2023 at 12noon
• Sponsor’s due date: Thursday, January 11, 2024

If you have any questions about the application process or the program please contact:

Matthew Layne, PhD
Assistant Dean for Research
mlayne@bu.edu

The Center for Vascular Research (CVR) located at the University of Maryland & Baltimore VA is dedicated to high-quality clinical and translational research by engaging in the following:

1. Fundamental discoveries of the causes of vascular disease
2. Translation of basic discoveries into preventive, diagnostic, and treatment protocols
3. Testing of new protocols and devices for safety, efficacy, and comparative effectiveness
4. Training and mentoring of emerging physicians and scientists

CVR goal is to create a holistic experience for the research fellows that focuses on developing a solid clinical research foundation, one-on-one mentorship, and opportunities to gain clinical experience. Therefore, each research fellowship is tailored to fit the applicant’s needs, interests, and goals. Here are the goals, guidelines and expectations for fellows spending dedicated time at the Center for Vascular Research (CVR).

The fellowship is open to the following:

• Undergraduate students taking a gap year (or more) during or after their training
• Medical, Osteopathic, or Graduate students taking a gap year (or more) during or after their training
• Residents in any specialty taking a gap year (or more) during or after their training

Students interested in a research fellowship should send the following documents to CVR@som.umaryland.edu:

1. Cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest in the fellowship and anticipated goals
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of good standing from the applicant’s school or program
4. Proof of current visa allowing the applicant to be employed in the US (if not a US citizen)
5. If selected, the applicant will need to complete a background check

BU medical students interested in applying should contact Matt Layne to discuss about their applications and assistance our Proposal Development office can provide.

Matthew Layne, PhD
Assistant Dean for Research
mlayne@bu.edu