Extramural scholarship opportunities are listed below with direct links to the sponsoring programs. The Office of Medical Student Research can assist students in applications, and in some cases, be involved in the review process when a limited number of applications are permitted from one institution.
Medical Scholars Research Fellowship (MSRF)
The PSSF Medical Scholars Research Fellowship 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. By providing medical students with opportunities to spend dedicated time in basic research, PSSF aims to increase the pipeline of future physician-scientists. Training today’s medical students in rigorous scientific bench work ensures a culture of innovation that will lead to a deeper understanding of what it means to pursue challenging, unanswered questions; and ultimately advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. The fellowship supports one year of mentored, rigorous research training in fundamental biomedical research. Single-degree medical students interested in a dual career in research and patient care are eligible to apply for the MSRF.
Sarnoff Medical Student Research Fellowship Award
The Sarnoff Fellowship Program offers medical students enrolled in accredited U.S. medical schools the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a biomedical research laboratory located in the United States. Applicants may have prior research experience; applications are also encouraged from students without extensive prior research experience. Applicants enrolled in an MD/PhD program are not eligible for a Sarnoff Fellowship. Fellowship awardees will receive an annual stipend of $32,000 and allowances up to $8,000 for travel support to select a Preceptor and Fellowship laboratory and attend the Sarnoff Annual Scientific Meeting and the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, moving expenses, health insurance and funds for travel to present a paper at two national conferences.
Hematology Inclusion Pathway
Medical students from the United States and Canada in their early years of medical school, interested in hematology are encouraged to apply for the Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP). The HIP engages students in hematology-related research for eight to 12 weeks; the students have the opportunity to work alongside an American Society of Hematology (ASH) member who serves as their research mentor. Participants receive a $5,000 research stipend as well as a $2,000 travel allowance to attend the ASH annual meeting and other program benefits. Apply here.
NIH in Bethesda, Maryland
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) is a comprehensive, year-long research enrichment program designed to attract the most creative, research-oriented medical, dental, and veterinary students to the intramural campus of the NIH in Bethesda, MD. This program is designed for US citizens and permanent residents currently enrolled in an accredited program who have completed their core clinical rotations. This does not exclude students who have not yet completed the rotations. Currently, the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program participants receive an annual stipend of approximately $34,000 with travel and lodging provided.
NIH
NIH-funded Diabetes Research Centers invite applications for the Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes and Obesity for the summer. This program is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health through the NIDDK and allows medical students to conduct research under the direction of an established scientist in the areas of diabetes, hormone action, physiology, islet cell biology, clinical investigation or obesity at an institution with one of the NIDDK-funded Diabetes Research Centers during the summer between the first and second year or second and third year of medical school. Prior research experience is not required. The program provides a stipend of approximately $1,950 a month.
Please see http://medicalstudentdiabetesresearch.org/ for more information about the program and for an application.
NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
This program is for college, graduate and professional students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. These are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.
Summer interns work in a research groups directed by a Principal Investigator (PI). We offer research opportunities in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. Students interested in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply. Summer interns may not work in administrative offices or outside of the NIH IRP. https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/sip/
Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellowship (DDCF)
Students participating in the ICRF program will take a year out from medical school to conduct clinical research abroad under the direction of a mentor working in global health, as well as complete related coursework. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance, and financial support to attend a year-end meeting as well as supplementary funds for research and training. Lean more about the online application process and form.