Medical Research Fellows Program - HHMI.org · 2015-08-20 · 5 Medical Research Fellows Program | 2016 PROGRAM INFORMATION Fellowship Support for Research Training ELIGIBILITY Applicants

Medical Research Fellows Program

Program Information

2016

Department of Science Education

Application Deadline January 11, 2016

Announcement of AwardsMarch 2016

2 Medical Research Fellows Program | 2016 PROGRAM INFORMATION

Medical Research Fellows Program

The goal of the HHMI Medical Research Fellows Program (“Med Fellows Program”) is to strengthen and expand the nation’s pool of physician-scientists.

The fellowship provides support for one year of full-time, mentored research training in fundamental biomedical research.

HHMI plans to award up to 60 fellowships to medical, dental, and veterinary students who have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to biomedical research as evidenced by previous laboratory research experience and a track record of scholarship as undergraduates and during their initial medical, dental, or veterinary school training.

To ensure continued excellence and diversity among applicants and awardees, HHMI welcomes applications from all qualified students and specifically encourages applications from women and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences.

Partnership Initiatives. Some Medical Fellows conducting research in the following areas may be supported by organizations partnering with HHMI:

•Duchennemusculardystrophyresearch(Partner:DuchenneResearchFund);

•Epilepsyresearch(Partner:CitizensUnitedforResearchinEpilepsy);

•HIVorTBresearch(Partner:K-RITH);

• Inheritedretinaldegenerativediseaseresearch(Partner:FoundationFightingBlindness);

•Orthopaedicresearch(Partner:OrthopaedicResearchandEducationFoundation)

•Parkinson’sdiseaseresearch(Partner:Parkinson’sDiseaseFoundation)

•Preclinicalresearchininterventionalradiology(Partner:SocietyofInterventionalRadiologyFoundation);and

•Veterinarystudentresearch(Partner:BurroughsWellcomeFund).

Theapplicationprocessisthesameforstudentseligibleforpartnership-sponsoredfellowships.Thereisnoseparatedesignationrequiredintheonlineapplication.HHMIwillidentifyapplicantsforconsiderationfortheseawards.

FellowssponsoredbyorganizationsthathavepartneredwithHHMIwillreceivethesameleveloffundingandwillhavealltheobligationsandprivilegesofotherfellowsparticipatingintheMedicalResearchFellowsProgram.


Medical Research Fellows Program at Janelia

The HHMI Medical Research Fellows Program is seeking highly talented students with an interest in neuronal networking and/or imaging at the cellular and molecular level for an intense year-long research training experience at the Janelia Research Campus, a world-class biomedical research center in Ashburn, Virginia. Students should have a proven track record of research accomplishment, a commitment to a basic research field being pursued by Janelia investigators, and must comply with the specific application and eligibility requirements for the Janelia program. Awardees will live and work on the campus, located in Loudoun County, Virginia, which is near Washington, D.C.

MedicalResearchFellowsProgramatK-RITH

The Medical Research Fellows Program at K-RITH is targeted to students interested in conducting laboratory research in HIV, TB, or co-infection in a state-of-the-art research institute at the heart of the TB and HIV epidemics. Fellows will spend the year living and working in Durban, South Africa. Students should have previous research experience and a strong interest in infectious disease. Students must comply with the specific application and eligibility requirements for the K-RITH program.


ELIGIBILITY

LOAN DEFERMENT

AREA OF RESEARCH

RESEARCH MENTOR AND RESEARCH PLAN

LOCATION OF STUDY

FELLOWSHIP TERM

STIPEND AND ALLOWANCES

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

2016 SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF MEDICAL FELLOWS

APPLICATION PROCESS

APPLICATION TO THE MEDICAL RESEARCH FELLOWS PROGRAM AT JANELIA AND K-RITH

APPLICATION AND AWARD DATES

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR A SECOND YEAR

APPLICATION TIPS

APPLICATION TIPS FOR THE MEDICAL RESEARCH FELLOWS PROGRAM AT JANELIA AND K-RITH

FellowshipSupportforResearchTraining

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FellowshipSupportforResearchTraining

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a medical, dental,orveterinaryschoolintheUnitedStates.Students may apply during any year of their studies, but applicants in the last year of school must defer graduationuntilcompletionofthefellowshipyear.

Allstudentsmustmakeacommitmenttoconducting12monthsofcontinuous,full-timeresearchwithminimalinterruptionsforinterviewsforresidencyorpost-graduatetraining.Thesefellowshipsarenotavailabletostudentsenrolledinacombinedmedical,dental,orveterinary/PhDprogram(e.g.,MD/PhD),aPhDprogram,oranScDprogramortothosewhohavecompletedaPhDoranScDinalaboratory-basedscience.

