Research and Scholarly Advancement Fellowship (RSAF)

Important Dates and Information

Program Dates: May 19 - July 25, 2025

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

Acceptance Notice: February 28, 2025 (Tentative)

2025 RSAF Guidelines

Project Information Form

(Instructions for Completing Project Information Form:  Open Link, Under Edit Document, Select Open in Desktop App, then save a local copy)

Apply for RSAF

About the Research and Scholarly Advancement Fellowship (RSAF) Program

All Heritage College students who will successfully complete the Year 1 medical school curriculum by the end of the spring semester immediately preceding the summer RSAF program are invited to apply. Students must be in good academic and professional standing, with no Code of Professional Standards violations on record.  Students from all three Heritage College campuses are encouraged to apply. 

Under the guidance of the research mentor, students conduct intensive short-term (10-week) research projects in selected areas of biomedical/basic, social-behavioral medicine, primary care, medical education, or clinical investigation. Students will participate in a core curriculum consisting of seminars on broad topics in medical research. They will complete an oral and/or poster presentation describing their research, to be presented in person on the Athens campus during the last week of the summer program. 

The objectives of the RSAF program are to provide a valuable experience for highly motivated and talented medical students to participate in a defined research project; to acquaint students with scientific methodology; to enhance their analytic and laboratory skills; and to provide an opportunity to improve their presentation and writing skills. The program provides foundational skills for future physicians to use scientific evidence as a basis in their clinical decision making and to consider the possibility of pursing research as physician-scientists dedicated to enhancing health care.

The fellowship pays $3,000 to assist fellows with living expenses.

Students are expected to review the current program guidelines carefully as they contain very important information and details related to the program.  Students must submit proposals according to the current program guidelines in order to be considered for funding.

Questions?

For additional information, please contact:
The Heritage College Office of Research and Grants, Nadine Borovicka, program manager, or Jessica Wingett, director of research administration and student research and RSAF program director

RSAF Class of 2024