Dean's Research Scholars

A one-year fellowship for aspiring physician-scientists

Are you a 2nd or 3rd-year medical student with a passion for both patient care and scientific discovery? 

The Dean's Research Scholarship, funded by the Louisville Clinical & Translational Research Centers (CTRD) grant, offers a unique opportunity for four medical students to dedicate a year to research. This fellowship is for those who want to bridge the gap between clinical practice and scientific innovation and acquire the skills and experience needed to become a leader in the next generation of physician-scientists.

Combine your passion for individual patient care with the curiosity to make a global impact.

A research year provides a structured opportunity to learn valuable skills like experimental design, data interpretation, critical appraisal of scientific literature, and scientific writing. For students who want to pursue a career in academic medicine or as a physician-scientist, a research year is a vital step.

Dean's Research Scholars Benefits

  • Conference Attendance

    DRS scholars attend the American Physician Scientist Association annual conference as well as an opportunity to present their research at a conference in their chosen residency.

  • Financial Support

    DRS scholars are awarded a $50,000 stipend, not including insurance costs or certain tuition fees. Scholars receive Graphpad Prism subscription access as well as access to Stanford's medical statistics online program.

  • Skill Development

    DRS scholars participate in monthly professional development meetings with peers and senior faculty to hone their skills in scientific communication, biostatistics and research design.

Eligibility Requirements

Dean's Research Scholars must be second- or third-year medical students in good academic standing throughout their medical school years. Applicants must have taken and passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt by the start of the Dean’s Research Scholar year. You will need a primary research mentor.

To apply you will need to submit:
- Personal Statement (1 page max)
- Current CV
- Research Plan with Specific Aims (3 pages max)
- Letter of Support (primary research mentor)
- Biosketch of primary mentor

Dean's Research Scholars, Iona Palmer and Grayson Stinger, present at the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting for Physician-Scientists.

Dean's Research Scholars

A new request for proposals will be announced in September 2026 for the 2027-2028 academic year.

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Support

By building a publication record and establishing key relationships with leading faculty, you will not only become a more competitive residency candidate but also a future leader in medicine. This fellowship is a foundational step for those committed to a career at the forefront of clinical and translational research.