The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has selected 37 talented students for the Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP). The research training programme allows medical, dental, and veterinary students to pause their university studies to live on the intramural campus of NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, and conduct basic, clinical, or translational research. The accepted scholars begin their fellowship in July/August 2018.

“The NIH Medical Research Scholars Program attracts the brightest talent from across the country. These scholars are the future leaders in American medicine,” said Thomas R. Burklow, M.D., Director of the MRSP.

The NIH MRSP received over 115 applications during the 2018-2019 submission cycle. Those creative, research-oriented scholars selected will receive mentored training and will conduct research in areas that match their personal interests and research goals. The training experience forms the core of the programme and allows these future clinician-scientists and medical researchers to carry out research across the full spectrum of science in the interest of improving public health. The scholars work with an advisor who provides guidance on creating a career development plan and on selecting an NIH research mentor. Mentors are fulltime NIH investigators with basic, clinical or translational research programmes.

About the 2018-2019 NIH MRSP participants: The 37 participants consist of 34 medical, two dental and one veterinary student; The participants represent 28 US-accredited universities; The class consists of three second-year, 32 third-year and two fourth-year students; Sixty-five per cent of participants are female.

Over the course of the academic year, MRSP scholars participate in courses, journal club seminars, a structured lecture series and clinical teaching rounds. They also present their research to the NIH community and at domestic professional conferences.

The MRSP is supported by the NIH and other partners via contributions to the Foundation for the NIH.

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) creates and manages alliances with public and private institutions in support of the mission of the NIH. The FNIH works with its partners to accelerate biomedical research and strategies against diseases and health concerns in the United States and across the globe. Established by Congress in 1990, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organisation.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases.