Deans Research Scholar Funding-ASCI PSSF Fellowship

Dear Class of 2027,

If you already know you are going to do a Dean’s Research Scholar year, please review the ASCI PSSF Fellowship — a fully funded, 12-month, laboratory-based gap-year for MD/DO students that includes a $42,000 stipend plus an $8,000 allowance for health insurance and travel: https://beta.the-asci.org/awards/asci-pssf-fellowship/

Keck may nominate only one applicant, and our nominee must be named by October 13, 2025. If you’re interested in being considered, please email Dr. Riddell (and cc Fiaba) by Thursday, September 18th to express your interest.

If you’re lukewarm about a DRS year or simply need more time to think about a DRS year, then feel free to pass on this. It is very early.

DRS applications will come out in December, and they will be due in the first week of April, with notification in the first week of May.

Warm Regards,

Fiaba A. Zakarian

Medical Student Research Advisor

Keck School of Medicine of USC

KAM 205, 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089

fiaba.zakarian@med.usc.edu

323-442-0842

Book a Research Advising Appointment 

https://calendly.com/fiaba-zakarian

(If no appointments available please reach out)

Research Elective Form

https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TTMLzBtbd5TwQS