M3 Research Selective

The M3 Research Selective allows third-year medical students to undertake four weeks of research under the direction of a mentor. Students may use the research block as part of the Longitudinal Research Program. While many students will choose to work with BU faculty mentors, students may elect to participate in research with non-BU faculty at other institutions. At the end of the Research Selective, each student submits a project summary and is evaluated by their research mentor.

Each student in the M3 Research Selective will:

1. Develop a research plan (under the direction of a mentor) that includes study aims, research objectives and research approach, and if applicable, a testable hypothesis
2. Apply the rules and procedures for performing research with biological systems (human beings or animals or biological samples or biomedical information), education and teaching concepts, or other categories adding to the body of scientific knowledge
3. Demonstrate the ability to gather, organize, and protect biomedical information
4. Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory and/or data processing skills geared toward generating original scientific results
5. Develop scientific writing skills to generate internal reports and ideally peer-reviewed publications
6. Develop scientific data presentation skills

Each student in the M3 Research Selective will complete the following steps:

• Identify a mentor to design a research proposal
• Submit a research proposal that will be reviewed and approved by the Medical Student Research Steering Committee
• Register for the RS through the registrar’s office once RS is approved
• Complete the necessary pre-work (IRB, CITI, IACUC trainings) as designated by the student’s mentor at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the Research experience
• Engage in full-time (40 hrs/week) in-person research for the duration of the Research Selective
• Submit a project summary at the end of the Research Selective
• Students are encouraged to present their research at the annual Medical Student Research Symposium

Please note that applications for class of 2026 students have closed for the 2024-25 academic year. Details for applications for class of 2027 students will appear here in the fall of 2024.

Once a student submits the application, it is automatically routed to the mentor.

Student application components:

• Name
• BU email address
• ORCID# (all students must have an ORCID# that is registered with BU – information here)
• Research project details including mentor name,  department, type of research, project title, purpose, hypothesis/research question, methods/data collection/analysis, anticipated results
• If you will be working with a non-BU faculty member, please indicate this in the application.
• The Research Selective is governed by policies related to concentration in an any area, away rotations, and attendance/time off policies.

Mentor application components:

• Statement of support and additional project information
• Names of co-mentors
• Research project support
• Confirmation of approvals as appropriate (IRB, IACUC, IBC)

Applications are not considered complete until both student and mentor components are received.

Completed applications are reviewed by faculty members who are part of the Medical Student Research Steering Committee.

Evaluation criteria of student applications are as follows:

• Student: There is evidence that the student has established a connection with the mentor (and research team) indicating a commitment to the project
• Research proposal: The research questions are logically presented, experiments/data collection methods are appropriate, the project is feasible
• Mentor: The mentor is committed and available to the student. Mentor has approvals (IRB, IACUC, etc) in place. Mentor ensures the expertise of other researchers is available to student to be properly trained.

• Are there any research areas that are preferred for the Research Selective?
  

  No, there are no preferred research areas. All areas of research (clinical, translational, basic science, public health, and more). What matters most is identifying and working with faculty mentors who have active research programs.

• I have identified a research mentor who is not a BU faculty member. Can I work with this person for the Research Selective?
  

  Yes, you can engage in research with BU and non-BU faculty.

• Can a postdoc or resident be more research mentor instead of faculty?

  Your primary mentor must have a faculty appointment. Of course other members of the research team including postdocs, students, and residents may contribute to your research training.

• My research project will not have final IRB approval when I apply for the Research Selective.  Is it OK to apply with a pending IRB?
  

  A project without approvals may indicate that it is not feasible. If this is the case, discuss with your mentor other approved projects that you may work on until the IRB is approved and include those details in your application.

All students in the M3 Research Selective must submit a progress report no later than the last day of the selective block using this form.