{"id":79,"date":"2017-07-31T18:17:21","date_gmt":"2017-07-31T22:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-dev.med.unc.edu\/omsr\/omsr\/resources-for-students\/research-programs\/carolina-medical-student-research-program-cmsrp-1\/carolina-medical-student-research-application-process\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T13:19:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:19:29","slug":"carolina-medical-student-research-application-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/omsr\/resources-for-students\/research-programs\/carolina-medical-student-research-program-cmsrp-1\/carolina-medical-student-research-application-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a number of steps in applying for the Carolina Medical Student Research Program (CMSRP). If you have any questions along the way, please contact the Office of Medical Student Research<\/a>\u00a0and we’ll be happy to help.<\/p>\n

Please note: the deadline for applying for funding for the summer (June through August) of 2026 is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026. Students interested in funding for one-year projects must also submit their applications before this deadline.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Step One:<\/strong>
\nSelect a Mentor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The first step is to identify a research mentor. Visit our\u00a0Find a Mentor\u00a0page<\/a> to see who is working in your area of interest. You can also check out the Resource Library<\/a> for helpful information about\u00a0what to consider when choosing a mentor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Step Two:<\/strong>
\nDevelop a Research Topic<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Do this in conjunction with your mentor. If you are hoping to do a short-term research project, remember to limit the research design, as 8-9 weeks is a short period of time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Step Three:<\/strong>
\nCompile Your Application<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are five items that comprise the full application. We recommend gathering all of your application elements before beginning the online application. The forms you will need are available for download at the links\u00a0below. Please read the instructions carefully. \u00a0If you have any questions,\u00a0contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please note that the application and student biosketch forms have been formatted so that you can save them to your hard drive and type in your information. If you have problems using them, please contact Tiffany Durham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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  1. Application: Please fill out the CMSRP Application online<\/a>. Make sure you read and follow all instructions to the letter. Please be sure to only complete the application if you have already secured every required document and merged all required documents into a single PDF file. Failure to do this will render your submission disqualified.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Your biosketch:\u00a0Please download and complete this\u00a0Student Biosketch Form<\/a>. Remember to save\u00a0your form as a PDF and compile all documents into a single PDF file.<\/li>\n
  3. A letter of support from your mentor. The letter should be reasonably detailed as to the project, expected support to be given to the student in the way of mentoring, technical help, and expected outcomes. The\u00a0mentor should explicitly state that the student understands the hypothesis and is the primary author of the research design method and results. The letter must also describe the precise role the student will play in the project. Your letter must include your mentor’s signature. Please scan the letter and attach it with the application package.\u00a0Please note that a UNC mentor is required to be eligible for program.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Your mentor\u2019s biosketch: Request a copy of your mentor\u2019s NIH-style biosketch. Please include it with the application package. Please make sure your mentor is using\u00a0this updated NIH format for biosketches<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  5. A written proposal: Use headings as shown in this Guidelines for Research Proposals<\/a>\u00a0document. Save\u00a0your proposal as a PDF and remember to compile all documents into a single PDF and include them with your application. Please keep in mind that you must have IRB and\/or IACUC approval<\/a> or exemption before you start working on your research project, and we are not able to make exceptions to this policy (your mentor can help you with this). Use these sample proposals for reference:\n