Pathways: AAD-SID Gap Year Fellowship
Medical students may take a research gap year after their second or third year of medical school. This research gap year provides an opportunity to demonstrate research skills, giving these students an edge in admission to residency programs. Yet there are many barriers — social, cultural, and economic — that underrepresented minorities (URiM) face in taking a research gap year.
The AAD-SID Gap Year Fellowship aims to increase the representation of minorities in academic dermatology by supporting a competitive yearlong research program under the supervision of a vetted mentor. By engaging underrepresented students in basic, translational, or clinical research, the fellowship program will help develop tomorrow’s leaders in medicine and biomedical research. The grants are provided by the AAD and the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID), as part of the “Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology” program to increase the number of practicing URiM dermatologists.
Selected medical students will work with outstanding mentors who have been chosen based on their extramurally funded, productive research programs in skin biology and/or skin diseases, and their track record of training URiM students. In addition to providing research training, the mentors are expected to guide the professional development of the trainees.
In collaboration with the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
Click to learn more about the fellowship
Award amount
Up to five awards of $30,000 each will be provided.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the AAD-SID Gap Year Fellowship if you:
Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in a U.S. medical school that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education
Have completed two or three years of medical school
Are a current medical student in good academic standing
Can commit to a one-year, full-time fellowship
And are a member of a group that is underrepresented in dermatology:
Black/African-American
Hispanic or Latino
American Indian or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or U.S. Pacific Islander
LGBTQ
Individuals who have overcome severe adversities, including those with life-altering disabilities
Other racial and ethnic groups considered to be underrepresented in medicine and biomedical research
Application checklist
The following documents are required for your application:
Current CV or NIH Biosketch (no longer than 5 pages)
Letter of good standing from your institution
In the application form, you must address the following elements:
Why are you interested in applying for this fellowship?
If you have previous research experience, describe it.
What kind of research are you interested in?
What kind of hardships have you encountered in your professional development?
What is your vision for your medical career once you complete your training?
Describe your approach to problem solving during medical school.
Apply for the fellowship
Click Apply and then sign into or sign up for an AAD account to complete your application.
Apply
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Medical students can join us for workshops, symposia, and fellowships.
Learn more about our programs for dermatology residents.
