Funding Opportunities for Year Out Research

These awards provide one year of research support to medical students interested in clinical and basic science diabetes research.  Awards are $30,000 a year for one year. Applicants may request up to $20,000 for the student’s stipend and up to $10,000 for tuition and lab expenses. Funding begins in July.  For more information and to apply, visit: http://professional.diabetes.org/Diabetes_Research.aspx?typ=18&cid=89697#CS_Award.

The Fellowship has been designed to help a student initiate a career in cardiovascular research by providing research assistance and training. Supported research includes that broadly related to cardiovascular function and diseases, stroke, or to related basic science, clinical, behavioral and public health problems. Eligible participants include medical students seeking research training with a sponsor/mentor prior to embarking on a research career. The Fellowship's duration is one to two years, with a stipend support of $22,000 per year. For more information and to apply, visit:http://my.americanheart.org/professional/Research/FundingOpportunities/SupportingInformation/Winter-2013---Predoctoral-Fellowship_UCM_443316_Article.jsp, or call the Great Rivers Affiliate Office at (410) 637-4539.

The ASN Student Scholar Grants enable selected medical students with an interest in either basic or clinical research to spend from 10 to 52 weeks engaged in full-time research. The mentor must be an ASN member and must submit a program of study for the applicant. Grants are awarded on the basis of the applicant's ability and promise for a research career as a physician-scientist and the quality of the training that will be provided. An award period can be a summer, semester, academic year, or other 10-52 week period of continuous full-time research.  Compensation includes a stipend, money for the PI's lab to cover expenses, and travel costs to attend the ASN meeting the year following the research program.  For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.asn-online.org/grants/students/. 

The Cancer and Radiation Biology Research Training Grant, an NIH T32 training grant through the Penn Department of Radiation Oncology, provides a focused perspective and state-of-the-art research training in cancer biology and aspects of cancer treatment to predoctoral students (including Medical Students) and postdoctoral fellows.  The grant provides the opportunity to do Laboratory and Translational Research projects.  Candidates have done well, with publications and winning awards. Please peruse the following links for potential research topics:
http://www.xrt.upenn.edu/Research2011.shtml
http://www.xrt.upenn.edu/Retreat.shtml
Students are expected to commit to full-time research training with a minimum one year commitment.  The grant provides a stipend and health insurance.  Positions generally start in the summer but start times are negotiable.  Interested individuals should contact Dr. Gary Kao (Gary.Kao@uphs.upenn.edu) to discuss project/mentor options and to apply. For more information, click here. 

Funded by a grant from Pfizer Inc, The CDC Experience: Applied Epidemiology Fellowship at CDC provides medical students with an applied hands-on training experience in epidemiology and public health. Eight competitively selected medical students from around the country who are completing their second or third year of medical school will spend up to one full year at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. While at CDC, with the guidance of experienced CDC epidemiologists, they carry out epidemiologic analyses in areas such as birth defects, injury, chronic disease, infectious disease, environmental health, reproductive health and minority health. By gaining an in-depth perspective of the role epidemiology plays in protecting the health and safety of both individuals and entire populations, The CDC Experience graduates will be better prepared to pursue careers in clinical medicine, clinical epidemiology, health services research, preventive medicine and public health. They will have the potential to become future physician leaders and to substantially contribute to the quality of the health care system.  For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/CDCExperienceFellowship/.

The Penn Department of Dermatology has a long history of successful research in cutaneous biology and, more recently, in clinical epidemiology. In addition to other funding sources, our NIH T32 Dermatology Training Grant funds 4 post-doctoral, 2 pre-doctoral and 3 short-term pre-doctoral fellows per year. Each Research Fellow works under the direction of a faculty mentor. In addition, each Fellow takes part in Departmental seminars and journal clubs. The University also provides a Research Fellowship infrastructure that includes benefits and special seminars covering multiple areas such as safe laboratory techniques, ethics, grant writing, career opportunities, and others. Our goal is to train Research Fellows to become independent investigators in either academics or industry. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.med.upenn.edu/dermres/research.html.

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's (DDCF) domestic component of the Clinical Research Fellowship (CRF) program will conclude with the class finishing in June 2013. DDCF remains committed to all active fellows. The International Clinical Research Fellowship program will continue at six schools. The DDCRF website includes links for the International CRF program information and application, and the Penn DDCRF website provides more detailed information for our current fellows.

