Summer Research Fellowship

Purpose

To Address the Need for Clinical Investigators from Diverse Backgrounds

For many years, the specific and unique health needs of minority populations in the U.S. have been inadequately studied.

One reason for this is the extreme shortage of clinical investigators belonging to under-represented groups. Although some progress has been made toward increasing the number of clinicians belonging to under-represented groups, little, if any, increase in the number of clinical investigators has occurred. Students tend to view choosing between clinical medicine and research as an either/or decision. This is an unfortunate misconception and clearly not the case for patient-oriented clinical research.

Research Training in Patient-Oriented Research

Through grants from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Mayo Clinic, a comprehensive training program for patient-oriented research has been created. "Patient-oriented research" is defined as the study of research questions that have direct clinical application. Many questions fall at the interface between basic and applied research, or within the area of clinical research studies. The goal of the program is to prepare minority students for careers in clinical care and patient-oriented research.

Students are matched with Mayo Clinic investigators based on their interests and spend at least eight weeks conducting research, usually in the summer between the first and second years of medical school. In addition to their research project, students attend a series of seminars and presentations that introduce them to clinical research methods and the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled as a medical student between first and second year
• The College of Medicine at Mayo Clinic considers under-represented individuals as belonging to the following groups: Black/African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or US Pacific Islander, and members of other racial and ethnic groups considered to be under-represented in medicine and biomedical research.
• United States citizen or permanent resident enrolled in a United States LCME-accredited Medical School.

Highlights

• Experience dynamic basic or clinical research
• Work side-by-side with nationally and internationally recognized scientists and clinicians

Length and Start Date

• Eight to ten weeks
• Fellowship start date:  June 14, 2010

Application

• Application deadline: April 1, 2010
• Rolling Admission Process: Monthly review of applications will begin on December 1, 2009. It is recommended that you apply early. Acceptances are offered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that you apply early. It may be necessary to defer action on some applications from one month to the next.

Financial Support

Participant will receive:

• A stipend of $4,800 for 8 weeks, which may be used toward housing and living expenses.
• Reimbursement of relocation expenses up to $500 from participant's school location to Rochester, Minnesota, upon submission of receipts.

Additional Links of Interest Related to Research:

• Mayo Research Departments and Centers
• Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities