Medical Student Research
The FSU College of Medicine supports and encourages medical students at all levels to seek research opportunities that will enhance their experiences to develop and refine their scientific and clinical interests.
Bridge, M1 & M2 Students: Students must complete a Medical Student Research and Scholarly Activity Request form and have it approved prior to the start of any research project. Each student is independently responsible and must submit a separate request for each project before beginning any work. Starting a project or activity before approval, or continuing work after being notified of a change in academic standing or another directive, may result in disciplinary action.
M3 & M4 Students: You must have an approved form on file with your regional campus. Please contact your regional campus dean to help navigate the research approval process.
Opportunities:
FSU College of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship Program
The Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Program occurs in the summer between the first and second year of medical school and awards $5,000 to students participating in research under the mentorship and supervision of an FSU faculty member.
Students may join existing projects or create their own after identifying an appropriate FSU faculty mentor. Fellowships are limited and competitive.
FSU College of Medicine & Mayo Clinic Florida Research Fellowship Program
The FSU College of Medicine & Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Joint Research Fellowship Program, created in collaboration with our colleagues at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, Division of Research in Jacksonville, offers medical students a unique opportunity to develop research skills in a dynamic clinical research environment.
Tailored to medical students in the summer between their first and second year, students will be matched with a Mayo Clinic mentor and participate on-site in Jacksonville. Selected students receive a $6,000 award. Fellowships are limited and competitive.
More information at FSU College of Medicine Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Joint Fellowship Program
Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Research Program
Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) seeks to strengthen its ties to the community and FSU College of Medicine by supporting the medical students who serve Tallahassee.
The application cycle is closed. The 2027 application will open in the Fall semester. The submission deadline is November 1 to start the following spring semester. Students may submit their TOC application via Qualtrics link
For additional questions, please email Dr. Emilie Miley, Director of Research.
Medical Student National Fellowships (MSNF) Website
We maintain an internal database of select national summer research opportunities for medical students. Generally, these programs are designed for the summer between the first and second year of medical school.
Current FSU medical students may log into MedNet to view the programs: Medical Student National Fellowship Site
Additional Resources
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) – Medical Student Training Opportunities
Research, clinical and public health training opportunities for current medical students.
International Healthcare Opportunities Clearinghouse (IHOC)
A user-friendly site designed for health care professionals and students interested in volunteering with underserved communities at home or abroad.
Summer Research Program Highlights
Aging and Geriatrics Medical Student Training in Aging Research – MSTAR
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the MSTAR program offers medical students an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics with mentorship from experts in the field.
CDC Summer Research Opportunities
A list of summer research opportunities sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for medical students.
Diabetes Research Centers – NIDDK Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes
Sponsored by the NIH, this program offers opportunities in diabetes, hormone action, physiology and obesity.
Inside the Match – Research Opportunities
Created by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, this site highlights summer research opportunities for medical students.
NIH Summer Internship Programs (SIP)
Full-time summer research positions within NIH Institutes and Centers for students exploring careers in research and health care.
Year-Long Research Program Highlights
NIH Medical Research Scholars Program
A year-long research immersion program for future clinician-scientists.
Getting Involved with Research in Medical School
Research plays an increasing role in how physicians diagnose, treat, and improve patient care. The “bench to bedside” model driving modern biomedicine means research findings move from laboratory discovery to clinical practice. Medical students who engage in research build skills that strengthen both clinical practice and career development.
Professional Development
- Work with faculty and build mentoring relationships
- Mentors serve as long term career resources
- Strengthen residency applications
Clinical and Intellectual Growth
- Strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills
- Learn how medical evidence is generated and evaluated
- Improve ability to interpret and apply medical literature
Research Mentorship
A great research mentor provides encouragement, cultivates personal and professional growth, and allows mentees to reach their full potential. Research mentors can boost students' confidence and open doors to research ideas or projects. With their knowledge, mentors offer guidance rooted in a genuine interest in supporting research and professional development.
A Mentor Should:
Support
- Offer consistent support and encouragement
- Help reflect on and grow from mistakes
- Build confidence for research poster presentations
- Uphold and model strong personal integrity
- Connect with others in the research field
Guide
- Provide research-specific training and insights
- Guide students through the process of writing and submitting manuscripts for publication
- Assist in recognizing and working with both strengths and areas for growth
- Be committed to helping advance to the next stage of the research journey
How to Find a Research Mentor
Research can span a single summer — typically between the first and second years of medical school — or continue throughout all four years. Many faculty members accept only one or two students for research projects, and some may not have the necessary time, resources, or space to serve as mentors.
For this reason, it is advisable that students begin the search for a research mentor early rather than waiting until the last minute. It is recommended that students speak with multiple faculty members to gain insight into different research environments and the variety of projects being conducted.
Research the possibilities. Program Director Sabrina Leigh, and Assistant Dean Suzanne Baker, are available to meet and discuss mentorship guidance and opportunities. Friends and classmates may also be able to suggest faculty members that have a reputation for being good research mentors.
Current FSU Medical Students can log into MedNet to view the Central and Regional Research Opportunities.
This is a list of our five departments as well as some of the college’s centers. This is not a comprehensive list but is a good place to begin. Research descriptions for many faculty members are available on their department or graduate program web pages.
Once students have identified potential mentors, the next step is to contact those faculty members to determine their availability for mentorship. Most students initiate this connection via email. Before reaching out, students should ensure their CV or resume is up to date, as it will typically be attached when requesting to join a research project or proposing a new idea. Emails should be concise and clear, highlighting the student’s background and their understanding of the project they are interested in.
It is perfectly acceptable for students to approach more than one potential mentor at the same time. The primary goal is to find a mentor and research environment that align well with the student’s interests and needs. Students do not need to have a fully developed research idea prior to meeting with a potential mentor.
Ask Questions. Students are encouraged to learn as much as possible about the research environment, including:
Who will provide direct supervision, and whether this arrangement is suitable for the student?
How frequently meetings with the faculty advisor will occur, and whether communication will primarily be with another member of the lab.
Whether the project may lead to publication.
These questions serve as a helpful starting point. In many cases, misunderstandings between students and mentors arise from unclear expectations in these areas. Students are advised to meet with several faculty members before selecting a research sponsor.