James Scholar Program
The James Scholar for Independent Study Program (JS/ISP) focuses on supporting and refining research skills among medical students as they develop into clinical physicians. The James Scholar Program is designed to support medical student researchers during their M2-M4 years, with research projects culminating in high-level activities, such as presentations at abstracted scientific conferences and academic meetings as well as publication of research papers.
Students interested in applying to be James Scholars should actively be engaged in research at the time of application as well as be in good academic standing. Research activities should be with academic faculty, having initiated these activities in the summer prior to their M2 year. Applicants should have an established relationship with the faculty member who can serve as a mentor over the course of program participation.
There is no formal application form, students submit documentation in PDF format satisfying the requirements listed in the information packet as their application. Applications will be reviewed by a James Scholar committee made up of UIC faculty. Select students will be invited for an in-person interview with those same committee members. Based on a review of the application and the personal interview, James Scholars will be selected.

James Scholar Graduates
Class of 2022

Date | Topic |
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Informational Meetings![]() |
8/25/2022 Recorded Meeting |
Nov 1, 2022 | Applications Due 12 pm Central Time |
TBA | Interviews (dates approximate) |
TBA | Applicants notified of results |
June 1, 2023 | First Quarter Project Progress Reports due |
James Scholar Program
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Applications and additional information:Larry Moran, Ed.D. |
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Application Scoring
Requirements | Description | Points |
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Prior research experience should be highlighted. | 10 points |
Personal Statement | Five points for each of these categories, 1 page:
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15 points |
Project Abstract | 150 words or less. | 5 points |
Summary of Research Project | Materials not to exceed 5 pages. References listed as the last page, does not count toward the 5 page limit. Margins not smaller than ½ an inch, and minimum 12 point font.
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50 points |
Recommendation letter | Letter of support from your research mentor, 1-2 pages.
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15 points |
Interview | In-person interview | 10 points |