Previouslaboratoryresearchexperienceisrequired.Applicantsshouldhaveoneormoresubstantialresearchexperiences(e.g.,summerorpart-timeresearchexperience).Applicantswithayearoffull-timeresearchexperiencesinceenteringmedical,dental,orveterinaryschoolmustshowhowfurtherfull-timeresearchexperienceatthistimewouldstronglyenhancetheirfutureresearchcareers.Students applying for the Medical Research Fellows ProgramatJaneliashouldhavesignificantresearchexperienceandaccomplishments.

Therearenocitizenshiprequirementsforapplication,butthosewhoarenotU.S.citizensmusthaveandmaintainanappropriatevisawitheligibilitytoworkintheUnitedStatesstatusbytheawardacceptancedeadlineofMarch25,2016.StudentsmustbeauthorizedtoworkintheUnitedStatesduringtheentiretermoftheirHHMIfellowshipyear.HHMIwillnothandlevisamattersforapplicants.

ApplicantsmaynotconcurrentlyhavetwoMedicalResearchFellowsapplicationsintheHHMICompetitionSystem(e.g.,aMedicalResearchFellowsatJaneliaorK-RITHapplicationandastandardMedicalResearchFellowsapplication).ItisrecommendedthatthoseapplyingfortheJaneliaorK-RITHoptionshaveamentor and project in mind at another fellowship institutionintheeventtheirprescreeningapplicationdoes not progress in the Medical Research Fellows at JaneliaorK-RITHcompetition.ThosenotprogressingpasttheJaneliaorK-RITHinterviewstageareencour-aged to complete the standard Medical Research Fellows Program application with a mentor at another fellowship institutionbyJanuary11.

LOAN DEFERMENT

HHMI can complete loan deferment forms for fellows so that they are able to defer their loans during their HHMIfellowshipyear.

AREA OF RESEARCH

Theproposedprojectmustbeinthebasic,translational,orappliedbiomedicalsciences.HHMIdoesnotfundclinicalresearch,healthservicesorhealthpolicyresearch.

Basic Science ResearchBasicscienceresearchisconductedtoincreaseunderstanding of the physical, chemical, and functional mechanismsoflifeprocessesanddiseases.

Translational ResearchTranslationalresearchistheprocessofapplyingideas,insights,anddiscoveriesgeneratedthroughbasicscientificinquirytothetreatmentorpreventionofdiseases.

Applied ResearchAppliedresearchisdirectedtowardspecificobjectives,suchasthedevelopmentofanewdrug,therapy, ortherapeuticprocedure.Itinvolvestheapplication ofexistingknowledgetoaspecificmedicalproblem.Applied research can be conducted with animals or non-animalalternatives,suchascomputermodelsortissuecultures.

Examplesofeligiblefieldsofresearchincludethefollowing:

BiochemistryBioinformaticsBiomedicalengineeringBiophysicsBiostatisticsCellbiologyDevelopmentalbiologyEpidemiologyGeneticsImmunology

Mathematical and computational biologyMicrobiology Molecular biology Neuroscience Pharmacology Physiology Structural biology Virology

Applicants to the Medical Research Fellows Program atJaneliaorK-RITHshouldreviewtheresearchunderwayattherespectivesitestodetermineif the projects being pursued meet their interests: www.janelia.org/janelia-research/labs or http:// www.k-rith.org/scientists-research/investigators.


RESEARCH MENTOR AND RESEARCH PLAN

TheapplicantisresponsibleforselectingaresearchmentoratanacademicornonprofitresearchinstitutionintheUnitedStatesandformakingarrangementstoworkinthatperson’slaboratory.HHMIwillnotmakethesearrangements.Thedesignatedmentormustbethefacultymemberwhowilldirectlysupervisetheproposedresearch.A mentor may have no more than two applicants in any one competition year. An applicantmayhaveaco-mentorifherorhisresearchplancrossesareasofexpertise,orifaco-mentorwouldstrengthentheresearchtrainingexperience.Selection of a mentor is a key step in the application process and a particularly important element in evaluation of the application by the review panel.

Inselectingamentor,theapplicantshouldseekascientist who has recent publications in the area of research,experienceintheresearchtechniquestobeused,externalgrantsupportfromNIHorothermajoragencies,theabilitytoprovidefinancialresourcestosupport the research project during the fellowship term, thetimeandinteresttotraintheapplicant,atrackrecord of mentorship, and a strong, stimulating researchenvironmentinthedepartment.TheproposedmentordoesnothavetobeanHHMIinvestigator.Applicantsareencouragedtoconsultwithseveralindividuals,includingdeans,seniorfaculty,andmembersofthelaboratoryunderconsideration,beforemakingafinalchoiceofmentor.(See“ApplicationTips,”page10.)

