Summer Research Program
Application opens on November 1 and is due by March 1
UTSW Medical students interested in pursuing investigative research endeavors during their summer break before the beginning of their MS2 curriculum may apply for the UT Southwestern Summer Research Program. The program is designed to increase scientific knowledge and skills through rich research experiences developed between a student and their mentor.
If accepted into the program, participants can expect to:
- Conduct a basic, clinical, or translational research project
- Work with a mentor
- Attend weekly lunch seminars where faculty members will discuss the fundamentals of basic and clinical research
- Receive a research stipend
Eligibility
To participate, students must meet the following eligibility requirements.
Students must be:
- In good academic standing with your medical school
- Able to participate full-time for the full nine weeks
Students may not:
- Enroll in any coursework during the program
- Receive funding from another source for summer research
- Participate in any other campus employment
How do I apply?
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View the Summer Project Archive
Before February 1
Note that new, data-producing research is preferred. Become familiar with:
- Previous project types selected for funding
- Faculty members who participated as mentors. The Project Indexes are not the only faculty you can work with. Any faculty on-campus is a potential mentor.
-
Secure a Lab & Faculty Mentor
Before February 1
Discuss possible projects with your mentor.
-
Submit Your Letter of Intent
By February 7
Submit your letter of intent:
- Via MedStudentResearch@UTSouthwestern.edu
- Via campus mail – Mail code: 9006
-
Write Project Description with Your Mentor
Before March 1
Include:
- Background
- Hypothesis
- Specific aims
- Study design
- Disease relevance
Tailor for a summer research project
- No general lab abstracts
- No abstracts for broad grant proposals
-
Write Mentor’s Training Plan with Your Mentor
Before March 1
Include:
- Mentor’s involvement in training the student throughout project
- Name of person who will guide the student on day-to-day technical issues
- Planned enrichment activities such as formal and informal seminars, laboratory meetings, journal clubs, etc.
- Adequacy of physical resources such as lab, computer, etc.
-
Write Personal Essays (3)
Before March 1
Include:
- Educational, research, and/or employment experience – How does it relate to your continued training in research?
- Personal characteristics or challenging experiences – How can it contribute to the educational experience of other program participants?
- Plans for professional or graduate education – How does research fit into plans?
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Secure & Submit a Letter of Recommendation
By March 1
The letter could be from:
- A mentor
- A teacher
- An employer
- An adviser
The letter should include information about the:
- Student’s intellectual abilities
- Previous training and experience
- Potential for a career in research
Submit your letter of intent:
- Via MedStudentResearch@UTSouthwestern.edu
- Via campus mail – Mail code: 9006
-
Complete the Online Application
Application Opens November 1 and is Due by March 1
Complete the online application in which you will insert the following prepared sections:
- Project description
- Mentor’s training plan
- Personal essays (3)
- Letter of recommendation
UT Southwestern Summer Research Program Timeline Highlights
- Nov. 1 of MS1 Year
Application opens - March 1 of MS1 Year
Application & additional documentation submission deadline - Around March 27 of MS1 Year
Notification of acceptance into the program
Evaluation and Selection of Applicants
The review committee will evaluate each student’s demonstrated scholarship and promise for future achievement in the field of research. Also considered:
- Appropriateness of project for training in proposed areas of research
- Quality of training environment
- Quality of mentor training plan
- Impact of research experience on career development
Evaluations by the review committee will be confidential.
