The Summer Training on Aging
Research Topics - Mental Health (START-MH) Fellowship, recently
funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and administered by the
University of California San Diego, is a unique national program that offers
competitive scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and medical students who may
be interested in aging and mental health research. The program gives the
selected fellows an opportunity to gain research experience and work closely
with an established mentor/investigator in the field of aging and mental health
research. During the 8 - 10 week summer program, students will work on
specific projects developed by, or in conjunction with a mentor. The
training is designed for students at all research levels.
The START-MH
Fellowship Program is actively seeking both mentors as well as student
applicants. Please read more about the program below.
Who is Eligible to Serve as a Mentor?
Researchers with a demonstrated track record in mental health and aging research
are eligible to serve as mentors to student (undergraduate, graduate and medical
student) applicants to the START-MHprogram. Mentors with federally funded research will be given the highest
priority in the evaluation process.
What Level Students May Apply to the Program?
START-MH fellowships are awarded on a
competitive basis to undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors who have a
minimum GPA of 3.0 and may have an interest in pursuing a career in aging and
mental health research. Any graduate or medical students with an interest
in pursuing a career in aging and mental health research are eligible to apply.
How Will Students be Compensated?
Undergraduate students will be awarded a stipend of $4,000 - 6,000 and
graduate and medical students receive $5,000 - 7,500 stipend for the summer
program dependent on the number of weeks worked. From this stipend,
fellows are responsible for their own meals, housing and travel expenses.
What is Required of Mentors?
Mentors are expected to provide appropriate research guidance to trainees.
Mentors will also be required to evaluate the trainee and the START-MH
program at the end of the summer. Mentors
are expected to assist the trainee in writing an abstract or paper based on the
research performed.
What is Required of Students?
The program activities are rigorous and require a full time commitment
(five days a week/ 40 hours per week). Students can not work or take
summer courses during the fellowship. At the end of the program, fellows
are expected to provide a report of their summer activities including an
abstract or paper based on their research. Fellows will be asked to
complete evaluations during and immediately after the program and give annual
progress reports. Fellows will be asked about their mentors and their
research experience. All fellows will also be required to attend a START-MH
Conference at UCSD in mid August (expenses paid) to present their research
experience and plans for future research careers.
Please visit http://startmh.ucsd.edu
for program details and application forms. Contact
Maureen
Halpain, (858) 642-3602, directly if you have
questions related to this new program.
