Research and Scholarly Advancement Fellowship Program Guidelines

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 research 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 pursuing research as physician-scientists dedicated to enhancing healthcare. 

All Heritage College students who are currently enrolled as first-year students in the Heritage College during spring semester immediately preceding the RSAF program (e.g., spring semester 2025 for Summer 2025 RSAF program) are invited to apply for the RSAF program.  Students must be in good academic and professional standing, with no Code of Professional Standards violations on record, from the time of application through the conclusion of the RSAF program.  Heritage College Office of Medical Education and others may be contacted to evaluate the student’s suitability to participate in this experience prior to the conclusion of the proposal review process and periodically through the end of the RSAF program. 

RSAF mentors must hold an affiliation with Ohio University, hold a terminal or earned doctoral degree, and have expertise in the field in which they are planning to mentor the student demonstrated through recent (within the last three years) peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, additional training, and/or recent student or post-doctoral researcher mentorship roles.  Potential RSAF mentors who do not currently hold an affiliation with the Heritage College must apply for and be granted adjunct clinical faculty status with the Heritage College prior to serving as an RSAF mentor.  Additional information can be found on the Heritage College Clinical Education website.  Applications with mentors not meeting these criteria will not be considered for RSAF funding.   

Students are responsible for identifying their own mentor and are encouraged to directly approach Heritage College faculty members, including adjunct clinical faculty, members of Heritage College affiliates (e.g., the Cleveland Clinic systems, Kettering Health Network, Nationwide Children’s Hospital), or Ohio University faculty members (outside the Heritage College), including members of one of the four Heritage College institutes (Diabetes Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, or Edison Biotechnology Institute (EBI)) or an Ohio University institute such as The Institute to Advance Health Equity (ADVANCE) whose research may be of interest to them.  Students are also encouraged to visit the Office of Research and Grants Internal Research Opportunities webpage for information on many available research opportunities with Heritage College faculty and members of Heritage College institutes.   

A faculty committee will review the proposals and make funding recommendations to the RSAF program director.  Fellowships are awarded for a period of ten weeks during the summer between the first and second year of OMS training.  The fellowship award is $3,000, distributed to the student’s account by the Ohio University Bursar’s Office.  Typical disbursement date is on/around May 31st but is subject to change.  The fellowship awards are for the student's use only.  Students may apply for a Medical Student Seed Funding to assist with project related expenses.  Fellowship awards are contingent upon the student’s spring enrollment status and successful completion of the Year 1 medical school curriculum by the end of spring semester immediately preceding the RSAF program (e.g., spring semester 2025 for Summer 2025 RSAF program).   

Due to the short timeframe of the RSAF program, it is the expectation that students will be actively engaged and involved in working on their project for the duration of the RSAF program.  Additionally, students participating in the RSAF program are not permitted to commit to other employment, programs, or projects outside the RSAF program for the duration of the program.  Participating students will work directly with their mentors to determine their actual daily/weekly schedule. 

During the last week of the summer program, it is mandatory that all students participating in the RSAF program attend (in person) and present their work as part of the annual summer research symposium or other event as identified by the RSAF program director.  This event will be held in person, on the Athens campus.  Failure to complete this requirement by the assigned date may result in a failing grade for the RSAF program.