FOCUS on Health & Leadership for Women in Penn's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), invites applications from Perelman medical students for a Bertha Dagan sponsored FOCUS Fellowship, an opportunity to do full time research in an area of general women's health.  This initiative offers at least 3 Perelman men and women medical students funding for 6 months to work full-time with a faculty mentor conducting clinical or basic science research or participating in a community-based program centered around issues of women's health. Students have the option to work with a faculty member actively engaged in women's health research or to work in a community-based agency providing women's health related services, also under the guidance of a faculty mentor. More information is available at http://www.med.upenn.edu/focus/StudentFellowships.shtml or by contacting Pat Scott at pscott3@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Check out the powerpoint presentation that Dr. Hillary Bogner, FOCUS Director of Research Programs, gave at the October 1, 2012 Year Out Research Programs Information Session - click here.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students Program enables medical, dental, and veterinary students at schools located in the U.S. to spend a year conducting basic, translational, or applied biomedical research at any school or nonprofit research institution in the United States, except at the NIH in Bethesda, MD. HHMI will award 66 fellowships in 2013. Joint initiatives with outside funders support additional Fellows doing research in specific areas: inherited retinal degenerative disease research (Foundation Fighting Blindness); Duchenne muscular dystrophy research (Duchenne Research Fund); pre-clinical research in interventional radiology (Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation). For the 2013-2014 program year, Fellows will receive a $29,000 stipend, a $5,500 fellow’s allowance for health, dental and vision insurance and some education-related expenses and a $5,500 research allowance for research-related enrichment activities and some research costs. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/medfellows.html.

One initiative, the Medical Research Fellows Program at Janelia Farm,offers students with an interest in neuronal networking and/or imaging at the cellular and molecular level an intense year-long research training experience, living and working at the HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus, a world-class research center in Ashburn, Virginia in the Washington, D.C., area. Students must submit a prescreening application by November 1, 2012 and comply with specific eligibility and application requirements. For further information, visit: http://www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/medical-fellows/year-long/janelia-farm.html.

A second initiative, through a HHMI and GM Trust (GMT) partnership, will fund up to one research fellowship for a medical student doing research in a field related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The purpose of the initiative is to foster the development of physician-scientists conducting research in DMD. For students interested in this opportunity, feel free to contact Dr. Hansell Stedman (hstedman@mail.med.upenn.edu). His lab has ongoing projects that cover the gamut from bioinformatics/gene discovery to cardiovascular surgery/gene transfer/pathobiology in animal models for genetic cardiomyopathy.

The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation has a collaboration with Howard Hughes Medical Institute toward the future of the specialty with its funding of one medical student conducting preclinical research in interventional radiology during 2013-2014. For students interested in Interventional Radiology at Penn, feel free to contact Dr. Michael Soulen (Michael.Soulen@uphs.upenn.edu), for further information.

For students interested in Ophthalmology at Penn, feel free to contact Dr. Joshua Dunaief (jdunaief@mail.med.upenn.edu), http://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g20000320/p6071, for further information.

All students considering applying for this fellowship should contact Dr. Celeste Simon (celeste2@mail.med.upenn.edu), HHMI investigator at Penn and former member of the fellowship review panel. She is an excellent source of advice on mentorship selection and the application process. Check out the powerpoint presentation that Dr. Celeste Simon gave at the October 1, 2012 Year Out Research Programs Information Session - click here

Each year, the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation provides grants of up to $10,580 (a symbolic amount representing the cost of the "Spirit of St. Louis") to men and women whose individual initiative and work in a wide spectrum of disciplines furthers the Lindberghs' vision of a balance between the advance of technology and the preservation of the natural/human environment. Lindbergh Grants are made in the following categories: agriculture; aviation/aerospace; conservation of natural resources - including animals, plants, water, and general conservation (land, air, energy, etc.); education - including humanities/education, the arts, and intercultural communication; exploration; health - including biomedical research, health and population sciences, and adaptive technology; and waste minimization and management. A Jonathan Lindbergh Brown Grant may be given to a project to support adaptive technology or biomedical research which seeks to redress imbalance between an individual and his or her human environment.  The deadline for grant applications is the second Thursday of June in the year preceding the awarding of funds. For example, for funding beginning in July of 2012, applications are due June 11, 2011. All applicants receive notification of final selections by April 15 of each funding year. Grants are released in July.  For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/docs/index.php/about-us/programs#lindberghgrants

