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Grant and Award Applications

Health Sciences Research Excellence Awards

 

The Health Sciences Research Excellence Award recognizes PhD students in the Department of Health Sciences who showcase research excellence in their wider academic and professional communities. Research excellence can be defined in a number of ways and may vary by discipline. Applicants are expected to highlight how their achievements demonstrate excellence within their field/discipline. Examples include receiving a predoctoral fellowship/dissertation award, high research productivity for their career stage (indexed through publications and/or conference presentations/posters) or receiving state or national awards.

 

To highlight and reward PhD Student research excellence, DHS will provide up to 3 travel awards of $1000 (one per PhD issuing division), based on availability of funding. Applications related to health equity, access to care and/or other underrepresented scientific areas of interest (e.g., geographic regions, populations of interest, etc.) are especially encouraged. Recipients of the award will receive up to $1000 that may be used for travel and travel-related expenses (e.g., conference or training-related travel expenses). The travel awards will be distributed through Gradstar to the student’s account.

 

Research Excellence Awards are distributed annually. Applications are due February 20th by 5pm EST and decisions will be made by March 13th, 2026. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in one of the three DHS PhD programs (OS/OT, HMSC, SPHS). Applicants can only receive one Research Excellence Award (including previously being awarded a Research Ambassador Award) during their time in their PhD Program.

 

To apply, applicants must submit the following to Patty Kinneer (patricia_kinneer@med.unc.edu) by 5pm EST on February 20th. If awarded, applicants must be available to present a brief research talk (10-15 minutes) at the April 15th Health Sciences Research Forum at noon. This date is not negotiable.

 

To apply, applicants must send the following materials as a single PDF:

  1. Cover letter highlighting evidence of research excellence within their field and their commitment to health sciences (one-page maximum).
  2. Budget justification detailing how travel funds will be spent. Applicants must also outline any other travel funds available to them (no more than half a page).
  3. Nomination letter from primary mentor that addresses the applicant’s research progress and research contributions (relative to career stage) and engagement in the health sciences department (one page maximum).
  4. Short CV (three-page maximum).