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 non-malignant Hematology (sickle cell disease, bleeding/clotting disorders). 

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. Students from institutions without significant research programs are encouraged to apply.

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).

The PRIME Summer Academy will not be offered in Summer 2025. We will share updates about future opportunities as they became available.

Questions may be submitted via email at opsd@dm.duke.edu.

THE APPLICATION PORTAL IS CLOSED WILL REOPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2026 

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. Applicants must plan to research in a laboratory at Duke University to be eligible for this award. 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.

Applicants must provide the name, position/title, and email address of three individuals other than their primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests.

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

THIS APPLICATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND WILL OPEN IN THE FALL OF 2025

The ASCI PSSF Fellowship is a fully funded, medical school gap-year opportunity for MD-only students to engage in rigorous, immersive training with research mentors. Previously known as the Physician-Scientist Support Foundation Medical Scholars Research Fellowship (PSSF MSRF), the ASCI PSSF Fellowship continues to offer a 12-month training experience in biomedical research under the supervision of a principal investigator mentor. The ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee is chaired by Duke's esteemed professor Robert Lefkowitz.

The ASCI awards five PSSF Fellowships annually. Candidates propose research projects and, if selected, conduct laboratory research under the close guidance of their respective mentors. Fellowships are awarded based on the applicant’s potential to maintain their research trajectory and become a physician-scientist.

Fellowship candidacy will be evaluated based on the feasibility and scientific rigor of the proposed research projects, as well as the candidate’s strength of commitment and potential to successfully advance as a physician-scientist. Quality of training will be evaluated through the research plan and information provided in the mentor’s endorsement, including the mentor’s research qualifications, i.e. expertise and publication record in the research area, and external grant support to fund the research project for the entire proposed fellowship term.

To ensure continued excellence and diversity among applicants and awardees, ASCI welcomes applications from all qualified students and encourages applications from women and members of groups underrepresented in medicine and science.

An eligible ASCI PSSF Fellow nominee:

• is a single-degree allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical student interested in a dual career in research and patient care. They may not be enrolled in a combined MD/PhD program, a PhD program, a PharmD, an ScD program, or have completed a PhD, PharmD, or an ScD in a laboratory-based science.
• may apply during any year of their medical school studies; applicants in the last year of school must defer graduation until the completion of the fellowship year.
• can commit to 12 months of continuous, full-time laboratory research with minimal interruptions.
• is a United States citizen and U.S. permanent resident currently enrolled in a medical school in the United States.
• is not required to have prior laboratory research experience.

The ASCI PSSF Fellow Nominee must:

• secure a mentor with active research programs, sustained external grant support, a strong record of training students, and the time and interest to train the applicant. Mentors need not be ASCI members.
• develop a research plan in consultation with their mentor – who will directly supervise the proposed research – and make arrangements to work in the mentor’s laboratory. The ASCI will not make these arrangements.
• propose a research project in the basic, translational, or applied biomedical sciences. The ASCI PSSF Fellowship does not fund clinical, health services, or health policy research at this time.
• submit all application components online by February 3, 2025. Materials include: a brief biographical statement, comprehensive research plan, and a research mentor recommendation (500-word limit).
• choose an academic or non-profit research institution in the United States as their fellowship institution. It need not be the student’s medical school, but cannot be a government laboratory.

ASCI PSSF Fellowship Nomination and Selection Process:

• ASCI PSSF Fellowship cycles are annual, and typically begin in mid-fall.
• The Fellowship’s 12-month term is consecutive, and will begin no earlier than June 1 and end no later than September 1.
• Applicants must be nominated by their medical school dean, who can submit only one applicant per competition year.
• Medical school deans will send the applicant’s name and email address to programs@the-asci.org. A brief statement of support is encouraged but not required.
• Quality of training is evaluated through the research plan and information provided in the mentor’s endorsement, including the mentor’s research qualifications, e.g. expertise and publication record in the research area, and external grant support to fund the research project for the entire proposed fellowship term.
• The review committee will evaluate the impact of the research experience and how it would further the applicant’s development in relation to the level of any previous research experience

The ASCI PSSF Fellowship Includes:

• a $42,000 stipend and an additional allowance of $8,000 for health insurance and travel expenses.
• access to a monthly seminar series with ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee mentors and special guest speakers.
• a mid-year celebration to present fellowship research findings.
• complimentary registration to AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting including invitations to our:
  • Small Group Dinner with the ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee,
  • Early Career Award Welcome Reception,
  • ASCI Dinner and New Member Induction Ceremony,
  • Food & Science Evening, and
  • ASCI/AAIM/BWF Research Pathway Directors Workshop.
• Access to ASCI’s virtual community programming, including our:
  • Scientific-Sessions – a virtual spotlight, held every two months, on distinguished investigators and their contributions to the field of biomedical research,
  • peer review groups and near-peer mentoring opportunities, and
  • activities on various biomedical topics led by established physician-scientists.

For questions, email opsd@dm.duke.edu.