Internal Scholarships

The Duke internal scholarship submission process is open.

The following is a list of internal scholarships available to Duke Third Year Medical Students. For general questions, please contact thirdyear@dm.duke.edu. For scholarship specific questions, please contact the assigned coordinator.

The general deadline for application submissions is March 15, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

Please be sure to review scholarship specific deadlines and additional requirements.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the Internal Third Year Scholarships are submitted through the XM Qualtrics platform.

  • BEFORE opening the application
    • be sure to read ALL scholarship requirements as it pertains to your applicable selection and have ALL documents completed and ready for upload
  • To apply, use this link

Applicants will submit general and specific project information via the web-based form or via pdf upload as indicated.

Please review each scholarship individually to identify any additional requirements.

GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The following are general requirements for all applications: 

Applicant's Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Personal Statement (Half page limit) - Template

Explain your goals and objectives for your career development, to include:

  • How this research project fits into your plans
  • How you identified your mentor

Student Proposal (2 Page limit unless otherwise noted)

Describe your proposed research, including:

  • Project title
  • Background
  • Hypotheses
  • Proposed methods

Mentor Information

  • Mentor's NIH Biosketch
  • Mentor's Letter of Support

SCHOLARSHIP SPECIFIC APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The following scholarships have additional individualized requirements:

More details regarding these requirements can be found by reviewing each scholarship's information individually.

Please click on the link above to access the necessary document(s). Documents must be uploaded within the application.

Please note: There are no templates for the Duke Global Health Institute and Duke-Singapore Student Scholar Fellowship awards. Applicants must generate the documentation needed to upload within the application.

Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to third-year Duke medical students who have been accepted into the MD-MEng dual degree program as they complete a master's degree from Duke's Pratt School of Engineering. It will assist recipients by providing support toward tuition and fees. Students supported by this endowment will be designated Barr-Spach Medicine-Engineering Fellows.

Discover the various disciplines available at https://meng.pratt.duke.edu/disciplines. 

Maynard Ramsey III, M'69, G'75, a grateful student, established the Barr-Spach Medicine and Engineering Scholarship in honor of his Duke mentors, Roger C. Barr and Madison S. Spach, whose careers span the two disciplines.

Roger C. Barr is a professor of biomedical engineering and an associate professor of pediatrics. His research has involved mathematical analysis and computer simulations of electrically active tissue-particularly in and around the heart-and the development of computer systems for simultaneous high-speed recordings of cardiac voltage channels.

Madison S. Spach is a James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of medicine and Professor Emeritus of pediatrics in the School of Medicine. A renowned pediatric cardiologist and scientist, his research examined electrophysiology and the mechanisms behind cardiac dysrhythmias. On the faculty from 1960-1996, Spach developed Duke's training program in pediatric cardiology.

Additional Application Requirements: 

Applicants should use the short answer essay questions required for the Master’s application in lieu of a personal statement.

Applicants should complete this Word Document providing a statement of submission and upload it within the scholarship application.

Please contact Brad Fox to express interest in the scholarship in advance of submitting a formal application.  

Please see application requirements below. 

The Duke Office of Physician-Scientist Development (OPSD) and the Duke Burroughs Wellcome Fund Physician-Scientist Institutional Award (BWF-PSIA) are pleased to announce a request for applications for funding to offset tuition for enrollment in the Basic Science Research Track (BSRT) for the Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) in Clinical Research Program.

These need-based scholarships provide up to $30,000 (up to $15,000 per year for 2 years) to cover program tuition.  This RFA is open to physician-scientists preparing to enroll in the BSRT program, including medical students intending to pursue a second 3rd year experience; fellows working in basic science laboratories; early career-stage faculty and potential K award applicants.

Proposals should include:

  • Applicant’s CV
  • Research Summary (1- 2 pages)
  • Statement of need including a description of the impact the BSRT degree program is expected to have on the applicant’s ability to move their research forward
  • An overview of the applicant’s research and career plans
  • Letter of support from Mentor (for students and trainees) or Division Chief/Department Chair (for faculty) (1 page)

For additional information, please contact Holly Hough.

