Opportunities for Medical Students

The Duke Office of Physician Scientist Development is offering in-depth summer research training experiences as part of the Preparing Research scholars In bioMEdical sciences (PRIME) pathway program. Participating medical students will pursue mentored training in one of three funded research programs: non-malignant Hematology (sickle cell disease, bleeding/clotting disorders), Ophthalmology, or Radiation Oncology. 

The OPSD PRIME Academy is an enrichment program that exposes participants to research experiences and research career paths for physician-scientists. The program is currently open to medical students (matriculated or enrolled) who are seeking research opportunities. 

The PRIME Academy consists of mentored research training in the group or lab of a participating Duke faculty member and a six- to eight-week didactic/networking curriculum. Selected students will work in a faculty member's research group/lab, gain clinical exposure, and benefit from the planned curriculum, discussion sessions and collaborations with other student participants.

Additional Details

• No prior experience in research necessary. Applicants only need to demonstrate a strong interest in science and a solid academic performance.

• Compensation: Participants receive a $6,000 salary for the 8-week program.

• Participants are responsible for securing their own room and board.

Application Procedure

To complete the application, you will need the following PDF files to upload: 

1. Undergraduate transcript (unofficial transcripts accepted)

2. Curriculum vitae/resume with detailed information on any research experiences

3. Medical school transcript (if you have been accepted but yet not started medical school please attach your acceptance letter), and 

     4. One letter of recommendation-support (from a mentor or advisor).

Interested participants can apply HERE. 

Important Dates                                                                              

The summer internship opportunities will begin June 2024.

Application Period Ends: February 1st, 2024

Selection Notification: March 10th, 2024

For questions concerning the Summer Academy, please contact the Office of Physician-Scientist Development at opsd@dm.duke.edu. 

 

APPLICATION WILL OPEN IN EARLY 2024

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.  There will be one $10,000 award given for the first year, and a $25,000 award for the second year, contingent upon satisfactory performance in the first year. MS2 applicants for the $10,000 award must apply submit by the application due date. In addition to this application, applicants must provide the name, position/title, and email address of three individuals other than your primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests. This program is made possible through a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF).

For more information contact the Office for Physician Scientist Development (opsd@dm.duke.edu). 

APPLICATIONS OPEN IN EARLY 2024

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. There will be one $10,000 award given for the first year, and a $25,000 award for the second year, contingent upon satisfactory performance in the first year. MS2 applicants for the award must complete the Duke Internal Scholarship Application form and submit by the application due date. In addition to this application, applicants must provide the name, position/title, and email address of three individuals other than your primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests. This program is made possible through the generosity of Dr. John Poindexter, an alumnus of the School of Medicine.

For more information please visit Internal Scholarships Website or contact the Office for Physician Scientist Development (opsd@dm.duke.edu).

APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2024

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.

I. Purpose

Early career physician-scientists may face challenges with research productivity as they navigate both clinical and research training and responsibilities. This challenge may be ameliorated with formal training to prepare individuals for careers as physician-scientists pursuing a range of discovery sciences.

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)

II. Key Dates

Application Submission Deadline: TBD
Final Selection: TBD
Funding Period: TBD

III. Eligibility

Applicants:

Only applicants enrolling in the degree-granting BSRT track of the CRTP program who are conducting basic or translational (laboratory or big data/computational biology) research in the following categories are eligible to apply:

• Duke School of Medicine students who are pursuing basic science research, including recipients of BWF Medical Student Scholarships and Poindexter Medical Student Scholarships
• Duke School of Medicine trainees (resident or fellow) in any clinical training program who have set aside research time during their clinical training
• Duke junior faculty who are within the first 5 years of a faculty appointment and are physician scientists
• Note that applicants with alternate sources of funding (e.g. T32 grants) for tuition may not be prioritized. Potential applicants should explore these potential sources of funding with their mentors before applying for scholarship funds.

IV. Funding

Up to $15,000 per year for up to two years, applied directly to cover tuition costs for the BSRT program.

V. Selection Process and Review Criteria

Following submission, applications are reviewed by a committee composed of members of the BWF-PSIA leadership. The Review Committee will consider the following criteria when reviewing and scoring applications:

• Potential impact of scholarship on applicant’s research trajectory
• Documented need for financial assistance
• Scientific impact of proposed research direction and potential for success

VI. Application Procedure

The completed proposal should be emailed to opsd@dm.duke.edu.

Applications should be submitted as one (1) pdf document.

VII. Budget Guidelines

Funds will be directly transferred to cover tuition expenses.
Any funds unspent as of July 31, 2024 will be returned to OPSD.

IX. Post-Award Reporting

OPSD and the BWF-PSIA track significant events resulting from the funding. Any significant events should be included in the final report. Investigators will be responsible for providing an annual report to OPSD detailing any achievements linked to this award. Examples include:

• Abstracts/presentations, manuscripts, published guidelines
• Follow-on funding (e.g., grants from government or foundation sources, SBIR/STTR, angel and venture capital investment)
• Milestones achieved in animal models or manufacturing
• Career progression
• Patents
• Translation of models to other geographical areas
• Translation of models to other therapeutic areas
• Agreements with partners and strategic collaborators to translate the research
• Commercialization (e.g. new intellectual property, license, commercial partnerships, start-up company)
• Translation to clinical studies
• Direct-to-consumer interactions (e.g. apps) 

When requested, all awardees will be expected to provide updates of publications and other successes that originated from the award. 

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on this funding opportunity, please contact opsd@dm.duke.edu