1. Do I have to join Discovery Pathways to participate in the Summer MSRP?
Answer – No, you can do the Summer MSRP and not join a Discovery Pathways Track.
2. Do I have to participate in the Summer MSRP to join a Discovery Pathways Track?
Answer – Some tracks require participation in the MSRP.
3. How do I join a Discovery Pathways Track?
Answer – Complete the application form on the Discovery Pathways Website under Track Descriptions.
4. How do I join the Summer MSRP?
Answer – To join the MSRP you must submit the Student Project Proposal.
5. Will MSRP participants receive funding for the Summer Research Program in Discovery Pathways?
Answer – Yes, the MSRP will provide a scholarship in the amount of $2000 to every student for the full summer MSRP program (stipends may be pro-rated for less than the usually allotted summer break) . Some projects may be selected for special funding from the NIH short term training grant (Additional Requirements Apply) or the Thomas H. Maren Junior Investigators Research Fund.
6. How do I earn distinction recognition?
Answer – Fulfill the requirements listed on the Discovery Pathways website under “About the track” for each of the Tracks.
7. How do I know if I get accepted into the MSRP?
Answer – After you submit your proposal, the MSRP committee will review your project and you will receive an acceptance letter.You must reply to the letter to accept the terms of the stipend, especially if you are accepted to the NIH short term training grant which has additional requirement that MUST be fulfilled.
8. What do I do if I can’t find a project on the website and/or a mentor?
Answer – 1) If you can’t find a project and/or a mentor, you can search the website of the department you are interested in and ask faculty if they have any projects or if they would like to be your mentor. 2) Contact the MSRP office for guidance on selecting a project and/or mentor. 3) Contact one of the TRACK leaders to help develop a project not on the website
9. Can I complete my project at another Institution?
Answer – Yes, you can complete your project at another institution, however, you are strongly encouraged to still have a UF Mentor to oversee the project proposal, etc.
10. Can I develop a project of my own?
Answer – Yes, you can. You must still have a faculty mentor.
11. How do I get IRB/IACUC approval or get added to a project that already has IRB approval?
Answer – One of your mentor’s duties is to submit a protocol for IRB/ IACUC approval or you to the project that’s already approved.
12. What is the difference between IRB-01 and IRB-02?
Answer – Please refer to the UF Institutional Review Board site
13. What are the required trainings?
Answer – Please check our required training page.
14. Do I have to present a poster?
Answer – Yes, one of the requirements of the Summer MSRP is to present a poster at the annual Celebration of Research Day, departmental event, or a conference. Proof of abstract is required. Submit program with abstract to verify completion of requirement if not presented at the Celebration of Research Day event.
15. How do I create a poster if I don’t complete the project in time for Medical Student Research Day?
Answer – If you do not complete the specific aims of your project during the summer program, you can continue to work with your faculty mentor during the fall semester of your second year to produce sufficient results to present a poster in the spring semester of your second year. If you are delaying presentation please seek approval.
Posters should describe the background for the project, the hypothesis, specific aims and methods used to test the hypothesis, the results that were generated and any interpretations of the new results for the field. However, posters can also include descriptions of problems that were encountered in completing the project and solutions to overcome those problems.
16. Will medical students be enrolled in a medical school elective to participate in the MSRP?
Answer – Yes, medical students will be enrolled in and receive academic credit for the summer research that will appear on your transcript. No additional tuition is paid because of the rules for block tuition
17. Are there any prerequisites?
Answer – Yes, satisfactory completion of the first year of medical school is required.