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) provides 9 - 12 month fellowships to two medical students to conduct basic science and translational research at Penn in diabetes, endocrine and metabolic diseases, hematology, renal disease, gastroenterology, or urology. Medical students (from US institutions) in good standing who have completed at least one year of medical school and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply. The stipend is $21,600 for a full year. In addition, $4,200 for research support and $1,000 for travel to scientific meetings will be allowed. It is expected that mentors will be selected from those already participating in these training programs. There is a two-part application process: 1) selection of the top 2-4 candidates by Penn's NIDDK MSRT advisory committee and 2) final decision on funding by NIDDK. Up to 4 students from Penn may be supported. No more than 2 students may be supported by the same training program area . All students considering applying for this fellowship should contact Dr. Anil Rustgi (anil2@mail.med.upenn.edu). Completed applications are due to the Combined Degree Office, 104 Stemmler Hall.  For more information on potential mentors and the application process, including specific grant areas, click here.

Check out the powerpoint presentation that Dr. Andy Rhim gave on behalf of Dr. Anil Rustgi at the October 1, 2012 Year Out Research Programs Information Session - click here.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program is a comprehensive, year-long research enrichment program designed to attract the most creative, research-oriented medical, osteopathic, dental, and veterinary students to the intramural campus of the NIH in Bethesda, Md. Scholars engage in a mentored basic, clinical, or translational research project in an area that matches their personal interests and goals.  This program blends the elements of two former, highly successful programs—the Howard Hughes Medical Institute-NIH Research Scholars Program [disclaimer] and the NIH Clinical Research Training Program. This new program will have a 2012-2013 class of at least 40 students. For a select group of students, an additional year of support may be available to allow a continuation of ongoing studies where this is judged to be in the best interests of the student and the mentor. Housing is provided in addition to a stipend of $33,700. For more information, see the MRSP powerpoint and flyer. For additional information and to apply, visit: http://www.cc.nih.gov/training/mrsp/.

The CHOP Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Medical Student Research Award promotes the advance of musculoskeletal care of children by giving extraordinary medical students the opportunity to investigate pertinent topics in clinical orthopaedic research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  While there are several funded year-out programs for medical school students to conduct research, this award is unique because it is specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. The funded year-long experience will be supervised by Dr. John M. Flynn. Students are eligible to apply for this award if they are currently completing their 2nd or 3rd year of medical school (preference will be given to 3rd year students). Additionally, the student must be in good academic standing and must have an interest in pursuing a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. The recipient of this award will receive a $20,000 stipend for one year. For more information and to apply, click here or visit : http://stokes.chop.edu/programs/ortho/opportunities.php#MEDICAL.

The fellowship is offered to medical or dental students who have substantial interests in research and teaching careers in pharmacology - clinical pharmacology and who are willing to spend full-time in a specific research effort within a pharmacology or clinical pharmacology unit. Fellowships are available for a minimum period of six months or any period of time up to 24 months with a maximum stipend of $18,000. The commitment must be full-time. Awards will begin on July 1, 2011. The student may undertake this investigative effort at their own school or at another institution.  For more information, visit: http://www.phrmafoundation.org/index.php?option=com_award&task=sdetail&id=20

The Special Study Experience in Anatomic Pathology or Laboratory Medicine provides Perelman medical students an opportunity to expand their knowledge of anatomic pathology or laboratory medicine (clinical pathology) in a working fellowship which includes research and independent study. The structure of the fellowship year is somewhat flexible to permit the student to tailor the program to his or her interests. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed the basic medicine and surgery clinical rotations. The student-fellow will earn $27,000 which may be taken as a monthly stipend during the fellowship year or may be issued at the end of the year as a fellowship award to be applied towards the following year's medical school tuition. In addition, the program covers student fees and health insurance, and provides for travel to a national meeting if the student will be presenting his or her research. In the Anatomic Pathology Special Study Experience, the student-fellow spends at least three months on the autopsy service and three months on the surgical pathology service. Responsibilities are similar to those of a first year resident. Additionally, three months of the fellowship are devoted to the investigation of a problem in disease etiology and diagnosis under staff guidance. The Special Expanded Study Experience in Laboratory Medicine is spent in one to three of the major laboratories (Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology, Blood Bank, Tissue Typing Immunology, or Microbiology) within the Division of Laboratory Medicine. Usually, the student-fellows rotate through two of these service areas and then spend six months in intensive research and study in a third area. Each student-fellow meets with the Advisory Committee to arrange a program that is most consistent with his/her specialized interests and goals. All students considering applying for this fellowship should contact Cindy McGrath, M.D (cmcgrath@mail.med.upenn.edu). For more information, visit: http://pathology.uphs.upenn.edu/Education/FellowshipPrograms/edu_fellow_prog_studentfellow.aspx.

