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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 4 awards of $500 (at least 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 (eg geographic regions, populations of interest, etc.) are especially encouraged. Recipients of the award will receive up to $500 travel reimbursement or travel stipend directly to their cashier account.  Alternatively, they can work with the Health Sciences business office to have conference fees, airfare and other allowable expenses paid directly on their behalf.

Research Excellence Awards are distributed annually. Applications are due February 14th by 5pm EST and decisions will be made by March 7th, 2025. 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 14th. Awardees are required to present (10-15 minutes) at the April 16th 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 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 applicants research progress and contributions (relative to career stage) and commitment to broader health sciences (one page maximum).
  4. Short CV (three-page maximum).

All applicants will automatically be considered for the award designated for their PhD Division. If students also wish to be considered for the Department-wide Research Excellence Award, they should state so in their cover letter.