Theresearchplanshouldbesuitableforaoneyearresearch-trainingperiod.It is extremely important that the project provide a rigorous, high-quality research training experience doing hypothesis/discovery-based research, and not technician-type work.Theprojectshouldaskaspecificandsubstantivequestionaboutbasic biological processes or disease mechanisms, diagnosisortreatment.Ingeneral,applicantsshouldavoidlimitingtheprojecttoworkingoutdetailsofalaboratorytechnique.Inaddition,theyshouldavoidprojectsthatinvolveasingleprotocolforthefellowshiptermwithnoopportunitytodeviseexperimentsbasedondatafrominitialexperiments.(See“ApplicationTips,”page10.)Extensivediscussionbetweentheapplicantandtheproposedmentorisexpectedinorder to identify an appropriate research project—one thatisup-to-date,instructive,andfeasibleinaone-yearfellowshipperiod—andtocrafttheresearchplan.Itwillbe assumed that the applicant has written the plan afterdiscussionwiththementor.

In past years reviewers have found that some applications did not reflect an appropriate level of interaction with the mentor prior to submitting the application. Applicantsshouldallowsufficienttimetodeveloptheresearchplanfullyandtomakeevidentthequalityoftheexpectedworkingrelationship.Applicants to the Medical Research Fellows Program atJaneliaorK-RITHwillbematchedwithamentoriftheirapplicationprogressespasttheinterviewstage.Seefurtherdetailsonthetwo-stepapplicationprocessforJaneliaorK-RITHonpage10.

LOCATION OF STUDY

FellowsmustchooseanacademicornonprofitresearchinstitutionintheUnitedStates(excludingNIHorotherfederalagencies)astheirfellowshipinstitution.ResearchmaybeconductedataninstitutionoutsidetheUnitedStatesaslongasthefellow’smentorisaffiliatedwiththeU.S.fellowshipinstitution(onfaculty).Thefellowshipinstitutionneednotbethestudent’smedical,dental,orveterinaryschool.Fellowsareresponsibleformakingallarrangementsforattendanceattheirchoseninstitution.

A fellow may engage in research away from the fellowshipinstitution(includinganon-U.S.researchinstitution)duringthefellowshiptermif,intheresearchmentor’sjudgment,suchanarrangementwouldfurtherthefellow’straining.

Awardees of the Medical Research Fellows Program atJaneliawillworkandliveattheJaneliaResearchCampusinAshburn,Virginia.StudentsselectedfortheMedicalResearchFellowsProgramatK-RITHwillworkandliveinDurban,SouthAfricaforthefellowshipyear.

FELLOWSHIP TERM

ThefellowshiptermmaybeginnoearlierthanMay1,2016,andnolaterthanSeptember1,2016.Thetermofthefellowshipis12consecutivemonths.

Fellowsmustengageinresearchfull-timeduringthefellowshipterm.Fellowsmaynotundertakemedical,dental,orveterinaryschoolcoursework,aclerkship,oranygraduateschoolcoursework,withtheexceptionofone graduate course per semester that is directly relatedtothefellow’sHHMIresearchproject,withapprovalinadvancefromHHMI.Studentsmayreceiveacademiccreditfortheirresearch.Theymaynottaketimeofftostudyforboardsorotherexaminations.


STIPEND AND ALLOWANCES

For the 2016–2017 fellowship year, the total amount awardedtoeachMedicalFellowis$41,000.HHMIwillprovidethefundstothefellowshipinstitution,whichinturnwillpaythefellow.Theannualstipendis$30,000.Inadditiontothestipend,theawardincludesafellow’sallowanceof$5,500andaresearchallowanceof$5,500.

Therearenoallowancesfordependents.Ifthestudentbegins the fellowship term prior to the HHMI payment dateinearlyJune,itishis/herresponsibilitytoarrangefor temporary funding by the fellowship institution until theHHMIfundsarereceivedandtheawardisset-up.

Theresearchallowanceisforresearch-relatedenrichmentactivitiesthatdirectlybenefitthefellow,includingtraveltoscientificconferences,MedicalFellowsProgramregionalmeetings,HHMIsciencemeetings;lodging,registrationandout-of-pocketcostsfortheScientificMeetingofMedicalFellowsinApril;andforsomeofthefellow’sresearch-relatedexpenses,ifthereis a balance remaining after all of the aforementioned travel-relatedexpenseshavebeencovered.

