Criteria for Selecting Applicants
Applications will be reviewed using the following general criteria:
- Scientific merit of the proposed project
- Feasibility of completion of proposed project (including trainee preparation and experience, budget considerations, and funding time frame)
- Relevance of proposal to student's CAM research career goals and evidence of long-term commitment to research
- Commitment of the mentor to the proposed training plan
In addition, in the final selection process consideration may be given to assuring diversity of applicants from different degree programs and with different scientific focus areas (e.g. clinical vs. basic research). In general, to ensure a high-quality training experience, no more than one applicant per mentor will be funded; however depending on the specific project and training proposed it is possible for a mentor to have more than one short-term trainee per funding cycle.
Academic Requirements for Short-Term Training
We will select candidates who have the strongest background in research (e.g. candidates who wrote a senior thesis or have work experience) and in scientific course work, including laboratory classes. We will evaluate their letters of support and carefully assess their level of interest in CAM. Applicants must be currently enrolled in medical school or a graduate program in the health sciences.
Program Schedule and Evaluation
The training duration is three months and will take place during the summer quarter. Trainees will work with a mentor. Trainees that intend to involve human subjects must plan for getting IRB approval prior to the start of their project.
The mentor will monitor the trainee's progress. At the end of the three-month duration, both trainee and mentor will write a formal evaluation. While we will recruit new candidates each year, individual trainees who demonstrate high productivity during the first year of their support are encouraged to continue their research using these funds in subsequent years.
Research and Related Activities
The primary goal of this training grant is to prepare students for careers in research and academic medicine that will contribute to the body of CAM-relevant research. These short-term positions will allow students to work in an intensive fashion to perform a research project.
Laboratory work will be performed either at the Tierney Basic Sciences Research Laboratory at Bastyr University, or in laboratories at the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Washington State University. Students will perform data collection and analysis, then write the results of their project in the form of a scientific manuscript. These students will be encouraged to attend the same seminars and journal clubs as postdoctoral trainees. Trainees are expected to present their research and findings at a conference at Bastyr University and are encouraged to present their data at local, regional and national meetings when appropriate.
Short-Term Trainee Application
Download the Short-Term Trainee Application Form
For More Information
Cindy Butler-Smith
Project Manager, Research and Collaboration
14500 Juanita Drive N.E.
Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 602-3129
Bastyr University provides Equal Opportunity in education in accordance with Bastyr University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.
Citizenship Requirements
Applicants to the T32 program must be a citizen or noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence must have a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) or other legal verification of such status. A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency documentation will be required upon appointment. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible for Kirschstein-NRSA support on the T32 training grant.