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Application Process

All application materials for the M.D.-M.S. Program must be submitted by email to Carmen J. Tapia, Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA) predoctoral education specialist, by 5 p.m. on March 1.

A small number of competitive awards for the M.D.-M.S. Program are available each year. You will automatically be considered for an award when your application is reviewed.

Before applying

Prior to preparing your application, you are strongly encouraged to:

  • Identify a mentor. This should be an investigator at Mayo Clinic who has extensive clinical or translational research experience and is willing to serve as your mentor. The primary research mentor must hold the academic rank of associate professor or above.
  • Develop your research proposal. Your research project must meet National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for clinical or translational research and follow the format given in the outline for master's protocols. Plan to begin your project on or after July 1 of the year you apply for the award.

Application components

  • A cover letter. Describe your career plans and how earning a master's degree through the M.D.-M.S. Program will enhance your career development. Also describe any other similar funding for which you've applied.
  • Your curriculum vitae and bibliography.
  • Letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation — addressed to Anthony J. Windebank, M.D., CTSA predoctoral programs director — are required from three specific people.
    • Your research mentor. This letter must address:
      • The candidate's potential for success
      • The mentor's qualifications as a mentor (include the mentor's curriculum vitae and bibliography)
      • The mentor's support for the candidate, such as how often you will meet, available space, supplies and research support
      • That the candidate's work will represent a significant intellectual contribution toward the design, conduct and analysis of the research and that the candidate will be first author on the manuscript or thesis resulting from it
    • Your medical school dean or associate dean. This letter must indicate that you are in good standing and a good candidate for the M.D.-M.S. award.
    • A faculty member. This should be a faculty member with whom you've conducted research.
  • Your completed application.
  • The specific aims for your proposal.

As a reminder, submit your application materials by email to Carmen J. Tapia, CTSA predoctoral programs coordinator, by 5 p.m. on March 1.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed by the CTSA Education Resources Predoctoral Programs Committee. The research proposal component of your application will be reviewed and scored using an NIH-style scale and these research proposal review criteria.

You will be notified before April 15 as to whether you've been accepted into the program and whether you've been offered award funding.

  • March 5, 2013
  • ART683697