Thefirstpriorityforuseoffellow’sallowanceishealth,dental,andvisioninsuranceforthefellow.Theallowancemayalsobeusedforrequirededucation-relatedfeesincurredaspartofthefellowship.Itisnotpermissible to use any funds in the award for tuition or registration fees toward any professional degree, excepttotheextentthatstudentsarerequiredtomaintain their matriculation at their medical, dental, or veterinaryschool.Itispermissibletousethefellow’sallowance for tuition and registration fees within the fellowship term for one graduate course per semester specificallyrelatedtothefellow’sresearch,withadvanceapprovalfromHHMI.Ifthefellowisconduct-ing research at an institution that is not his or her medical,dental,orveterinaryschool,thefellow’sallowancemaybeusedtocoverreasonabletravelandmovingexpensestoandfromthefellowshipinstitutionuptoamaximumof$1,500roundtrip.FellowsarerequiredtocomplywithHHMIrelocationguidelinesandtosubmitanestimationofmovingexpensestoHHMIinadvanceofrelocation.

Indirectcosts(F&A)arenotprovidedwiththisaward.Federal,state,orlocalfringebenefitratesandemployer-relatedcostssuchasFICAandMedicare(employer’sportion),worker’scompensation,unemployment insurance, and similar costs cannot bechargedtothisaward.Visitingstudentresearcherfees or other costs for fellows conducting research at

an institution other than their own school may not be chargedtothisaward.Afellowmaynotsupplementthestipendthroughprivateemploymentorconsultingworkorreceivefundsfromanotherexternalfellowship,scholarship,orsimilaraward.However,thefellow’sinstitution may supplement the stipend in accordance withitsusualpolicyforcomparablestudents.

HHMI funds may not be used for the purchase of electronicdevicesorsoftware,includingcomputers,computerequipment,cameraorvideoequipment,cellphones,PDAs,MP3players,e-readers,oranyrelatedaccessories.

At the end of their fellowship year, fellows may use balancesremaininginthefellow’sorresearchallowanceaccounts for continuation of the research conducted duringtheirHHMIfellowshipyear,attendanceatscientificconferences if they are presenting their HHMI research, and publications costs related to their HHMI project, if any, as long as they are matriculated in medical, dental,orveterinaryschool.Thefellowshipinstitutionmustmakeeveryattempttomakethesefundsavailabletothefellowwhiletheyarestillmatriculated.

MedicalResearchFellowsatJaneliawillreceiveanannual salary of $30,000 as employees of the Janelia ResearchCampusfortheirresearchyear.Theywillbeexpectedtoliveon-campusinfurnishedhousingandwillbeprovidedwithhealthinsuranceanda$5,500allowanceforconferencetravel,andrelatedcoursesandbooks.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Fellowshipsareawardedonthebasisoftheapplicant’sabilityandpromiseforaresearchcareerasaphysician-scientist,andthequalityofthetrainingthatwillbeprovided.Theapplicant’sabilityandpromiseareassessed through the personal statement, the proposed researchplan,andlettersofreference.Thequalityofthetrainingisevaluatedthroughtheresearchplanandtheinformationprovidedinthementor’sendorse-ment,includingthementor’scurriculumvitae,alistofcurrentfunding,alistoftrainees,andanindividualizedtrainingplanfortheapplicant.

Applicationswillbereviewedbyacommitteeofdistin-guishedbiomedicalscientists.Thecommitteewillevaluateeachapplicant’sdemonstratedscholarshipandpromiseforfutureachievementinbiomedicalresearch.

Thecommitteewillalsoconsidertheappropriatenessof the designated mentor and the research project for trainingintheproposedareaofresearch,thequalityofthetrainingenvironment,andthementor’sstatedplans


fortrainingtheapplicant.Thereviewcommitteewillevaluatetheimpactoftheresearchexperienceandhowitwouldfurthertheapplicant’sdevelopmentinrelationtothelevelofanypreviousresearchexperience.

ThefinalselectionofawardeeswillbemadebyHHMI,takingintoaccounttheevaluationsofthereviewcommitteeandtheprogramgoals.Duetothelargenumberofapplicationstothisprogram,individualfeedbackisnotfeasible.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

Appointment of a fellow is contingent on satisfactory completion of the academic year in which the fellow-shipapplicationwassubmitted,andonthestudent’sacademicstatusasastudentingoodstanding.