This fellowship provides for research in vascular biology under the direction of a full time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Pathology. This ten month fellowship includes a financial stipend.

For additional information, please contact Shannon J McCall, M.D.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a research scholarship for one (1) MS3 student who is conducting research under the direction of a full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Scholars will be awarded a $15,000 scholarship for a 10-month research experience. Students will be encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

For more information, please contact Third Year Behavioral Neuroscience Program Director, Chris Marx, MD and copy Julie Penzer, MD.

This is a two-year scholarship funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). CTSA scholars will complete two years of mentored clinical research and complete the Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research (through the Duke Clinical Research Training Program). 

The Duke CTSA TL1 scholarship provides full tuition for scholars to complete the Master’s program, a stipend for each full year of study, and additional funds that may be applied towards insurance costs, research expenses, and travel expenses to scientific meetings. CTSA scholars will graduate from Duke Medical School a year late. 

Additional Application Requirements:

  • Name, position/title, and email address of three (3) individuals other than your primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests.
  • A brief description clarifying the applicant’s role on the study.
  • Applicants may also provide up to two (2) additional pages of information to the proposed research program question in the application.

Applicants should use this form which includes all additional application requirements and upload it within the scholarship application.

For additional information, please contact Stephanie Molner.

Additional Application Requirements:

  • Site Based Mentor Letter of Support (if applicant's site-based mentor is different from their Duke Mentor
  • Detailed Budget (Click here for form)

The Third-Year Global Health Study Program takes advantage of the Duke School of Medicine’s unique curriculum to allow medical students to take their entire third year for research activities.

For additional information, please contact Lysa MacKeen

Application Deadline:  April 15, 2024 (NOTE DUE DATE)

The DIHI is a platform and resource for Duke University/Duke Health faculty, staff and students to advance transformative innovations in health and healthcare delivery. The DIHI clinical research and innovation scholarship will support a student to join an innovation pilot project team for the duration of third year.  The student will be expected to pose an original research question that pertains to the project and must attend and lead team meetings. Awards are up to $15,000 but vary year to year.

For additional information, please contact Ebony Nash.

The Duke Physician Scientist Institutional Award (BWF) Research Fellowship for Medical Students is designed to encourage rising third year medical students to undertake a basic/bench research project at Duke University, with preference given to those who plan to commit to doing a second third year.  $10,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for students in their first third year.  $25,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for medical students in their second third year.  This program is made possible through a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF).

For additional information, please contact Holly Hough.

Application Deadline:  March 1, 2024 (NOTE DUE DATE)

Additional Application Requirements:

  • Write a brief (1-2 page) essay on "How, if at all, will being in Singapore enhance my research?"

Duke-Singapore Student 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. This research will take up around 80% of the scholars’ time. The scholars are also expected to serve on various curriculum committees and engage fully with the Duke-NUS student community. Ideally, there would be a paired mentorship collaboration between the Duke-NUS mentors and Duke mentors for the scholars.

Duke-Singapore Student Scholars will receive:

SGD20,000 tuition support which will be paid directly to Duke University

Two round trip economy (coach) class airline tickets from Duke University/home city to Singapore (one for initial arrival in Singapore and one for home/holiday trip). The maximum amount will be set annually, based on prevailing lowest airfares at the time of the award. If the tickets are not purchased directly by Duke University or Duke-NUS Medical School, students will need to submit original receipts for reimbursement.

Monthly stipend of SGD3,200 (subject to change) for the required period of the 3rd Year research, or up to 10 months, whichever is shorter.

Any mandatory NUS-related charges including but not limited to the following:

  • Student Services Fee    S$ 63.11 per semester
  • Health Services Fee      S$ 68.35 per semester
  • Mandatory NUS-related charges are subject to revision. Please check here for current information.

Temporary living expenses to assist the move to Singapore will be reimbursed up to SGD80 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.

The scholarship will not be re-awarded to existing recipients of the scholarship, in the event that they extend their period of research beyond 10 months.