Check out the powerpoint presentation that Dr. Cindy McGrath provided for the October 1, 2012 Year Out Research Programs Information Session - click here.

The Stanley J. Sarnoff Fellowship in Cardiovascular Research affords medical students, who have completed their second or third year, the opportunity to spend a full twelve month period in an area of research related to cardiovascular disease at an institution other than their home institution. Up to 20 fellowships are awarded each year, nationally. Fellows receive a stipend of $30,000 and additional research-related funds.  All students considering applying for this fellowship should contact Dr. Jon Epstein (epsteinj@mail.med.upenn.edu) who functions as the advisor for our student(s), and in this role, works to identify an optimal research project and monitor progress. All fellows are expected to make a presentation of their research at the Sarnoff Annual Scientific Meeting . For more information and to apply, visit:  http://www.sarnofffoundation.org/?page=Fellowship_Info.

Check out the powerpoint presentation that Arun Padmanabhan gave on behalf of Dr. Jon Epstein at the October 1, 2012 Year Out Research Programs Information Session - click here.

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) is now accepting applications for 2012 Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) Scholar Grants to attract new minds and new ideas to the field. Grant recipients will work under the mentorship of HVTN-affiliated investigators to conduct short-term research projects in areas of basic, clinical, behavioral and social science. Scholars can apply for one of two RAMP tracks:

Track One: Summer program or 4th year research elective
* 8-16 week research project mentored by an HVTN Investigator
* Travel to an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US or abroad
* Maximum award of $20,000

Track Two: Year-long program
* Research at an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US with up to 16 weeks at an international HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
* Can be timed with a planned masters or doctoral program, or be a distinct, non-degree associated research-focused year
* Maximum award of $60,000

The complete Request for Applications can be found at www.hvtn.org/ramp.

African-American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American students are eligible. This program allows faculty members who hold specific, commonly held types of NIH research grants to request additional money to fund an underrepresented minority student for a research experience that is an integral part of the parent grant. Applications vary depending on the NIH Division the student applies to. Funds may be requested for a short term or long term projects. See the information on the NIH website for complete details, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-149.html, or drop by the Combined Degree Office.

The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHD) sponsors several six month to a year fellowship programs, which contain a research component, for underrepresented minority students in the area of public health. Check out the different opportunities listed on there website at: http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/internships/opportunities.html.

The American Australian Association will award up to four fellowships to Americans doing research at the graduate level.  Applicants must conduct a well-defined research project in medicine, life sciences, engineering, or mining.  There will be particular interest in the fields of stem cell research and oceanography/marine sciences.  Each Fellowship award is up to $25,000, which will support part of the costs of one year of research in Australia and includes flight allowances between the U.S. and Australia.  For more information and to apply, visit:  http://www.americanaustralian.org/usa_to_aust_apps/ and scroll down the page to the relevant information. 

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's (DDCF) International Clinical Research Fellowship (ICRF) program provides fellowships for U.S.-based medical students to take a year out from school to conduct mentored clinical research in developing countries. ICRF is administered through six U.S. medical schools (Duke, Harvard, UCSF, U of Minnesota, UNC, Yale) with established programs in global health research. Each school is responsible for overseeing the selection of applicants and providing the mentored research experience. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.ddcf.org/Programs/Medical-Research/Goals-and-Strategies/Build-the-Clinical-Research-Career-Ladder/Clinical-Research-Fellowships-for-Medical-Students/International-Clinical-Research-Fellowship/.

The Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars provides supportive mentorship, research opportunities and a collaborative research environment for early stage investigators from the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as defined by the World Bank, to enhance their global health research expertise and their careers. See Support Center websites for application deadlines, eligibility, program areas and additional information. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/scholars-fellows-global-health.aspx.