Frequently Asked Questions
How are students chosen for the program?
Your application is sent to the two Centers that you list as your two choices. The Centers review the applications and send a list of ranked students to the Coordinating Center who then performs the match process until all positions are filled.
When will we hear if we matched to the program?
We try to inform everyone by mid- to late-March, but we are dependent upon the Diabetes Centers sending us their lists of students.
Do I have to participate for two months? I only have 7 weeks off this summer.
The NIH feels that less than two months (60 days) would not provide a suitable research experience, so require two months of participation during the summer.
How much is the stipend and how is it paid?
It is approximately $2,300 per month and is paid according to the regulations of the Center to which a student is matched. Please contact your Center's administrator with questions about your stipend.
The stipend is a set amount for all post graduates and is non-negotiable.
Does the program provide housing for students?
The program does not pay for housing, but the Centers work to help students find affordable housing such as dormitories, sub-leases, etc.
Does the program pay for travel from my home school to the Center where I’ll be studying for the summer?
No, only travel to Nashville for the symposium is paid for by the program.
What is the travel allowance and how is it paid?
The travel allowance provides travel from the summer Center to the symposium in Nashville and is paid according to regulations of the Center to which a student is matched. It is up to $1,000.
Will we have a publishable paper after the summer program?
If you worked on a project and a published paper comes from that project, you will be listed as one of the authors.
What will we be doing at the symposium? Do we present to the whole group?
- You will be divided into small groups and will have about five minutes each time to present your poster.
- There will also be an open poster session where odd numbered poster presenters stand by their posters to present to even number poster presenters and then change places halfway through.
- You will hear invited speakers talk about career paths and also have lunch with visiting professors.
- A local panel of residency directors will speak and answer questions concerning residencies.
My medical school starts back the same week of the symposium – what can I do?
Medical school deans are usually very willing to allow a student to miss classes and return to the symposium for the two days. Reach out to us to get a letter requesting an excused absence from classes.