Fellowswillberequiredtoengageinresearchfull-timeandmaynotundertakeanymedical,dental,orveterinaryschoolcoursework,aclerkship,oranygraduateschoolcourseworkduringthefellowshipterm,withtheexceptionofonegraduatecoursepersemesterthatisdirectlyrelatedtothefellow’sHHMIresearchproject,withapprovalinadvancefromHHMI.Duringthatyear,fellowsmaynotbeenrolled inaPhDoranScDprogram.

After an award has been made, a change of fellowship institution or mentor or a major change in the research planrequiresHHMIapprovalforcontinuationof thefellowship.

Fellowsareexpectedtoconductresearchaccordingtothehighestscientificandethicalstandardsandincompliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies regarding protection of human research subjects, humane care and use of laboratory animals, andlaboratorysafety.Fellowsareresponsiblefortheconduct of research and the preparation of research results for publication within the established guidelines oftheirfellowshipinstitutions.HHMIassumesnoresponsibilityforafellow’sresearchfindingsortheirinterpretation.

2016 SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF MEDICAL FELLOWS

AllcurrentmedicalfellowsarerequiredtoparticipateintheScientificMeetingofMedicalFellows,whichwillbeheldinconjunctionwiththeAmericanSocietyofClinicalInvestigation(ASCI)-AssociationofAmericanPhysicians(AAP)JointMeetinginChicago.FellowswillpresentaposterontheirfellowshipresearchprojecttoASCImembers,hearscientifictalksbyleadingphysician-scientists,andattendcareerdevelopmentsessions.

AllfellowshipsaresubjecttofurtherprovisionscontainedinthebookletInformationforMedicalStudentFellowsandFellowshipInstitutions(whichwillbee-mailedtoawardees)andanyfurtherdocumentationprovidedbyHHMI.

APPLICATION PROCESS

ApplicationisviaHHMI’sWeb-basedcompetitionsystem at www.hhmi.org/competitions.Submissionof all applicant, mentor, dean, and reference forms mustbeviatheWeb.

A complete application has three sections.

Section 1:Theapplicant’sportion

•Registration

•Application

•ContactInformation

•Dean’sContactInformation

• References’ContactInformation

•Mentor’sContactInformation

•ConfidentialInformation

•HHMIAffiliations

• Education

• Demographicinformation(optional)

• ResearchExperience

• ProfessionalActivities

• Honors and Awards

• Publications (if any)

• Personal Statement (should not exceed one single-spaced page)

• ProjectTitle(should not exceed 255 characters, including spaces and punctuation)

• Research Plan Summary (should not exceed 1,600 characters including spaces and punctuation, or approximately one-third of a single-spaced page)

• Research Project Plan (should not exceed four single-spaced pages)

• ResearchProjectPlanCitations(should not exceed one single-spaced page)

InadditiontotheWeb-basedsubmissionabove, theapplicantisresponsibleforprovidingthementor,co-mentor(ifapplicable),dean,andreferenceswiththe information necessary for them to submit the requiredlettersandotherinformation.

AftertheapplicantregistersandinitiatestheWeb-basedapplication, he or she will be able to submit the names andcontactinformationforthementor,co-mentor (ifapplicable),dean,andreferences.


Oncethenameshavebeensubmitted,e-mailsgener-atedbytheWeb-basedsystemwillprovidethemwithlogininstructions.It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that the mentor (co-mentor, if appli-cable), dean, and references have provided all required information by the application deadline.

Section 2: Thementor’scomponents(andco-mentor’s,ifapplicable)

•Contact Information

•Training Record — completion of a table indicating his/herexperiencesupervisingthetrainingofindividualsinbiomedicalresearchbyenteringthenumberoftraineesbyeducationallevel

•Trainee Outcome — report the career outcomes of upto6representativetrainees:3mostrecentand3mostillustrious(name,currentinstitution,position,trainingstartandenddates[month/year])

•CV or NIH Biosketch — uploadnottoexceed 4 pages

•Grant Data — upload a list of current grants, nottoexceed4pages,includingsource(s),title(s),andannualdirectcosts.MayusethesupplementalgrantinformationpageorOtherSupportpageincludedintheNIHgrantapplications.

•Applicant Assessment — assessment of the applicant’spotentialforacareerasaphysician-scientist,asevidencedfrommentor’sinteractionwithhimorher.Lettershouldbenolongerthan 1.5pagesinlength.

Comment on:

• qualityoftheapplicant’sacademicpreparationforresearchandscientificbackground

• applicant’sintellectualandresearchabilitiesincluding perception of his or her originality, accuracy, and enthusiasm for the project

• relativecontributionsmentorandapplicanthavemadeinthedevelopmentandwritingoftheresearch plan

•Training Plan — describe plans for the research training of this particular student and the research environmentinthementor’slaboratory.Uploadshouldnotexceed2pages.Individualizedtrainingplanisveryimportantintheoverallevaluationoftheapplication.

