Dean's Research Scholars

A One-Year Research Fellowship for Medical Students

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

The University of Louisville School of Medicine encourages medical students to consider a fully-funded one-year research fellowship. Each year, approximately 2-4 students receive a competitive Dean's Research Scholarship award to commit a year to research funded by the Louisville Clinical & Translational Research Center. This fellowship runs from July 1st - June 30th.

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 to strengthen your residency readiness. 

Most students opt to take a research year between their third and fourth years of medical school. Given the third year of medical school is critical in terms of deciding on a specialty, the research year often comes once the decision of specialty is made. Research should ideally be centered around the specialty a student ultimately plans to pursue, but a perfect coordination of research topic and specialty is not necessary. 

To learn more about the Dean's Research Program, please review the information below.

Scholars awarded a one-year research fellowship are required to:

• Participate full-time from July 1 - June 30.
• Attend orientation meeting in July.
• Meet with Program Directors in the fall and the spring to discuss progress.
• Attend all monthly seminars and complete required checkpoints.
• Participate in two residency readiness intensives in the fall and the spring.
• Deliver an in-person capstone presentation at the annual culmination event.

Benefits of the Dean's Research Scholars Fellowship

• Dedicated Research Immersion: Engage in full-time, intensive laboratory research with direct oversight and guidance from a faculty mentor, supported by a $50,000 stipend.
• Professional Networking & Mentorship: Expand your professional network and refine your research focus through monthly meetings with DIPSD peers and senior faculty members.
• Residency Strategy & Career Preparation: Enhance residency competitiveness through dedicated intensives in the fall and spring.
• Conference Participation & Scientific Communication: Receive full travel support to attend the annual American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) conference, as well as an additional residency specialty-specific conference.

Financial Information

Dean's Research Scholars are awarded a $50,000 stipend. Scholars are responsible for health insurance and a minimal tuition fee (2 graduate credit hours).

Costs for travel and accommodation are covered for the APSA annual conference and another residency-specific conference during the research year. Costs for abstract submissions, online courses and GraphPad prism software are covered as well. Additional costs for professional development may be covered with approval.

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. 

Students are encouraged to work with their primary mentor to finalize the application well before the submission deadline.

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

If you have a question about applying or need help finding a mentor, please contact Kristi Treitman or one of the Program Directors.

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.