Third Year Scholarships
Office of Student Affairs
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Overview
The Scholarship Committee assists students in applying for scholarships by researching and compiling new opportunities. Students interested in scholarships not listed below are asked to email Renee Mahaffey with the scholarship’s web link or provide her with literature on the requested program. Preferably, students will do this one month in advance of the scholarship’s application deadline. The committee will then review the information for appropriateness and validity to the third year curriculum and email the student with its decision. During the student’s second year, Renee Mahaffey emails the second year class asking for an indication of which scholarships students have applied for.

The Sarnoff, CDC Experience, Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP), Doris Duke, NIEHS, and Howard Hughes NIH-Cloister programs require the student to train elsewhere. Overseas opportunities such as the Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars Program, are available for students meeting academic requirements. Students should consult their Advisory Deans to discuss their options. Every student planning their third year should consult with a Duke Study Program Director for two reasons: the programs are competitive and the student may not receive their first choice. Study Program Directors can help you prepare for backup plans. The Duke Study Program Director is responsible for monitoring student's progress during the research training year. It is recommended students meet with their Study Program Director prior to getting their signature for registration.

Duke permits a full year of basic science credit to be obtained while pursuing approved research training.

A variety of research scholarship programs are now available during the basic science elective year. Most of these require a full 12 months of research. More detailed information can be found on the program's website, or from Renee Mahaffey (684-5901 or renee.mahaffey@duke.edu).

Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid is available during the third year basic science elective and fourth year clinical elective years. A student receiving a research scholarship may also qualify for need-based financial aid funds.

Your award will incorporate the scholarship along with your financial aid award in accordance with NIH, Duke SOM policies and federal financial aid regulations. Duke University School of Medicine policy dictates that all external scholarships replace need-based loans first. At such time that these loans are replaced, then the grant portion of your aid award will be reduced. This includes any merit scholarships as well. Total aid from all sources cannot exceed the established and Board approved cost of education. Whenever aid exceeds cost, there is an over award situation which is a violation of federal regulations (HEA section 673.5 (b) (2), 673.5 (D)). All effort has been made to ensure that you have all the financial aid you are entitled to.

Need-based financial aid funds are not available for any added monthly cost at study away sites where living expense is greater than if the student studies at Duke. Unsubsidized loans can be obtained for these additional expenses.

Scholarship awards are typically disbursed by term enrollment -- however, you will want to verify with your scholarship source the actual disbursement calendar and make financial arrangements accordingly. The funds credited to your student account first go to pay any outstanding tuition or fees on your account. Any remaining balance will be refunded to you. In the case of the Howard Hughes award, the research allowance is allocated to the individual lab and mentors through the Duke University Accounting system. They have a fiscal responsibility for these funds, not the Financial Aid Office.