Address:

• howmentorwillbeinvolvedintrainingthestudentontheproposedprojectandadvisinghim/heroncareerdevelopment

•whowillguidetheapplicantonday-to-daytechnical issues

• how the composition, size and structure of thementor’sresearchgroupwilladvancethestudent’ssuccessandresearchdevelopment

• what formal and informal seminars, laboratory meetings,journalclubs,etc.willbeusedtoenrichthestudent’sscientificdevelopment

• theadequacyoffinancialandphysicalresources,including computer resources, to support the proposedprojectduringtheentirefellowshipterm.HHMIdoesnotprovidesupportforcomputerequipment,softwareorrelatedaccessories.

Webaccessforthementorwillbeinitiatedbytheapplicant(seeSection1above).

Section 3: Dean’sconfirmationandlettersofreference

•Dean’s confirmation.Byansweringquestionsintheonlineapplication,thedean(maybeastudentaffairsdean,advisorydean,etc.)mustindicatethatthe student will be allowed to participate in the program, if selected.Insteadofsubmittingadean’sletter,thedeanwillbeprovidedwithatextboxtocommentontheapplicant’suniquecharacteristics,qualifications,experiences,accomplishmentsorresearchintereststhatpertaintotheapplication.Commentsarelimitedto2,500charactersincludingspaces.

•Two letters of referencefrompersons(otherthanthementororco-mentoronthisapplicationordean)whoarefamiliarwiththeapplicant’stalents,abilities,andpreviousresearchexperience,ifany.

Referee should discuss:

• applicant’sabilitytoconductresearch,masterknowledgerequired,andthinkindependently

• applicant’spotentialforacareerinbiomedicalresearch

•how applicant compares with others at the same stage

• student’squalifications,indicatingthestudent’sacademic and intellectual abilities including his or heroriginality/creativity,accuracy,researchability,scientificbackground,abilitytoexchangeideas,perseveranceinpursuinggoals,andabilitytorelatetoothers.

Webaccessforthedeanandreferenceswillbeinitiatedbytheapplicant(seeSection1above).


APPLICATION TO THE MEDICAL RESEARCH FELLOWS PROGRAM AT JANELIA AND K-RITH

Applicantsshouldnotethatthetimelineandrequire-mentsdifferfortheJaneliaandK-RITHprogramoptions as follows:

Two-step application process:

1) TheprescreeningapplicationisduebyNovember2followedbyin-personinterviewsforselectedcandidatesatJaneliaorviaSkypeforK-RITHinearlyDecember.

2) ApplicantsprogressingafterinterviewswillbematchedwithaJaneliaorK-RITHmentor,developa research proposal with that mentor, and complete the remainder of the Medical Research Fellows ProgramapplicationbyJanuary11.

All application components must be submitted online in the HHMI Competition System.

The prescreening application includes:

•ContactInformation

• References’ContactInformation

• Education

• ResearchInterestsandExperience(should not exceed five single-spaced pages)

• ResearchExperience

• ProfessionalActivities

•HonorsandAwards

• Publications(if any)

Two reference letters are to be submitted online directly by referees by November 2 (see reference letter information on p. 12).

Applicants that advance after the prescreening stage will complete the remainder of the Medical Research Fellows Program application components by January 11:

•Dean’sContactInformation

•Mentor’sContactInformation

•ConfidentialInformation

•HHMIAffiliations

• PersonalStatement(should not exceed one single-spaced page)

• ProjectTitle (should not exceed 255 characters, including spaces and punctuation)

• ResearchPlanSummary(should not exceed 1,600 characters including spaces and punctuation, or approximately one-third of a single-spaced page)

• ResearchProjectPlan (should not exceed four single-spaced pages)

• ResearchProjectPlanCitations(should not exceed one single-spaced page)

The dean’s confirmation and mentor’s components, described in Sections 2 and 3, above, are to be submitted online directly by those third parties by January 11.

The two reference letters submitted for the pre-screening application will be used for the remainder of the Medical Research Fellows Program application.

APPLICATION AND AWARD DATES

All components of the application must be submitted online by January 11, 2016, to be considered in the fellowshipcompetition.Applicantsshouldretaincopiesoftheapplicationmaterialstheyhavecompletedandsubmittedonline.Applicationmaterialswillnotbereturned.Evaluations of the review committee will not be made available to the applicant. HHMI will notify applicants by e-mailoftheoutcomeoftheirapplicationsonMarch18,2016.AwardeesmustnotifyHHMIbyMarch25,2016oftheirintenttoacceptordeclinetheaward.

