The program consists of a year of basic, translational or applied biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD for U.S. medical, dental, or veterinary students. Students conduct research under the direct mentorship of senior NIH research scientists and live at the Cloister, the Research Scholars' residence on campus.

Deadline

• Applications must be received by January 10.

Start Date

• The program year begins in the summer.

Eligibility

• Student in good standing at a U.S. medical, dental, or veterinary school.
  • does not have to be from a research-oriented school or have prior research experience
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Cannot be enrolled in a combined medical, dental, or veterinary/Ph.D. program (e.g., M.D./Ph.D.) or Ph.D., or Sc.D. program, or have a Ph.D. or Sc.D. in a laboratory-based biological science.

Scope of Support

• Annual compensation of $27,000 (beginning in the 2008-2009 program year)
• Fully paid health, dental, and vision insurance
• Moving expense reimbursement
• Furnished on-campus housing
• Allowance for conference travel, related books and courses.

Research Areas

• Cell biology
• Epidemiology & biostatistics
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Structural biology

Statistics

• For the 2007-2008 academic year:
  • 172 applicants from 81 schools
  • 78 interviewed from 37 schools
  • 42 accepted from 25 schools
• Since the program's inception:
  • Applications received from all U.S. medical schools
  • Accepted students from 81% of U.S. medical schools
• Year in school:
  • About 60% of students participate after second year
  • About 40% participate after third year

Photo: Kay Chernush