For additional information, please contact Sulochana Naidoo, Ph.D.

The award is subject to prevailing travel advisories in view of COVID-19

 

Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at DUMC from 1947-1967. The Stead Scholarships, funded by donations from grateful patients and former colleagues, are the oldest of the Duke intramural medical student research scholarships. This endowment was established in 1988 to support a student in basic cardiovascular research. 

The Stead Committee typically awards 3-5 scholarships annually with a focus on third-year students who are working with mentors with a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine, or with basic science mentors.  The research stipend for the Stead Scholarship is typically up to $35,000. A brief proposal for your research topic is followed by interviews by invitation. The Stead Committee is also supportive of a second research year, and those awards are typically up to $25,000.

For additional information, please contact Rhonda Bartley.

Applications must be directly emailed to Gretchen Oakley

The Eva J. Salber Award is awarded to a third-year medical student(s) to investigate and improve the health of a defined, disadvantaged population group. The award is named for Eva J. Salber, MD, an early pioneer in Duke's efforts to partner with Durham County on community health projects. It provides financial support of $5,000 for students working to address an unmet need in the community. Up to 50% of the awards may be used to defray tuition expenses and expenses incurred while carrying out the project. 

Click here for more information.

A call for applications will be sent at the end of the MS2 year. Application deadline is October 1st. 

The Gynecologic Cancer Research Fellowship is offered to third-year Duke University Medical Students annually. This award is intended to support students who choose to spend their third year involved in some aspect of gynecologic cancer research under the supervision of a Duke Gynecologic Cancer Program faculty member. This includes research in ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer.  The Fellowship carries an annual stipend of $10,000. This includes $5,000 directly to the student, $2,500 for research expenses and $2,500 for travel to meetings to present their research.

For additional information, please contact Laura Havrilesky.     

The Robert J. Margolis, MD Center for Health Policy offers a one-year scholarship to third-year Duke medical students. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in and leadership potential for the field of health policy and commit to conducting a Scholarly Research Project on a topic at the intersection of health policy and clinical practice. Scholarly Research Projects are completed under the mentorship of a faculty member affiliated with Duke-Margolis.

Margolis Scholars is a prestigious program designed to prepare promising students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve health, health equity, and the value of health care and become the next generation of health care leaders in practice and research. The program was named in honor of Robert Margolis, M.D., the founder of Duke-Margolis, a pioneer of innovative integrated care delivery models, and a Duke SOM alum.

Applicants must identify an approved mentor who is affiliated with Duke-Margolis and a research project with a health policy focus before applying.

All Margolis Scholars are expected to engage in Margolis Scholars program activities, such as health policy coursework, training events in the fall and spring semesters, Margolis research seminars, and small group activities with interdisciplinary groups of students.  Scholars will also become part of the broader Duke-Margolis Center community of faculty, research staff, and external experts working on the cutting edge of health policy and health care transformation.

Margolis Scholars in Medicine will receive a financial award of $12,500 and will also be eligible for up to $6,000 in additional funding for educational, research, and professional development activities. 

Additional Application Requirements:

  • Margolis Scholars Interest Statement (300 words or less)
    • What interests you about the Margolis Scholars program, and how would the program benefit you during your Duke program of study and with regards to your immediate and long-term career goals?
  • Health Policy Training Ideas (200 words or less)
    • As a Scholar, you will have access to funds to support additional training in health policy to complement your degree program. What kind of activities would you want to pursue (in research or professional development, for example), and how might you use these funds? (If accepted, it's OK to change your mind; you will not be held to the initial idea(s) you include here).
  •  Health Policy Event Idea (200 words or less)
    • If you were in charge of organizing a Margolis Center symposium or community service event related to a current health policy topic that interests you, what topic would you choose, why would you choose it, and how might you thoughtfully design a one-day event?
  •  Personal Uniqueness Statement (150 words or less)
    • The Margolis Scholars are a vibrant and interdisciplinary community. What will you bring to this group? In contrast to questions that ask you to describe your skills, accomplishments, and future goals, we are asking you here to discuss your personal uniqueness.
  •  OPTIONAL - Barriers Discussion (150 words or less)
    • We believe that students of diverse backgrounds will positively contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural enrichment of the Margolis Center. This section is optional, but it provides you with the opportunity to discuss how you may have navigated any economic, social, cultural, educational, or other barriers, and what you have learned from those experiences.
  •  OPTIONAL - Anything Else (150 words or less)
    • We recognize your responses to the questions we have asked on this application may not capture everything important about you as it relates to your suitability for the Margolis Scholars program. This section is optional, but you may use it to tell us anything else you would like us to know about you.

