SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
College of Medicine
Summer Research Opportunities
SUNY Downstate Alumni Association has long sponsored a school-wide Summer Research Fellowship Program for First-Year medical students during the eight weeks between First- and Second-Year. The Alumni Association provides fellowships, stipends and other award types to support students during full-time summer research. Awards are given for basic, translational, clinical and public health research projects.
The Alumni Fund Summer Research Application is released to students in January with a submission deadline of end-March. Internal and External Summer Research Fellowships are highly competitive. Interested students must start early in the fall on identifying and applying to these programs, as submission dates range from October through February for work starting typically in June. In October-November, Downstate offers a series of lunchtime summer research seminars to guide students through the application process.
Other External Competitive Summer Research Training Opportunities
The listings below gives a brief program description. When you find a program that interests you, please go to that program’s website to learn more about their application deadlines and procedures.
American Society of Hematology Medical Student and Early Investigator Awards
HONORS (Hematology Opportunities for the Next Generation)
The HONORS (Hematology Opportunities for the Next Generation of Research Scientists) Award is intended for medical students and residents in the United States, Canada, or Mexico with an interest in hematology research. The award supports a short or longer hematological research project.
Minority Medical Student Award Program
The Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP) is structured around an 8- to 12-week
research experience for students from the United States and Canada in their early
years of medical school. Each year, up to 10 minority medical students enrolled in
DO, MD, or MD/PhD programs are selected to participate. (application available in
September for Summer, 2015)
MMSAP Page »
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Medical Fellows Program
HHMI’s Medical Research Fellows Program is being suspended. HHMI also seeks to experiment
with new ways to achieve our goal of making science education, and science, more inclusive.
We are working to positively impact the highest number of students we can, with a
growing emphasis on sustaining inclusive environments for all students at universities
and colleges around the country. To do that, we are shifting resources into a number
of other efforts, including our Inclusive Excellence, Science Education Alliance (SEA) and Gilliam Fellows programs. HHMI Awards Medical Research Fellowships allows exceptional MD, DVM, and
DDS students to shift course and conduct rigorous research at top institutions throughout
the US.
Web Site »
NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes
The Program in Diabetes is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health through the NIDDK and allows medical students to conduct research under the direction of an established scientist in the areas of diabetes, hormone action, physiology, islet cell biology or obesity at an institution with one of the NIDDK-funded Research Centers during the summer between the first and second year or second and third year of medical school. The Program helps students gain an improved understanding of career opportunities in biomedical research and a comprehensive understanding of diabetes, its clinical manifestations and its unsolved problems.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NRSA Diversity Supplement Award
The NIDDK currently provides the opportunity for well-qualified individuals from underrepresented
minority groups to receive research training under an existing NIDDK-funded T32 award, only when all the positions awarded for the T32 have been filled. Medical students,
either for a short term (summer) or a year, may receive support from any T32 program
that supports M.D. trainees.
Web Site »
Summer Internship Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
The Summer Internship Program at NIEHS is part of the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (NIH SIP). NIEHS is located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The Program provides internships to outstanding students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biological sciences to work on a research project that entails exposure to the latest biochemical, molecular, and analytical techniques in a given field.
NIH Clinical Center Summer Internships
Paid student interns work with researchers and health professionals to train in research
and participate in the NIH Summer Poster Day and lecturers presented by NIH investigators.
Web Site »
Hospital for Special Surgery Medical Student Summer Research Fellowships
The mentored Summer Research Fellowship is designed to introduce students who have completed their first year of medical school to research opportunities in orthopedic basic science, translational science, and clinical research in orthopedics.
53 Medical Research Fellowships for Professionals, Scholars and Students
ProFellow is a fantastic resource to inform students and graduates about fellowships. Here are a mixed series of links to short and long-term research training opportunities.
53 Medical Research Fellowships for Professionals, Scholars and Students | ProFellow
American Medical Association Seed Grant Research Program
The AMA established the Seed Program to encourage medical student research. Program grants support small research projects.
Summer Intern Scholarships in Cardiothoracic Surgery
The Summer Intern Scholarship in Cardiothoracic Surgery introduces cardiothoracic surgery to first- and second-year medical students during an eight-week summer placement within an American Association of Thoracic Surgery cardiothoracic surgery department.
