External Research Opportunities

The intent of the Medical Student Research Program is to introduce heart, lung and/or blood research opportunities to medical students interested in research. In addition to the Medical Student Research Program, other research opportunities are available for medical students.

These opportunities are grouped into categories including:

• One-Year Programs
• Summer Programs

Please note that most applications to these programs are due between December and March of each year.

One-Year Programs

National Institutes of Health: Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP)

"Medical discoveries of tomorrow depend on the students we train today." Dr. Francis Collins, NIH Director

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.

Application Due January 7, 2022

• The 2022-2023 NIH Medical Research Scholars Program application is now open.
• Application Deadline: January 7, 2022

Overview

• Student scholars engage in a mentored basic, clinical, or translational research project on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, or at close by NIH facilities that matches their research interests and career goals.

Eligibility

• The MRSP is designed for U.S. citizens and permanent residents currently enrolled in an accredited medical, dental, or veterinary program who have completed their core clinical rotations. This does not exclude students with strong research interests from applying prior to having completed their clinical rotations.

Housing

• The MRSP is a residential program; participating scholars are required to reside in one of the available MRSP housing options.

Curriculum

MRSP scholars will experience the full continuum of biomedical research—the bench, the bedside, between both, and beyond. The MRSP offers:

• Lectures on seminal basic, translational and clinical research topics that highlight the continuum of discovery, as well as issues in bioethics, science policy and emerging technologies
• Training in clinical protocol development and the conduct of human subjects research
• Clinical teaching rounds focusing on NIH research patients
• Academic leadership and drug development training
• Dedicated research mentor and advisor
• NIH Clinical Center courses such as "Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research" and the "Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research"

Financial Support

• The NIH Medical Research Scholars Program participants receive an annual stipend.

National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney (NIH) Medical Student Research Training Program

Applications Due January 20

Purpose

• The NIDDK Medical Student Research Training (MSRT) program is designed to provide a mentored research training experience for those medical students who are considering an academic research career.
• Providing the opportunity for students to interrupt their medical school studies for up to 12 months to pursue a research project should help them solidify their decisions to pursue a research career, focus their research interests, and provide a background for future training and career development programs once they have completed their medical training.

Eligibility

• Medical students in good standing who have completed at least one year of the medical education and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible. There must be a currently funded, scientifically relevant NIDDK T32 program at the sponsoring institution for an MSRT application to be considered. Only students able to commit a minimum of 9 months, up to a maximum of 12 months, full time, to participate in the program may apply. Applicants must have the permission of the Dean of their medical school to participate in this program at their own or another institution. Students who have previously earned a Ph.D. degree are not eligible nor are students enrolled in a combined MD-PhD program.

Application Process

• Applications must be received by one of two receipt dates: January 20.
• Applications received after April 15 cannot be considered.
• Detailed application procedures

Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation Medical Student Research Fellowship Award

Application Due January 12, 2022

• 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.

Application Process

• For more information visit the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation website.