If you need additional information, please feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid at 919-684-6649 or financial_aid@mc.duke.edu.
Duke Student Research Internal Scholarship Program
Students applying for the Duke Internal Scholarships listed below should use the application form.  All Internal Scholarships applications are due April 1st or the last working day before April 1st. Announcements will generally be made the last working day of April. Completed applications should be emailed to Renee Mahaffey at renee.mahaffey@duke.edu.
  • The Donald B. Hackel Fellowship in Cardiovascular Pathology provides for vascular biology under the direction of a full time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Pathology. This twelve month Fellowship carries an annual stipend of $15,000. For further information please contact Dr. William Bradford at bradf001@mc.duke.edu.
  • The Duke CTSA Scholarship supports one and two-year options in didactic and mentored hands-on training in clinical research at Duke. The one-year program includes four core courses in biostatistics, research design, and responsible conduct in Duke's Clinical Research Training Program in addition to a mentored research project. Two-year students complete the course work and research project that lead to a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research degree. Elective options within the two-year degree program include two course clusters in genomics. This scholarship carries an annual stipend of $20,976.  Application deadline is April 1.  For further information please contact Stephanie Molner at molne001@mc.duke.edu.
  • Duke-Singapore Student Scholar Fellowship -- Singapore Scholars are expected to spend 10 months doing mentored clinical or basic science research in Singapore, a country on the cutting edge of biomedical and health services. Opportunities for outreach in neighboring Asian countries are also possible. This research will take up 80%+ of the scholars’ time. Singapore Scholars are also expected to provide mentoring to first year Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (DNUS) students (6-8 hours per week). This may involve participating in the orientation to first and second year educational activities, serving as a general resource for first and second year students, facilitating small group or one-on-one discussions about first and second year students’ experiences with the curriculum, and sharing their experience of third year research.  Singapore Scholars will receive SGD20,000 tuition support, two Duke-Singapore coach round trip airline tickets during the year, and living expenses of SGD3,200/month.  In addition, temporary living expenses to assist the move to Singapore will be reimbursed up to SGD75 per day for up to two weeks. (These amounts are stated as Singapore dollars; see http://www.x-rates.com/ for conversion.) Support will be for the 10 months of their research project. Contact information for areas of research and mentors will be available at this site in the coming months.  For additional information please contact Dr Alison Atherton at alison.atherton@duke.edu or 684-4340.  Applicants need to submit a "study away" application (on the third year site). They should complete the internal scholarship form, and write a brief (1-2 page) essay on "How, if at all, will being in Singapore enhance my research?" The deadline is January 25, and applicants will be notified in early March. For more information about potential mentors, please visit the Duke-NUS website http://www.duke-nus.edu/sg, or contact Dr. Atherton for a list. 
  • Eugene A. Stead Student Research Scholarships -- Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at DUMC from 1947-1967. Because of Dr. Stead’s affiliation with the Department of Medicine, this scholarship is awarded exclusively to third-year students who are working with mentors who have a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine. The stipend for the 12 months of research is $25,000. Applications can be downloaded on the Internal Scholarship Application link above. The Stead Scholarship Committee is co-chaired by Karen Alexander, MD and Rowena Dolor, MD, MHS, both former Stead Scholars. They may be contacted at Karen Alexander, MD, 919-668-8871 or Rowena J. Dolor, MD, MHS at 919-668-8627.
  • Dr. William Reid Haas and Mrs. Ardelle B. Haas History of Medicine Scholarship -- The Haas History of Medicine Scholarship has not been offered recently since the fund did not generate sufficient interest to make an award.
  • Interdisciplinary Research in Medicine or Physiology (Hyperbaric Medicine) -- The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Environmental Physiology at Duke supports a $25,000 scholarship in basic research for third-year medical students in a laboratory setting, either in the Center or in the laboratory of a Duke faculty member affiliated with the Center. Projects should advance our understanding of important physiological or pathological processes.  Proposals that exploit two or more traditional disciplines are especially encouraged. For the faculty list and more information, please contact Barry W. Allen, PhD, in the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Environmental Physiology: 668-0031, barry.w.allen@duke.edu.
  • Ovarian Cancer Research Fellowship -- The Ovarian Cancer Research Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology is offered to one third-year Duke University Medical Student annually. The broad aim of the laboratory group in which the student will work is to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and to translate this knowledge into prevention strategies. This ten month Fellowship carries an annual stipend of $7,000. Students who aspire to careers in Obstetrics and Gynecology will have the highest priority in judging applicants for this award, but this should not discourage others from applying. For questions please contact Dr. Andrew Berchuck, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Box 3079 DUMC.
  • R. Randall Bollinger Surgical Scholarship -- The Department of Surgery is offering Research Scholarships in Surgery for MSIII students at Duke University Medical Center. Applicants are reviewed competitively. Funding is variable but has ranged between $3,000 - $10,000 per year in the recent past. Ideally, students will be expected to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals and to present their research at regional or national scientific meetings. Accepted applications will be expected to interview and present a brief presentation in April for consideration. For more information you may contact Dr. Alexander Perez at alexander.perez@duke.edu.