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR A SECOND YEAR

In the spring of the initial year of research training, fellows may apply for continued fellowship support for asecondyearoffull-timeresearch.Thesecond-yearfellowshipprovidesthesameleveloffunding(stipend,researchallowanceandfellow’sallowance)asthefirstyearfellows.Onlyasmallnumberofthesefellowshipswillbeawarded.Theyaremadeonlywhenasecondyearofresearchtrainingwillsignificantlyfurthertheresearchexperienceofthefellow.Fellowswhowillbeenrolledinacombinedprofessionaldegree/PhDorPhDprogramarenoteligibletoapply.

APPLICATION TIPS

Online Application

•ObservetheJanuary11,2016,submissiondeadline.

• Proofreadcarefully;donotrelyonspellcheck.

• Readandfollowtheinstructions.

• Followtheguidelinesfornumberofpages.Bebriefwhensorequested.

•HHMIwillobtainyourAMCASfiledirectlyfromAAMC.IfyoudonothavethisinformationonfilewiththeAAMC,youmustrequesttranscriptsfromyourundergraduateinstitution(s),andyouwillneedtorequestthatyourDATorGREscoresbesentdirectlytoHHMI.

• Beforesubmittingyourapplicationonline,saveacopyforyourrecords.


Research Experience

• Previouslaboratoryresearchexperienceisrequired(oneormoresubstantialresearchexperiences;e.g.,summerorpart-timeresearchexperience).

• Presentthetopicofyourresearchinawaythatmakesclearwhyitisofinterest.Besuretoplaceyourworkinthecontextoftherelevantscientificfield.

• Donotfocusontechniques.Emphasizethescientificquestionyouaddressed,thegeneralapproachyoutook,andyourfindingsandconclusions.

•Clearlydescribethecontributionsyoumadeinthelaboratory.

• Itisimportanttoincludeasummaryofwhatyouaccomplishedineachresearchexperience.

Selecting A Mentor

• Yourchoiceinmentorscansignificantlyaffecttheoutcomeofyourapplication.

• Yourmentorshouldbewell-fundedandhaverecentpublicationsinyourproposedresearcharea.UsePubMed(www.pubmed.gov)tolookupapotentialmentor’spublicationrecordandNIHProjectReportertolookupgrants(http://projectreporter.nih.gov).

• Deans,chairpersons,andcoursedirectorsareexcellentresourcesforidentifyingpotentialmentors.Theycanhelpguideyoutoproductivelaboratorieswithinterestandexperienceintrainingmedical,dental,orveterinarystudents.

YouareencouragedtoconsiderlaboratoriesofHHMIinvestigators,earlycareerscientists,HHMIprofessors,andJaneliaresearchers.

AlistofinvestigatorsinterestedinmentoringMedicalResearch Fellows can be found at www.hhmi.org/medfellowships.

• Talkwithseveralpossiblementors.Confirmthatthementorsunderconsiderationhaverecentpublica-tions,sustainedexternalgrantsupport,astrongrecordtrainingmedical,dental,orveterinarystudents,andthetimeandinteresttotrainyou.

• Talkwithothermedical,dental,orveterinarystudents,graduatestudents,andpost-doctoralresearcherswhohavebeeninthelaboratoryyouareconsidering.Confirmthatthelaboratoryisareasonableworkingenvironmentandthatthementorislikelytospendsignificanttimewithyou.

• Aco-mentorshouldbeaddedtotheapplicationiftheresearchprojectplanisnotwithinthementor’sareaofexpertiseoriftheprimarymentorisajuniorfaculty member with limited grant support and traininghistory.

Research Plan

• Yourprojectshouldbehypothesis/discovery-based —thatis,youshouldaskaspecificandsubstantivequestionaboutbiologicalprocessesordisease mechanisms, diagnosis or treatment that canbetestedexperimentally.

• Avoidaplanthatistoodescriptive.Weareinter-estedininnovative,well-groundedideasthatareintellectuallychallenging.

• Emphasizethescientificand,ifpossible,themedicalimportanceofthequestionandtheexperimentalapproachyouplantotake.

• Explainwhytheexperimentalmodelwasselectedforstudyofthequestionproposed.

• Includedetailsondataanalysis,quantitationmethods,ifapplicable,andoveralldesignofexperiments.Aproposedtimelinefortheexperimentswouldbehelpful.

•Makesurereagentsorequipmentthatisvitaltotheresearcharereadilyavailableandaccessible.

• Anticipatepotentialproblemsintheresearchandpresentalternativestrategies.

• Itisbeneficialtoincludeadiscussionondataanalysisandinterpretationofresults.

