Thank you for your interest in our program. The experience you will gain from this program will be a valuable addition to your academic coursework, and we are thrilled to share this experience with you.

Applications are now open for Summer 2024. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2024. The link to the application can be found here: https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=XJXPY8RFN37F7FK3

Some highlights and expectations of the program are:

• A 7-week, full-time assignment based on the project proposal in your application.
• Develop a timeline with your mentor to complete your project within 7 weeks.
• Meet institutional requirements for research training and safety, including but not limited to: Human Subject Protections (in addition to that which will be fulfilled at your institution before placement with a mentor), Animal Care and Use, HIPAA. 
• Provide a written summary which may include clinical, basic, translational abstracts or manuscripts.
• Remotely meet twice weekly during the 7-week period with Dr. Michael DeBaun, to participate in a small pediatric and medicine journal club. This may occur outside of the workweek.

This scholarship requires 7 weeks of work from May 28, 2024, to June 23, 2024, and you must be in good academic standing with Meharry Medical College. You will receive a $6,216 stipend for completion of the 7-week window.

Each mentor or their designee is expected to:

• Meet weekly and review your written progress and feedback about the program.
• Evaluate your performance, progress, and research project, which will contribute to the final grade (as per the School of Medicine requirements).
• Submit the students' evaluation upon completion of the training period (a link to a secured REDCap database will be provided).

Our goal is to expose you to the benefits of delivering the best possible medical care for children and adults and advancing the care for the next generation. We hope this experience will further your passion for a career in academic medicine in the fields of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Surgery. We hope the scholarship will pique your interest in pursuing a one-year pull-out research program while a medical student at Vanderbilt University Medical Center or elsewhere.

Please note that our onboarding process includes Occupational Health clearance, including a two-step TB test and the first and second dose of the COVID vaccine plus one COVID booster. This piece of the onboarding process is required and may prevent you from beginning the program if not completed before the program start date.

For more information, please contact Jenny Beck, Program Manager, at jennifer.c.beck@vumc.org or Dr. Michael DeBaun at m.debaun@vumc.org.