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Apply to T35 Short-Term Research Training Program

Summer 2026 Research Training Opportunity

Download Application Here

Open to M1 Students who have completed their first year by June 2026.

Students must choose a research mentor from a list of faculty associated with the program that can be found via the following link: faculty mentor. A selection committee will review the applications and select the most qualified student applicants to fill 15 fellowship positions.

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Completion of the first year of medical school by the start of the program (June 29, 2026)
  • Not be enrolled in any other course work during the period of June 29, 2026 – August 21, 2026.
  • Can participate in person, on the UIC campus, three times a week, for the full duration of the program.

Application Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

Program Dates: June 29, 2026 – August 21, 2026

Stipend: Students will receive a summer stipend as dictated by the NIH, $4,798

During the SRTP you will be required to:

  • Identify and set defined expectations/goals with your faculty mentor for the summer research
  • Meet with faculty mentor weekly to review progress and receive
  • Complete any required IRB or IACUC applications for research involving humans or vertebrate animals and any additional training required by your mentor.
  • Spend 40 hrs. per week engaged in active
  • Participate in all team activities associated with your mentor’s research (group meetings, journal clubs, ).
  • Participate in all scheduled, in person, SRTP curricular conferences including journal club, works-in progress, and core curricular topics sessions. No exceptions will be made to the in-person component of the program.
  • Complete a 15-minute oral presentation on your proposed research to the faculty for feedback and critique at the conclusion of the program.
  • Students will also be required to present an abstract at the annual COM Research Day in Fall of 2026 (post program).

***External Applicants – You must provide a letter from your Dean/Advisor confirming you will not be enrolled in course work during the summer program period, BEFORE contacting a mentor.

Components of the Application

  • Application Cover Page – Please see page 3 for the blank application cover
  • Research proposal 3-4 pages in length, followed by a
    • The research proposal should include the following elements:
      • Title/Header: title of the proposal, student name, T35 research mentor’s name, department
      • Specific Aims: principal aim(s) of the research project; a summary of the questions the student will ask and the methods that will be used.
      • Background and significance: information to help the reviewer understand the context of the questions the student is asking and why they are important, as well as the clinical and/or basic science significance of anticipated outcome(s).
      • Methods: Detail how the research will be conducted, resources needed, timeline and benchmarks to be achieved during the summer program.
      • Project Goals beyond the summer
  • Letter of support from mentor which should include the following information:
    • Skills that the student will acquire with his/her work during the
    • Prior experience track record in
    • Plan for supervision, including frequency of meetings, how progress will be assessed, and how feedback will be provided to trainees.
  • Personal statement describing how the program will affect professional development (one-page limit).
  • Applicant’s resume/curriculum vitae including prior research.

Submission of Application

The COMPLETE application must be submitted by Monday, March 2,2026 at 5:00pm, via email to Natalie Meza at nmeza1@uic.edu. When submitting your applications, please make sure to follow these instructions:

  1. All documents should be compiled into one document and sent as a Multiple submissions of different application components, nor paper copy submissions, will be accepted.
  2. Your email subject line for the application submission and application document should be named as follows: FirstName_SRTP 2026 Application.
  3. All necessary signatures MUST be present on the submitted application cover page in order to be

For questions or assistance with submission process, please reach out to Natalie Meza at nmeza1@uic.edu.