 

 

 
 
Non-Duke Student Research Scholarship Programs
Criteria for approving 3rd year Duke medical student scholarship research at institutions outside Duke University Medical Center:
All standards required for students performing research in Duke University Medical Center laboratories/research environments should be met (including, but not limited to the following):

  • Students may only work with research mentors approved by the 3rd year curriculum committee (approval based on publication record, experience in mentoring, and demonstration of funding for project)
  • Procedures and criteria for conduct of research, grading, preparation of thesis, time lines for completion are identical to those at Duke University Medical Center
  • Research project and mentor must be identified as part of an existing research study track.
In addition, all outside laboratories must also agree to the following:

  • A description of the research program and criteria expected of the student should be provided to both the Third Year Committee and the Scholarship Committee for formal approval prior to announcing the opportunity.
  • Description of the program and selection criteria should be distributed to all potential recipients by the Duke Student Research Scholarship Committee (so all students have an equal chance at opportunity) and selection criteria determined in advance.
  • The Duke third year research study track director will be the official liaison between the outside mentor and the third year committee, providing oversight responsibility (just as at Duke).
  • Outside mentors are limited to 1 student/mentor each yea.
  • Outside institutions shall not place restrictions on publication of student’s research.
  • Outside institution shall not require the student to sign a confidentiality agreement pertaining to any aspect of the student's research project. All other confidentiality agreements must be evaluated and approved by the duke office of technology transfer before being signed by the student; any such agreements must be processed and signed before the student begins their 3rd year research.
  • Students may not be employed by an outside institution; only scholarships previously approved by the Third Year Committee and Scholarship Committee are allowed.
  • Outside institutions must be willing to recognize Duke’s portion of ownership of any patent emerging from the student’s research.
 
Contact Renee Mahaffey, Student Affairs, Room 0128 Purple Zone, Basement, Duke South for information on the following programs:

