The Physician Scientist Scholars Program (PSSP) is the College of Medicine's programming dedicated to the retention, visibility, and advancement of early career physician scientist faculty at Ohio State. Physician scientists pursue long, multifaceted training paths, and the PSSP is designed to provide specialized support as faculty transition into the early stages of their physician scientist faculty careers. 

PSSP scholars are chosen annually via program application. Applications undergo a rigorous and competitive screening process conducted by senior faculty physician-scientists, ensuring the most promising scholars are selected based on their qualifications, research potential, and alignment with program goals.

A small cohort of promising physician scientists is selected to participate in this 1-5 year program, which includes:

• Special topics workshops focused on key areas of physician-scientist development
• Monthly meetings to foster peer and mentor engagement
• Networking opportunities to strengthen connection to the Ohio State physician scientist community
• Specialized resources, including individualized scientific writing consultation
• Individualized mentorship and coaching from experienced, funded investigators
• Interdisciplinary collaboration to establish new partnerships across departments, divisions, and disciplines to drive innovation and efficiency

By the end of the program, participants will have developed and submitted competitive K (or equivalent) grant applications. The goal is for each scholar to emerge with a funded grant and a strong foundation for a successful, independent research career.

PSSP 2026 key dates and information 

Applications for the 2026 cohort are due Friday, August 7th, 11:59 PM EST. Scholars will be announced in late summer.

Submit application here

Required eligibility: 

• Assistant professor rank
• Basic translational research focus
• Not yet awarded K or R grant

Preferred eligibility:

• Within 3 years of fellowship or residency
• Minimum of .50 research FTE
• Tenure track and/or newly recruited faculty

Required supplemental documents: 

(Items must be uploaded within application survey as one PDF in the order noted below)

• A 2-3 page personal statement that addresses the following (please list the following headers with your answers) 
  • Overview of faculty role (from start date to current day, startup funding, research protected time, clinical work and responsibilities, changes in responsibilities over time, etc.) 
  • Overview of research (lab info and staffing, department/division resources available to you, productivity, awards, current needs, etc.) 
  • Mentors and Collaborators (highlight relationships/roles with those influencing your work) 
  • Career Aspirations (long-term career goals) 
  • Why You're Applying to the PSSP (what are your training needs and what are you hoping to get out of the program?)
• Applicant biosketch 
• Primary mentor biosketch 
• Letter of support from department chair and/or division chief 
• Letter of support from primary mentor (optional) 

Letter(s) of support should address the following points: 

• Potential for conducting research
• Adequacy of scientific background
• Quality of research endeavors or publications to date
• Commitment to physician scientist career
• Need for further research experience and training

Contact

If you have questions about the program or application, please email Rebecca Wright, Program Manager for Physician Scientist Scholars Program at Rebecca.Wright@osumc.edu.