Gap Year Opportunities

for Research:
At UCSF and Beyond
Disclaimer
Some dates may be pending

Please confirm with respective websites for
final details, particularly for external
programs
Outline
Benefits of a year-long program
Home and Away programs
Reasons to apply for internal and external
funding
Intramural and Extramural opportunities
explained
RAPtr intramural application process
Next steps for you!
Definitions
Extramural
(External)

Away

Fellowship Program
Intramural
(Internal)

Home

Funding Source
Benefits of a Year Long Program
Important career stepping stone
Most progress happens in last half of a year-
long program (exponential learning curve)
A structured program provides oversight, and
often didactics, peer support, and organized
mentorship
Funding is typically through a one-time
application
Many programs have continuing alumni support
Home Programs
Apply through UCSF RAPtr website
(single yearlong application for the below funders)
o Deans Can be international
o PROF-PATH URM and Health Disparities
o Phillip R Lee Health Policy and Populations
o Linker Hematology/Oncology
o TL1 Clinical/Translational

Apply through Howard Hughes Medical Inst.
o HHMI Molecular Medicine/Basic


Away Programs
Doris Dukethis program is like a hybridaway in Africa
and non-UCSF schools*
NIH Medical Research Scholar Program
HHMI
Sarnoff (Cardiovascular)
Fogarty (International)
Other opportunities (AHA, ADA, ASN,....)

* UCSF, Duke, Harvard, U Minnesota, Yale and UNC
Reasons to Apply to Internal and
External Programs
Putting more lines in the bucket increases the chances of
catching more fish
Applications are similar in structure & deadlines
Some external funding is greater and has more benefits,
including national recognition
UCSF has a very good track record for students receiving
national awards
External funding allows more UCSF students to receive
internal funding
Internal funding has gotten more competitive not all
intramural applications get funded!
Intramural Funding Benefits
Approx. $26,000 stipend (varies each year)
Health insurance if needed
Additional funds to support research and travel
during the fellowship year (depending on the
funding source)
Enrollment in a Pathway and MD with Distinction


Year-long Clinical and Translational
Fellowship Program
(CTRFP)

Peter Chin-Hong, M.D.
Associate Program Director

Joel Palefsky, M.D, Program Director

Kim Woodhouse, Program Administrator
Year-long clinical and
translational fellowship program

NIH, UCSF and Doris Duke funded
Provide fellowships to medical students to
conduct clinical/translational research
Emphasize mentoring with
clinical/translational researchers and
research teams
Provide both didactic and research
experience
Activities for CTRFP/DDCF
Fellows

Biweekly meetings
Journal clubs
Works-In-Progress Seminars
Social events throughout the year
CIST meeting at NIH
Annual year-end national meeting
Annual UCSF symposium
Doris Duke
For students wishing to spend one year at an approved
UCSF research site internationally (DDCF application is
partially through UCSF)

For students wishing to spend one year at one of the other,
non-UCSF DDCF schools
o These students must apply through the DDCF

For UCSF students doing international research

If interested, contact Kim Woodhouse to discuss the
DDCF application process
DDCF application process
For students applying for international fellowships
For students applying via other DDCF schools (6)
January 15, 2015 deadline
Application dates and selection dates are same for
all schools (and coordinate with other fellowship
programs)
Web-based DDCF application submission that goes
directly to each school
o Some schools ask for additional information (UCSF requires
you to complete a RAPtr application)


What is PROF-PATH?
Academic career and research training
program funded by NIH and UCSF.
Goal is to increase and enhance research
opportunities at UCSF
Competitive application through RAPtr Portal
Eligible if student is doing health disparities
research or is from NIH denominated health
disparities population background
PROF-PATH PROGRAM

Year-long or
Quarterly/Summer

Funding (Same as Doris Duke,
TL1, includes travel, but not
global health)

Academic Skills Curriculum
(Once a month, evening)