Student Scholarships in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
The scientific councils of the American Heart Association (AHA) want to stimulate interest, knowledge and investigative work in students in medicine, nursing, public health, nutrition and other allied health disciplines. AHA Student Scholarships support students conducting research projects related to cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and stroke within basic, clinical, translational or population sciences early during pre-doctoral training, usually during the summer. Projects must be conducted under qualified supervision and each applicant and applicant's preceptor must be members of the AHA at the time of application.
Herbert Brendler, MD Summer Medical Student Fellowship Program (for urology)
Stimulating and meaningful research experiences mentored by leaders in the field are
likely to stimulate the interest needed to accomplish that goal, and could be the
catalyst that leads medical students to pursue a career in academic urology. The Urology
Care Foundation is proud to provide the Herbert Brendler, MD, Summer Medical Student
Fellowship Program, designed to encourage medical students to join the field of urology
through a summer fellowship program.
Web Site »
Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Student Research Fellowship
The SVS Foundation Student Research Fellowship stimulates laboratory and clinical vascular research by undergraduate college students and medical school students registered at universities in the United States and Canada.
The intent of the fellowship award is to further the student’s education and introduce the student to the application of rigorous scientific methods to clinical problems and underlying biologic processes important to patients with vascular disease.
Crohn's & Colitis foundation of America Student Research Awards
Offers financial support for students to spend time performing research on topics relevant to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), or Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The Foundation hopes to stimulate research interest in the area of IBD.
American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Summer Research Scholarship
Prestigious AAN awards recognize outstanding contributions to research in the field. Browse
the awards and scholarships available, and contact the staff representative for more
information. Open the award title link to view eligibility criteria, further award
information, and to apply.
Web Site »
American Brain Tumor Association Jack and Fay Netchin Medical Student Summer Fellowships
Medical Student Summer Fellowships are grants awarded to medical students who intend to spend a summer conducting brain tumor research with esteemed scientist mentors. The program’s intent is to inspire talented medical students to pursue a career in neuro-oncology research.
American Federation for Aging Research Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the MSTAR program encourages medical students provides medical students with an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, with the mentorship of top experts in the field.
HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) (for African American and Hispanic students)
HIV Vaccine Trials Network, in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health is investing in the next generation of HIV prevention researchers
MD Anderson Center First Year Medical Student Program
The First-Year Medical Student Program is a 10-week program that offers hands-on experience in biomedical, translational or clinical research. Students are matched with a mentor from MD Anderson’s research or clinical faculty. Work alongside the mentor on projects designed to reflect current research. Workshops and lectures connect you with faculty, residents, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, and other participants. The program culminates with a symposium in which participants present talks and posters on their research projects to peers and faculty.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Summer Fellowship Program for Medical Students
MSKCC Medical Student Summer Fellowship Program is a research program for first- and second-year students at US medical schools who are interested in careers as physician-scientists in the field of oncology and/or related biomedical sciences.
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship
Financial support for full-time research conducted for a minimum of 8 weeks for clinical investigation, basic laboratory research, epidemiology, social science/health services research, leadership, or professionalism. Funds from the fellowship are expected to be the major source of support for the student.
Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF)
Fellowships are awarded to medical students in the United States, Canada or Mexico who have completed one or more years of medical school and want to spend a summer mentored by a neurosurgical investigator sponsor who is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
Student Research Training Program (SRTP) in Diabetes and Obesity, Kidney Disease, and Digestive Disease (sponsored NIH)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine invites applications for the summer Medical Student Research Training Program (SRTP) in Diabetes and Obesity, Kidney Disease, and Digestive Disease. Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health to provide training during the summer between the first and second year to conduct diabetes and obesity-related research, kidney disease and hypertension-related research, or digestive disease research under the direction of an established scientist. No prior research experience is required.
Program Description | Vanderbilt Diabetes Center (vumc.org)
Children's Hospital Los Angeles Summer Oncology Research Fellowship
NIH-supported Summer Oncology Research Fellowship (SORF) Program is designed for medical students in the summer between their first and second year who are considering a biomedical career that involves cancer research. This research fellowship is held at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (USC).
