Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Program
The FSU College of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Program awards $5,000 stipends to medical students who participate in research with support from an FSU faculty mentor. This long-standing program provides students with opportunities and support to engage in research.
Watch: Summer Research Fellowship Program Overview
General Information
FSU first-year medical students are eligible to apply for this program. If awarded, the research is conducted in the summer between the first and second year.
Project Options: Medical students may join existing projects or create their own after identifying an appropriate FSU faculty mentor.
Research Requirements: Projects must be conducted under the mentorship of an FSU faculty member. Only one student per project will be considered for funding. Faculty may choose to mentor multiple students on different projects.
Eligibility & Student Requirements
Only FSU College of Medicine first-year medical students in good academic standing are eligible to apply to the FSU College of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship Program. Students are expected to work full-time on their projects. If students have questions about eligibility, please contact us for clarification.
Awardees are expected to spend 100% of their time on the project during the funded period. The project period is 10 weeks, which is the length of the summer semester. This program is compatible with both summer clinical practicum sessions.
Awardees must acknowledge the source of funding on any presentation or publication of their findings. Awardees are also expected to participate in the FSU College of Medicine Research Poster Session in the fall semester following their research summer.
Selection Process
Proposals submitted for funding are usually due at the beginning of February of the year the student is applying for funding.
A committee comprised of FSU College of Medicine faculty will evaluate proposals based on preparation, design, and feasibility.
Students must attest that they are in good academic standing before submitting the application. Students must remain in good academic standing to receive funding and participate in research activities. Decisions are usually announced in mid-March.
Contact Information
Are you looking for research opportunities as part of the FSU College of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship Program, or do you have questions about the SRF application process?
Please contact Program Director for Medical Student Research, Sabrina Leigh or Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Medical Student Research, Suzanne Baker.
Application Steps
Step 1. Find a Mentor
The first step is to identify a research mentor. Do not wait until the last minute to begin searching. Program Director Sabrina Leigh and Assistant Dean Suzanne Baker are available to discuss mentorship and research opportunities. Friends and classmates may also suggest faculty with strong mentoring experience.
Current FSU medical students can log into MedNet to view the Central and Regional Research Opportunities.
Students should speak with several faculty members to explore different research environments and styles. The departments below are a good place to start.
Step 2. Develop a Project Idea
Most students join an existing project led by their research mentor. In collaboration with the mentor, students may also propose a new research project.
Step 3. Prepare Application Materials
There are five items required for the full application. Gather all materials before starting the online application. Read the instructions carefully. Save all documents as PDFs, combine them into a single PDF, and upload to the Qualtrics application.
Materials Required:
- Abstract
- Proposal
- Student CV
- Faculty Mentor CV
- Signed Faculty Mentor and Student Agreement (FMSA) Form
Proposals must be written by students. Faculty mentors should review and provide feedback. Proposals with plagiarism or improper citations will be disqualified and referred for professionalism review.
Step 4. Submit the Application
Applications must be submitted through the Qualtrics application link. Submit all supporting documents as one merged PDF. All materials must be submitted by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
The 2026 application cycle is currently closed. Check back for information on the 2027 application cycle.
The proposed work is completed in the summer between the first and second year of medical school. All SRF recipients will present their work in a short format to a College of Medicine audience later that fall semester.