• Discusstheunderlyingmechanismsofproposedmodels,ifapplicable.

• Yourresearchprojectplanshouldbedevelopedincollaboration with your mentor but written by you andreviewedbyyourmentorbeforesubmission.

• Reviewerswanttoreadyourpresentationoftheissuesandapproaches,anditisusuallyobviouswhenpartsoftheplanaretakendirectlyfromagrantproposal.

• Allowtimefordiscussionwithyourmentorandforfeedbackonyourdrafts.Haveanotherscientist(afacultymember,researchadvisor,oradean)readandcritiqueyourprojectplan.Askthementorandtheotherreviewertoconsidernotonlytechnicalaspectsbutalsothefeasibilityoftheproject.Isitsuitableforaone-yearexperience?Isitagoodtrainingvehicle?Makesureit’snotjustatechnicalexercise.

• Besuretospecifyyourroleandthatofyourmentor(andothers)inthedevelopmentoftheplan.


Personal Statement

• Statewhyyouareinterestedinlaboratoryresearchandhowitmightimpactyourcareer.Whatdoyouwant to accomplish through the HHMI Medical Fellowexperience?Whatdiscoveries—bothscientificandpersonal—doyouhopetomake? Weareinterestedinunderstandingyourmotivationsfordoingresearchandhowtheproposedexperiencewillcontributetoyourfuturecareer.

• Ifyouhavelimitedresearchexperience,explainwhat led you to the fellowship program and what youhopetogetoutoftheresearchexperience.

• Ifyouhavecompletedoneyearormoreoffull-timeresearch,explainhowanadditionalfull-timeresearchexperienceatthistimewouldenhanceyourfutureresearchcareer,howyouwouldbenefit,andwhatyouhopetolearnfromtheexperience.

• Itisinyourbestinteresttosubmitastatementthatis distinct from the one you submitted for your medical,dental,orveterinaryschoolapplication.

• Ifyouareinyourfinalyearofmedical,dentalorveterinaryschool,commentonwhyyouwaiteduntilthis year to apply, whether you will participate in residencyinterviewsduringyourproposedresearchyear,andhowyouwillmake-upforthetimeawayfromlab(e.g.,byextendingyourfellowshipterm).

Reference Letters

• Provideyourreferenceswitharésuméofyoureducationandresearchexperience.Itmayalsobehelpfultoprovideacopyofyourresearchplan.

• Ifyouhavehadasignificantresearchexperiencebutchoose not to submit a reference letter from your supervisor,explainwhy(inthePersonalStatement).Reviewersmayquestionwhyitisabsent.

• Someapplicantsrequestlettersfromprominentscientistswhodonotknowthemwell.Generallettersofthistypearenoteffective.Requestlettersfromindividualswhocanevaluateyourpotentialasascientist.

• Ifatallpossible,avoidusinga“filecopy”ofan oldreferenceletter.Ifyoumustdoso,explainwhy(inthePersonalStatement).

APPLICATION TIPS FOR THE MEDICAL RESEARCH FELLOWS PROGRAM AT JANELIA AND K-RITH

Prescreening Application:Research Interests and Experience.Describeindetailyourspecificresearchinterests,andtheirrelevancetotheresearchfocusarea(s)youwouldbeinterestedinpursuingatJaneliaorK-RITH(reviewtheLaboratoriesatJaneliaorK-RITHhttp://www.janelia.org/ janelia-research/labs or http://www.k-rith.org/ scientists-research/investigators).Discusswhyyourresearchinterestandexperience,skills,scientific/technicalexpertise,etc.wouldmakeyouanexcellentcandidatefortheprogramatJaneliaorK-RITH.

Standard Medical Research Fellows Program Application:

Medical Research Fellows Program at Janelia and K-RITHapplicantsshouldhaveamentorandprojectinmindatanotherfellowshipinstitutionintheeventtheir prescreening application does not progress in the JaneliaorK-RITHcompetition.Thosenotprogressingpasttheinterviewstagearestronglyencouragedtocomplete the standard Medical Research Fellows Program application with a mentor at another fellowship institutionbyJanuary11.

INFORMATION Please contact us if you have questions or need additional information.

Medical Research Fellows Program UndergraduateandGraduatePrograms4000JonesBridgeRoadChevyChase,MD20815Phone:(301)951-6708E-mail:[email protected]:www.hhmi.org/medfellowships

Department of Science Education

Documents

Medical Research Fellows Program - HHMI.org · 2015-08-20 · 5 Medical Research Fellows Program | 2016 PROGRAM INFORMATION Fellowship Support for Research Training ELIGIBILITY Applicants