About the MSSRP

The College of Medicine sponsors a summer research program allowing medical students from any U.S. medical school to experience laboratory research firsthand. 

Students who have completed their first year of medical school spend up to 9-10 weeks conducting research and analyzing data in the clinical and basic science research laboratories of established faculty investigators.

The program is designed to expose students to the methods and techniques used in biomedical research. 

Because this grant is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), preference will be given to mentors funded by these disciplines.

Students can identify faculty mentors using the following resources:

• Identifying a research mentor provides medical students with additional information on potential faculty mentors based on areas of interest. Individual faculty pictures can then be highlighted to provide additional details, including contact information.
• The UC Research Directory allows users to enter keywords or search for UC experts based on last name, grant funding, or type to studies conducted.

The Medical Scientist Training Program also maintains list of UCCOM/CCHMC faculty and their research projects.

Medical students can also identify researchers with active research support through NIH Reporter using Cincinnati as the search term in the "City" field.  This approach only identifies researchers with active NIH research support and does not include non-US government, foundation, private, or industry-sponsored grants or funding.

To apply, the student submits a research proposal describing the specific project through the CommonApp. UC / non-UC students use the same application site. These are evaluated by a College of Medicine committee and up to 12 are chosen for funding. Successful applicants receive a stipend up to $6,786 with an additional supply amount of $500. 

Early in the summer, each awardee presents a 10-minute description of his/her project. In the fall, participants present their final results at the Annual Medical Student Research Forum. Two first-place winners are selected to represent the college at the National Student Research Forum in Galveston, Texas, in April of the following year. 

In addition to this program, there are many other opportunities for pursuing summer research.