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program
The Pediatric Oncology Education program is funded by the National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute. The POE program offers a unique opportunity for students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health to gain biomedical and oncology research experience. POE provides a summer internship in either laboratory research or clinical research, with the primary goal to encourage students to pursue a career in cancer research.
NYU Langone Pediatrics Summer Programs for Medical Students
The Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone provides Summer Research Fellowship for eight weeks each summer. It pairs each student with an investigator who focuses on clinical or basic science research in either general pediatrics or a pediatric subspecialty. Students can also request additional experiences in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings at various locations
Pediatrics Summer Programs for Medical Students | NYU Langone Health
Golisano Children’s Hospital Medical Student Summer Research
Strong Children’s Research Center Summer Program is open to students who have completed first year of medical school. The program is designed to assist students in choosing careers in research, pediatrics, and academic medicine. Selected students are paired with a mentor in a focused summer project, giving students an opportunity to become acquainted with the University of Rochester Medical Center, the Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Medical School, faculty, staff and other participants in the program.
Children's Hospital Colorado Summer Child Health Research Internship
The summer program will introduce students to research opportunities related to child health. The summer internships will include opportunities for students to participate in a lecture research series as well as present their research at the completion of the summer internship. Weekly research seminars will be given every Friday afternoon
Research Training | Children's Hospital Colorado (childrenscolorado.org)
MD Anderson Summer Experience
The MD Anderson Summer Experience is an umbrella program that comprises 15 summer academic programs at MD Anderson. The umbrella program provides activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops, a poster presentation and networking events. All students accepted into Summer Experience programs are invited to attend these events.
Summer Experience Information | MD Anderson Cancer Center
The Glorney-Raisbeck Medical Student Grants in Cardiovascular Research
The Glorney-Raisbeck Medical Student Grants in Cardiovascular Research. The grants are awarded to MD candidates who are either enrolled in a New York-area medical school or plan to conduct research at a New York-area institution, to pursue summer research projects seeking better understanding of the causes, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
David E. Rogers Fellowship Program
This Fellowship Award is designed to enrich the educational experiences of medical students through projects in medicine that contribute to community health and address the needs of underserved or disadvantaged patients or populations. Content includes clinical investigation, public health/epidemiology, health policy analysis, activities linking biomedicine, the social infrastructure and human or community need.
Ferdinand C. Valentine Medical Student Research Grants in Urology
The New York Academy of Medicine is pleased to announce the competition for The Ferdinand C. Valentine Medical Student Research Grants in Urology. The grants are awarded to MD candidates who are either enrolled in a New York-area medical school or plan to conduct research at a New York-area institution, to pursue mentored summer research projects in urology.
Campagna Scholarship in Neurological Surgery
This Summer Research Scholarship is available for United States medical students intending a career in neurological surgery here at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Students in the first or second year of study at an accredited U.S. medical school are eligible to apply. Applicants are invited to review the clinical and scientific interests of research mentors in the OHSU Department of Neurological Surgery. One scholar will be selected annually.
James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program
Fellowship supports public health research and professional development in the areas of infectious diseases and health disparities, with a special focus on increasing knowledge and interest in public health research careers among students from underrepresented populations. Fellows may also gain clinical experience and develop professional leadership skills in the public health field.
Simon Kramer Summer Externship in Radiation Oncology
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University & Hospitals in Philadelphia provides the annual Simon Kramer Society Externship in Radiation Oncology. This externship was established to provide exposure of medical students to radiation oncology working on a research project and participating in clinical and educational activities.
NASPGHAN Foundation Medical Student Mentored Summer Research Program
NASPGHAN (North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition) supports this program at multiple sites throughout the U.S. and Canada where medical students with research experiences under the mentorship of basic or clinical scientists with a research focus in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, or nutrition.
National Student Injury Research Training Program
The Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) hosts the National Medical Student Injury Research Training Program to provide research training to future physician-investigators while introducing them to the field of injury research and prevention.
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research
At this internationally-renowned research institution and one of the few Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country, a multidisciplinary focus with unique immersion in cancer science is provide to help guide young physician-scientist careers.
NYU Langone Health Emergency Medicine Fellowship for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine
The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine at NYU Langone is pleased to offer the Fellowship for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine to medical students enrolled at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education–accredited school.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
Many, many links to medical student summer research opportunities are available here through AAMC.