Applicants should use this form which includes all additional application requirements and upload it within the scholarship application.

For more information, or for a list of eligible mentors, please contact Tiffany Chan and visit the Margolis Scholars webpage.

Applications must be directly emailed to Gretchen Oakley

The Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund is awarded to a third-year medical student who undertakes a project in community health, occupational health, or international health. The fund is named for Michael R. Nathan, MD, a 1973 graduate of Duke University School of Medicine.  Funding is $5,000 and awarded to a deserving third-year medical student who undertakes a project in community health, occupational health, or international health. A portion of the award (up to 50 percent) can be used to offset tuition expenses and the rest will be used for travel and project expenses. The award is made annually on a competitive basis. Projects carried on under the award will be supervised by the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.  Click here for more information.

A call for applications will be sent at the end of the MS2 year. Application deadline is October 1st. 

The Poindexter Scholars in Basic Sciences Program is designed to encourage rising third year medical students to participate in research projects under the guidance of basic science faculty members in the School of Medicine.  This program is focused on basic science research, and priority will be given to those who identify laboratories in basic science departments, though applicants doing basic research in Clinical departments are also encouraged to apply. $10,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for students in their first third year.  $25,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for medical students in their second third year.  This program is made possible through the generosity of Dr. John Poindexter, an alumnus of the School of Medicine. 

For more information, contact Holly Hough.

This scholarship fund was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Ralph Randal Bollinger, a surgical leader whose love of science and surgery has made a significant contribution to medical research and teaching at Duke University.

The Department of Surgery offers research scholarships for MS3 students conducting research within the department and are mentored by Department of Surgery faculty. Research should be focused on general/thoracic surgery. Applicants are reviewed competitively. Funding is variable but has ranged $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.

For additional information, please contact Ben Thomas

The Duke Center for Personalized Health Care (DCPHC) in collaboration with the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) is offering a one-year scholarship to outstanding Duke MS3 students that demonstrate a strong interest in participating in research regarding new approaches to health care delivery that are personalized, proactive, precise, and patient-centered.  Health care is in the midst of a transformation from a reactive, uncoordinated focus on disease to coordinated, predictive, preventative, and precision care that addresses the broad needs of the individual.  The DCPHC is well-recognized as a leading creator and developer of such care models while the DCI is a nationally recognized leader in precision cancer care.  The awardees will have demonstrated excellence in their medical school training and a deep commitment to improving health care.  Scholars will serve as interns in the DCPHC and assigned research projects to develop and test innovative new models of care for individuals with chronic disease.  As part of this experience, awardees will rotate through the DCI to learn the basis and practice of precision cancer care.   Scholars will participate in selective activities of DCPHC and DCI including seminars, research presentations, manuscript preparation, and mentorship by key faculty.  Dr. Ralph Snyderman and Dr. Joseph Moore will serve as direct mentors.

The overall purpose of the program is to enable students to understand and contribute to new approaches to care that are transforming medicine.  It is our hope that Scholars will emerge as not only better practitioners, but better prepared to be leaders in health care.  The award is made possible through a generous contribution from Julie and Bill Esrey. Bill was CEO of Sprint and Julie was an esteemed member of the Duke Board of Trustees and a valued advisor to the Medical Center. 

Each Snyderman/Moore Scholar will receive up to $5,000 in award funds. 

For additional information, please contact Cindy Mitchell.