WIP sessions with TL1 Scholars

PP faculty mentor for career
advice

Ethics Training (online)



Questions?
Victoria Chen
ChenV@fcm.ucsf.edu

Alicia Fernandez, MD
afernandez@medsfgh.ucsf.edu

http://meded.ucsf.edu/p
rof-path
2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute
ELIGIBILITY FOR BOTH PROGRAMS
In good standing at a medical, dental, or veterinary school
located in the U.S.
Not currently in a combined professional degree/Ph.D.
program
May not have a Ph.D. in a laboratory-based biomedical
science
Do not have to be from a research-oriented school
Prior research experience is advantageous (Janelia Farm
option requires prior research experience))
U.S. citizenship not required but you must be eligible to
work in the U.S.

2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute
YEAR-LONG MEDICAL
FELLOWS PROGRAM

Conduct research at any
academic or nonprofit
institution in the U.S.
except for the NIH
Mentor and project chosen
before you apply
Selection of mentor and
research project are key
components of the
application process
Receive funding to attend
Med Fellows regional
meetings and scientific
conferences
2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute
MEDICAL FELLOWS AT
JANELIA FARM
Live and work at HHMIs Janelia
Farm Research Campus in Ashburn,
VA (near Washington, D.C.) for a year

Use innovative and emerging
technologies to research neuronal
network function or imaging at the
cellular and molecular level.

Two-step application process
requiring:
Prescreening application due by
November 1


2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Annual stipend of $29,000

$5,500 fellows allowance for
medical, dental, and vision
insurance, and education-
related expenses

$5,500 research allowance for
travel to scientific meetings,
Med Fellows regional
meetings, and some research-
related expenses
YEAR-LONG PROGRAM:
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute

2008:
228 applicants from 73 schools
68 accepted from 27 schools

2009:
231 applicants from 65 schools
70 accepted from 27 schools

2010:
274 applicants from 74 schools
74 accepted from 27 schools













2011:
244 applicants from 81 schools
71 accepted from 30 schools

2012:
226 applicants from 68 schools
71 accepted from 27 schools




YEAR-LONG PROGRAM: STATISTICS (2008-2012)
You dont need to choose a research project in
advance
Many basic and clinical and translational
opportunities available at the NIH
Accommodations provided on or near the NIH
campus
$33,700 stipend and moving expenses
Curriculum includes research seminars, journal
clubs, and direct interactions with NIH leaders.
Application due January 15, 2015



NIH Medical Research
Scholars Program



Medical Research Scholars
Program: Housing
Sarnoff Cardiovascular
Research Foundation
Medical Student
Research Fellowships
Inspiring the Physician- Scientists of Tomorrow
Each Fellow is paired with a member
of the Foundations Scientific Committee who will:

* Provide guidance during the research year
* Visit the Fellows lab during the year
* Aid in overall career development


Many opportunities to interact with other
Fellows, Scholars, Alumni and Scientific
Committee
Sarnoff Mentoring
Alumni Programs
Lifelong commitment to fellow
Webinars (advice on residency and
fellowship applications, grant writing,
careers in academia and industry, etc.)
Regional networking receptions
Leadership Training Retreats
Alumni-specific programs at Sarnoff
Annual Meeting


Annual stipend - $28,500
Fellowship Allowance - $7,000
Moving Expenses
Health Insurance
Travel Expenses
Computer equipment
Financial support to attend Sarnoff Annual
meetings, AHA meetings, and other mtgs
Sarnoff Benefits
Summary and Application
Can conduct research any where in the US
Lifelong Alumni support and offerings
Large Alumni Network
Lifelong mentoring by top physician
scientists in the country
Application--Personal Statement, Essay,
Curriculum Vitae, Transcript, Sponsors
Endorsement (medical school faculty), Letters of
Recommendation
Dana Boyd, Executive Director
Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation
dboyd@SarnoffFoundaton.org
www.sarnofffoundation.org

