Who should apply

Applicants for this track should be seriously interested in spending two intense years learning basic research techniques under the close supervision of experienced faculty members.

Candidates should be bright, motivated, and eager for a challenging program in GI basic science research. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Because this research fellowship is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, fellows must be US citizens or permanent residents. Stipends are in accordance with the NIH scale depending on years of previous related experience. Individuals who are accepted into this program qualify for clinical training at UNC, usually after completion of research work. For information on the clinical program click here.

How many slots are available

The number of slots available varies by year depending on funding availability and the previous year’s Match outcome. Each year we offer 1-2 positions. Generally we do not know of exact number of positions until after the interview period and before the Match quota deadline.

Gastroenterology Remains in the Match

Along with many other institutions, we continue to participate in the GI Match. We feel that the Match provides a more streamlined and equitable system for GI recruitment. All programs, whether large or small, research or clinically focused, benefit from participation in the Match. The success of the Match, however, depends on sustained participation by all GI training programs. The AGA has made available on its web site a list of programs participating in the Match. The listing is featured in the Education and Training section of www.gastro.org. Questions or comments can be directed to GIMatch@gastro.org. The National Residency Match Program (NRMP) has a web site, www.nrmp.org, for detailed information on how the Match program works (phone 202-400-2233 or 1-866-653-6767).  For technical assistance, please email support@nrmp.org. 

We participate in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). To learn how to apply, how the process works, and those GI programs participating in this process, please visit www.aamc.org/eras (phone 202-828-0508). Applicants can apply electronically through ERAS to programs of their choice.

We require - through ERAS - the following application materials: application, resume, personal statement, USMLE test scores steps I and II (III if available), and three letters of recommendation. We also consider D.O. applicants and therefore accept COMPLEX scores.

Our program offers three fellowship tracks: one clinical, and two research tracks (digestive disease epidemiology and basic science). All three tracks are listed for participation in the Match program, as, respectively, clinical, clinical outcomes/investigator, and basic science. Clinical is our traditional three-year clinical program. Clinical outcomes/investigator requires two years of MPH work and two years of clinical work. Basic science requires two years of bench work and two years of clinical work. All tracks prepare fellows for eligibility to sit for GI board exams. You may designate whichever track(s) are of interest to you. However, please note that if you choose more than one track, your application will be considered for only one track for interview and will be routed to that particular review committee.

We appreciate your interest in our program. If you have any questions, please feel to contact the fellowship program administrator:

Stephen M. Kennedy, PhD   skennedy@med.unc.edu
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
4119B Bioinformatics Building
130 Mason Farm Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080
Telephone: (919) 966-2514
Fax: (919) 966-6842