  • CDC Experience -- The CDC Experience is a one-year fellowship in applied epidemiology for medical students. The program is designed to increase the pool of physicians with a population health perspective. Each year, eight competitively selected medical students from around the country spend 10-12 months at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. At CDC they gain an in-depth understanding of applied epidemiology, the role of epidemiology in medicine and health, and the role of physicians in the public health system. With the guidance of experienced CDC epidemiologists, they perform epidemiologic analyses and research, design public health interventions and assist in field investigations. Possible areas of concentration include birth defects, injury prevention, chronic disease, infectious disease, environmental health, reproductive health, and minority health. Fellowship activities include: hands-on training and work experience at CDC; participation in field investigations; orientation to CDC and didactic training; monthly seminars; monthly journal clubs; Epidemic Intelligence Service annual conference attendance; and presentation of the culminating project. Additional information is available at http://www.cdcfoundation.org/thecdcexperience.
  • Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program -- This fellowship is designed for students to do one year of "hands-on" and didactic clinical research training at one of the following twelve medical centers: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Harvard Medical School; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Mount Sinai School of Medicine; University of California at San Francisco Medical School; University of Iowa Medical School; University of North Carolina Medical School; University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas; Washington University Medical School; and Yale University School of Medicine. At least 5 students will be accepted to the program at each of these schools. The stipend is currently $27,000 plus health insurance. Medical students must apply directly to the 12 participating medical schools. Additional information, including international opportunities, is available at http://www.ddcf.org.
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute-NIH Research Scholars Program (Cloister Program) -- This dental schools around the United States. Hughes fellows may work in any laboratory of their choice including those within their own medical school. The application, which includes a research plan and a letter from the mentor, must be submitted by January 11.  Students receive an annual salary of $27,000. In addition students will receive a $5,500 research allowance for research - or education-related expenses that directly benefit the fellow and a $5,500 fellow's allowance to defray health insurance and tuition costs. All initial year fellows will also travel to the Washington, D.C. area twice a year to attend: 1) a fall meeting, co-sponsored by the NIH to meet other year-out students and listen to talks by leading physician-scientists, and 2) a spring meeting to present their research. For additional information and application, please contact the following web site: http://www.hhmi.org/medfellowships.
  • Intramural Research Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) -- The NIEHS, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers medical students the opportunity to pursue research activities focused on environmentally related diseases and dysfunctions in areas such as carcinogenesis, reproduction and development, pulmonary and neurological disorders, and epidemiology on the NIEHS campus at Research Triangle Park. This program provides a stipend that is similar to that awarded through the Cloister Program (another program of the NIH.) Four NIEHS Fellowships in Environmental Medicine positions are available each year. Interested students should first contact NIEHS investigators carrying out research in an area of interest to the student. Each NIEHS investigator has a website accessible at http://dir.niehs.nih.gov/. Students should contact the investigator directly to determine if that investigator is accepting new Fellows of this type for the coming year. Applications should then be made jointly by the student and the NIEHS preceptor, proposing the project of interest. A complete application consists of 5-page research proposal summary, including a statement relating to the research, student's medical training, and career interests. Include a medical transcript and undergraduate transcript, plus a letter of recommendation from one or more Medical School faculty members. The NIEHS preceptor should also prepare a letter of support for the candidacy of the Fellow. Applications are due in January of each year. Send the entire package of materials to: William T. Schrader, Ph.D., NIEHS Division of Intramural Research, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Contact information for further assistance: phone: 919-541-3433 or email: schrader@niehs.nih.gov.
  • National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) -- The NIH offers up to 30 fellowships for training at NIH in clinically related areas. Selection of preceptors is made after the award is offered and accepted. Awardees are given the opportunity to spend a year engaged in a mentored clinical or translational research project at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. The annual stipend is currently $30,200. Housing is provided as well as many other benefits. For additional information and application, please visit the following web site: http://www.cc.nih.gov/training/crtp/crtp.html. Students who apply for this fellowship and do not receive an offer to participate may apply to the NIH Year-Off IRTA Fellowship Program which carries about the same stipend.
  • The NIH/Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars Program, supported by the Fogarty International Center and 12 other components of the National Institutes of Health, is administered by Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Global Health and the Association of American Medical Colleges. The NIH/FICRS program is designed primarily for students with a strong interest in, and potential for, a career in international health activities and/or clinical research.  Applicants must have strong academic records and must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.  Students are paired with foreign counterparts, and they conduct clinical research together abroad under the tutelage of NIH-funded universities or other research institutions working on infectious or chronic diseases.  Among the fields of study are: AIDS and related opportunistic infections; malaria; sexually transmitted infections; substance abuse, oncology; diseases of the heart, lung, and blood; neurology; and dietary issues.   The application deadline is December 3, 2009.  Fellowship stipends are currently $25,000 a year, with round trip travel to the site provided.  For more information visit http://www.fogartyscholars.org/scholars or contact scholars@fogartyscholars.org with questions.
  • Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation -- The Sarnoff Fellowship Program is designed to give medical students the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a research laboratory. Medical students enrolled in any accredited medical school within the United States may apply for a Fellowship award. The first set of Fellows date back to 1980, and the Endowment funds up to eighteen Fellows a year. A unique feature of the Sarnoff Fellowship is its lifetime commitment to the Fellow. Each Fellow is paired with a member of the Endowment's Scientific Board, who not only serves to provide guidance during the research year, but also to aid in the Fellow's overall career development. The Fellow is paid $27,500 for 12 months of cardiovascular or biomedical research and an additional $7,000 for additional research expenses. In addition, the Fellow is afforded the opportunity throughout the research year and each subsequent year to interact with other Fellows, Scholars, and Scientific Board members at the Endowment's Annual Scientific Meetings and at other scientific conferences. Sarnoff Fellows are eligible for a four year Fellow to Faculty Transition award. (Any questions contact Dr. Debra Schwinn at schwi001@mc.duke.edu.) For additional information and application, please contact the following web site: http://www.SarnoffFoundation.org.
Third Year Scholarship Students’ Ability to Enroll in Coursework
 
It is the School of Medicine’s intention to outline when specific coursework may or may not be taken. Students who have been awarded scholarships for Third Year Research should be aware that some scholarships will not allow coursework while involved in scholarly research and receiving funding from a specific scholarship. As an example, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) agreement and contract states that "fellows may not undertake medical school coursework, a clerkship, or any graduate school coursework...."1

All third year students are required to enroll in the Practice Year 3 course. Some students involved in specific study programs are also required to enroll in specific courses related to that lab experience. In no instance, however, should a scholarship recipient enroll in courses without the specific permission of the study program director and their research mentor.

Students should be aware that taking courses during a period when they are not allowed warrants a breach of contract. Ramifications may be, but are not limited to, loss of scholarship support, loss of credit or other punitive measures.

 
 
1HHMI Terms and Conditions refers contract holders to the booklet "Information for Medical Student Fellows and Fellowship Institutions 2001" for this policy.
 
 
 
 
Download the Internal Duke Scholarship Application Form.

More scholarship information can be found at:

 or by contacting Renee Mahaffey, 919-684-5901 or email: renee.mahaffey@duke.edu.

 

 
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