Sarnoff Information
The UCSF/UCB Joint Masters Program
In Translational Medicine
A Master of Science (MS) degree program in Bioengineering
with coursework and project focus on Translational Medicine
UCSF Medical School Gap-Year Research Opportunity
Bioengineering
(10 semester units)
Business/Leadershi
p (8 semester units)
Clinical/Regulator
y (6 semester units)
Capstone Project
(team-based)
Applications due: January 6, 2015
Master of Translational Medicine (MTM)
Mission: To provide engineers, clinicians, and life scientists with
the training needed for biomedical innovation and translation.
MTM Curriculum
Projects are focused on medical technology
http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/mtm
Students take courses at both UCSF and UCB
Summary of programs
Intramural
Yearlong
Funding
PROF-PATH
(intramural,
through
RAPtr)
Doris Duke
International
Doris Duke HHMI
Location UCSF UCSF International Elsewhere UCSF*
Mentor Apply with
project and
mentor

Apply with
project and
mentor

Apply with
project and
mentor
(UCSF)

Mentor and
project
selected
after
acceptance
(most)
Apply with
project and
mentor
Deadline Jan 15 Jan 15 Jan 15 Jan 15 Jan 15
Stipend $26,000 $26,000 $28,000 $28,000 $29,000
Notification Mid-March Mid-March Mid-March Mid-March Mid-March
Starts July 1 July 1
Research
stipend
no no yes yes

yes

UCSF
students/yr
10-15 4 1-2 1 1-5
NIH
programs
Sarnoff Fogarty Masters in Translational
Medicine
Location NIH Elsewhere International UCSF/UCB
Mentor Mentor and
project
selected
after
acceptance
Mentor and
project
selected
after
acceptance
Selected after
interviews

Selected before or during
program
Deadline Jan 17 Not
announced
Not announced Jan 6
Stipend $33,700 $28,500 pending -
Notification Mid-March Mid-March Mid-March
Starts July June-Sept July
Research stipend yes yes
UCSF students/yr 3-5 1 1-2 1-3
Summary of programs, cont
RAPtr Application:
One Application, Many Opportunities
Yearlong Letter of Intent: Due October 31st, 2014, 5pm
(available mid-September)

Yearlong Intramural Applications (available in early-December):
Due January 15
th
, 2015, 5pm
RAPtr Yearlong application process
Select a mentor and a research project

Submit a research application by January 15, 2015
o Personal statement
o Research Plan Title
o Research Plan Summary (should not exceed 250 words)
o Research Plan (should not exceed 2,100 words)
o Research Plan Citations
o Two letters of reference from persons (other than the mentor )
o Deans letter
o Mentors endorsement including information on the mentors
plans for training the applicant, training experience, grant
support, a brief curriculum vitae, and an evaluation of the
applicant

Pathways/MD with Distinction - students who receive an
intramural yearlong fellowship will have automatic enrollment
Application Tips:
START EARLY
Only use your UCSF email address within the
application (and make sure your mentor does as well)!
You can work on your application for up to 2 weeks;
the system will provide you with a unique link to your
application that will expire after two weeks.
It is YOUR responsibility to provide your mentor with
the mentor endorsement link and make sure they know
the deadline.
If you receive outside funding, you MUST notify us of
that fact.
See http://meded.ucsf.edu/raptr/application-
preview-samples for full application samples
from previous years.

Visit RAPtrs website http://meded.ucsf.edu/raptr
for more information or contact us at
studentresearch@medsch.ucsf.edu.
Next steps
Carefully and thoughtfully find a mentor if youre
applying to a home program
Meet with your PTD director and your college
advisory mentor
Submit non-binding letter of intent and
checksheet by October 31
st
(RAPtr website)
Meet with Dr. Dan Lowenstein or Dr. Urmimala
Sarkar to discuss research plans and Deans
Letter before December 19


Thank
You!