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This page serves as a resource for discovering supplemental funding grants and award opportunities offered to medical students conducting research either at UNC or at an outside institution. Supplemental funding grants and awards are not usually driven by research project duration, but rather by the funding source’s interest in the research they are supporting. The listings below give a brief award description listed in alphabetical order by Agency. When you find an award that you may be eligible to receive, please go to that program’s website to learn more about their application deadlines and procedures.

The Office of Medical Student Research is always looking for supplemental funding and award opportunities available to medical students conducting research. Please contact us with any additional supplemental funding awards that should be listed on this page.


Supplemental Funding Opportunities

American Medical Association Seed Grant Research Program

Program Description: Supplemental funding to help medical students, residents, and fellows conduct small projects. These funds are meant to round out budgets rather than sustain current initiatives and cannot be used for salary or stipend. Funds are granted for research conducted in the following areas: Arthritis/Rheumatism, Cardiovascular/ Pulmonary Diseases, HIV/AIDS, Leukemia, Neoplastic Diseases, and Neurological Disorders.
Award: Grants range between $1,500 – $2,500

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American Osler Society William B. Bean Student Research Award

Program Description: The Osler Society is able to award medical students monetary support for research in the broad areas of medical history and medical humanism.
Award: $1,500

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Gerber Foundation Fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition

Program Description: Supplemental support for a minority medical student or resident conducting research in the area of pediatric nutrition.
Award: $3,000

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Myasthenia Gravis Foundation Research Grants 

Program Description: Grants support research that will improve the lives of patients with myasthenia gravis and related neuromuscular junction disorders. Five broad research priorities: 1) Biomarkers; 2) Disease Mechanisms; 3) Targeted Therapies; 4) Patient Outcomes; and 5) Pediatric Treatment
Award: Varies

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Wilderness Medical Society Charles S. Houston Grant

Program Description: A grant of up to $5,000 will be awarded to a medical student who submits a research project most likely to result in a substantive contribution to the field of wilderness and environmental medicine.
Award: up to $5,000

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Awards

American College of Rheumatology Medical and Graduate Student Achievement Award

Program Description: The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding medical and graduate students for significant work in the field of rheumatology and provide the opportunity to attend the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Scientific Meeting.
Award: $750 cash award plus hotel and travel expenses

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American Medical Association Foundation National Student Research Forum

Program Description: This national scientific forum is assembled, planned and managed by students, for presentation of research by medical students, graduate students, interns, and residents in the biomedical sciences. The Forum provides an opportunity for young health-scientists to recieve critical analysis and recognition of their research efforts from established scientists.
Award: Cash awards range in amount and are given for essays, posters, and presentations

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American Medical Women’s Association Caroll L. Birch Research AwardProgram Description: Award given to a national AMWA medical student member for best original research paper(may have been previously published)
Award: $1,000

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Castillo Scholars Program

Program Description: The Castillo Scholars program was designed to address the racial and gender disparities present in many medical specialties. This program seeks to provide educational, research, and mentorship opportunities for current minority medical students considering careers in Radiology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Vascular Surgery. For the program’s second year,  they have 14 open spots to fill across 13 different specialties. Recipients will receive a $5000 stipend for participating. This 8-week summer enrichment opportunity begins June 1, 2022.

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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Student Research Fellowship Award

Program Description: Up to 16 Student Research Fellowship Awards per year at $2,500 each are available for undergraduate, medical or graduate students (not yet engaged in thesis research) in accredited North American institutions to conduct full-time research with a mentor investigating a subject relevant to IBD.
Award: Must conduct research minimum of 10 weeks/ $2,500

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International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) Conference Scholarship

Program Description: This scholarship is to be awarded to 2 students and consists of payment of registration for the annual meeting as well as 2 nights stay at a hotel selected by IAMSE. Please go to website for further requirements.
Award: Award dependent on annual meeting fees and hotel/meal cost.

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UNC Medical Alumni Association John B. Graham Student Research Society Medical Student Travel Awards

Program Description: This award was established to support UNC medical students who are invited to present research at regional, national, or international scientific meetings.
Award: $500

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Institute on Aging Salber-Phillips Award

Program Description: This award honors Drs. Eva J. Salber and Harry Phillips and their commitment to the health of all people, especially those in rural or underserved communities. The Salber-Phillips Award recognizes UNC-CH medical students who carry out the ideals of Drs. Salber and Phillips through community-oriented projects that improve the health or well-being of elderly people.
Award: $1,000
Contact: Elizabeth Thomas

Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) Student Research Grants

Program Description: Each year the SSSS awards grants to students who are doing human sexuality research. The purpose of the research can be a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation, but this is not a requirement. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting program and a member (student) of SSSS.
Award: $1,000

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