Students need to be MS1s in good standing at the time of submission and acceptance to an MSSRP. Students in a combined MD-PhD program are not eligible for support through these funding mechanisms. Students holding PhD degrees or research-based MS degrees in the health sciences, or those already matriculated in formal programs leading to a PhD or research-based MS degree are not necessarily disqualified. Please contact Randy L Seay (rseay@uab.edu or 934-4092) with any questions.
Applicants must be citizens of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residency.

1. Select a faculty sponsor: Contact faculty members who are working in areas in which you may have an interest.
• NOTE: MSSRPs preferentially only funds one student/mentor per research project.
• If you want to search by keyword or research interest: https://scholars.uab.edu/
• Your selection of a faculty mentor is not limited.
2. With your mentor, outline a research project. If you would like help in choosing an area of work or help with selecting a sponsor, please contact Randy L Seay (rseay@uab.edu, 934-4092) as soon as possible.
3. Complete the online application.

• Your resume
• Your Project Proposal - a three to five page summary of the project indicating research interests and career goals, research project description (introduction, project objectives and hypothesis, methods/approach) and literature cited.

• Research Interests and Career Goals (limited to 1 page)
• What type of research are you interested in
• What are your ultimate career goals (How does research fit in with these career goals)
• Research Project Description (1-3 pages)
• Introduction (Background information relevant to your project)
• Project Objectives and Hypothesis
• Methods/Approach
• Literature Cited (3-10 relevant papers)

Basic Research: generates new ideas, principles, and theories, which forms the basis of progress and development in different fields.

Clinical Research: studies the safety and effectiveness (efficacy) of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use.

Translational Research: applies discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans and enhances the adoption of best practices in the community.

Educational Research: evaluates different aspects of education.

Chart Review Research: includes pre-recorded, patient-centered data used to answer one or more research questions.

Community Based Research: generates social action and positive social change through the use of multiple knowledge sources and research methods within the community.

Public Health/Epidemiology Research: studies the health in populations to understand the causes and patterns of health and illness.

Outcomes Research: studies the end results (outcomes) of the structure and processes of the health care system on the health and well-being of patients and populations.


*Case reports are not considered projects that require 8 weeks of research and are not typically eligible for funding. It is recommended that you check with your mentor for additional division/department funding opportunities that may be available.

IRB Approval: If the project you select involves research with human subjects you must enter the project’s IRB protocol approval numbers in the online application. Your mentor will have this protocol number. For additional resources on IRB visit: www.uab.edu/irb

IACUC Approval: If the project you select involves research with animal subjects you must enter the project’s IACUC protocol approval numbers in the online application. Your mentor will have this protocol number. For additional resources on IACUC visit: www.uab.edu/iacuc

IRB/IACUC Training (Humans/Animals): Complete the required IRB/IACUC online training; then print and email your Learning System transcript to physci@uab.edu Discuss this with your mentor so you will know which courses to take.

The Tip Sheet for Students Involved in Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects & Safety (EH&S) gives additional information and lists applicable website information.

EH&S (Laboratory Safety): If your project involves working with humans or animals check with your mentor to see whether you must submit the Occupational Medicine Enrollment Form to UAB’s Environmental Health and Safety department (EH&S). You are required to enroll if you have these work exposures: https://www.uab.edu/ehs/occupational-medicine/occupational-medicine-eligibility

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is a requirement for any UASOM student who conduct research at UAB. Successful completion of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiatives (CITI) online "RCR Abbreviate Course for Undergraduates" is a component of all MSSRPs. You can access the RCR Modules here: CITI RCR Modules

*IRB, IACUC Approvals/Training and RCR Training must be complete by May 1, 2020, or your award will not be activated.

Per NIH Guidelines for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Service Short-Term Institution, trainees are required to pursue research training for 2-3 months on a full-time basis, devoting at least 35-40 hours per week to the program. Failure to devote a minimum of 8 weeks to the program will jeopardize your full-time research agreement.

Funding Period(s): Summer Research Training begins June 3, 2024

• June 3 - July 26, 2024 (8-weeks)
• June 3 - July 19, 2024 (7-weeks + Orientation Leader)

Trainees must devote full-time participation to the project. Current NIH training grant stipends are set at the current NIH predoctoral stipend level; this amount is then prorated depending on the selected appointment period and funding cycles. A minimum of 8 weeks of full-time research is required for all students.

Please note: no course credit can be accrued while you are being paid from the training grant.

All student participants in the Medical Student Summer Research Pathways are strongly encouraged to present the results of their research projects at a local, national, or international scientific meeting. Sponsored medical students are required to present their poster at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Medical Student Research Day (MSRD) Competition held in the Fall.

Summer training should be planned with the goal that the results of the student work will eventually be submitted for publication with the student listed as a co-author. The presentation and publication of student research results is an important aspect of the summer training experience.

Once you complete and submit the online application, you will receive a confirmation email.
Your mentor will then receive an email request to complete the mentor section of the application; once both are received, the application will be sent to the Admissions Committee program(s) for review.

Awards will be made on a rolling basis.

Student Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 2024.

*The 11:59PM. deadline applies to receipt of the student portion of the application. All applications received by the deadline are eligible for review for summer research funding. The mentor portion of the application can be received after the March 31, 2024 deadline; however, it should be noted that applications are considered incomplete (and will therefore not be reviewed) until the mentor has submitted their portion of the application.