Medical Student Research

Summer Research

Are You a Patient?

Keck Summer Research Fellowship – Deadline: April 12, 2026

The Keck Summer Research Fellowship Program awards students up to $2,500 to complete six weeks of full-time research (40 hours per week) during the summer between MSI and MSII. Students can work with any faculty mentor; however, students conducting research with a USC faculty mentor will be given funding priority.

Open to currently enrolled MS1 Keck Students
For questions contact: Fiaba Zakarian ([email protected]) 

 

Saban Summer Research Fellowship – Deadline: April 12, 2026

The Saban Research Fellowship Program awards students up to $2,500 to complete six weeks of full-time research (40 hours per week) during the summer between MSI and MSII. Students must conduct research with a faculty mentor from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Open to currently enrolled MS1 Keck Students
For questions contact: Fiaba Zakarian ([email protected])

 

Gehr Student Innovators Research Fellowship – Deadline: March 13, 2026

The Gehr Student Innovators Research Fellowship Program trains students to create data-driven research to improve healthcare and advance health equity. The program awards students $2,500 to complete six weeks of full-time research (40 hours per week) during the summer between MSI and MSII. Students are also expected to stay involved with their research project for 6 months in total. Students conduct mentored healthcare quality improvement or a health services research project with a Gehr Center faculty or affiliate. Students will also receive training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and meet healthcare leaders in the Los Angeles community who are involved in leadership, advocacy, and systems improvement.

For questions contact: Alissa Maier ([email protected])

 

DC Global Health Policy Scholars Program – Deadline: February 27, 2026

Summer policy scholars will spend six weeks based at the Washington, DC Capital Campus contributing policy scholarship to an ongoing global health project. This project will be carried out in partnership with either a KSOM faculty member working to inspire federal policy or a Washington, DC-based health policy organization. The exact policy project will be determined after scholars have been selected, in discussion with the program’s faculty leads. Scholars will receive mentorship in health policy analysis and writing from IIGH-affiliated faculty, exposure to DC-based health policy actors and institutions, and opportunities to participate in local events and lectures. Upon completion of their time in Washington, DC, fellows will produce a scholarly output of publishable quality (e.g. policy brief, presentation, conference abstract, concept note, or systematic review).

Program Video 

For questions contact: Dr. Taylor Burkholder ([email protected])

 

Community Engagement Fellowship (CEF) – Deadline: April 1, 2026

This immersive summer program connects rising MS2 students with local community organizations to engage in meaningful, community-partnered research. Fellows work alongside a host community partner to address real-world challenges through hands-on projects that advance both community priorities and scholarly inquiry. Participants gain practical volunteer experience, benefit from dedicated faculty and community mentorship, and build essential skills through workshops. The program culminates in a final project symposium where fellows present their work and reflect on their impact. A summer stipend will be offered up to $3,000.

For questions contact: Juniper Estes ([email protected])

International Fellowships

Breman Global Health Fellowship – Deadline: TBD
The Breman Fellowship supports students pursuing summer global health research or service projects in partnership with faculty at USC or approved international organizations. Fellows will engage in immersive, hands-on work addressing critical health challenges in resource-limited settings around the world. Projects may range from public health research to program development and evaluation, with a strong emphasis on ethical engagement, sustainability, and local collaboration. Selected fellows will receive funding to support travel and living expenses, and are expected to work closely with a faculty mentor throughout the duration of their project. Upon completion, fellows will present their work in a scholarly format such as a poster, paper, or oral presentation.

For questions, contact: Dr. Taylor Burkholder ([email protected])

Dhablania and Kim Family Global Medicine and Health Fellowship – Deadline: TBD
The Dhablania and Kim Family Global Medicine and Health Fellowship supports Keck School of Medicine graduate, professional, and medical students—as well as residents—pursuing international research or study related to global health and medicine. Fellows undertake projects focused on addressing pressing population health needs in diverse settings, through research, clinical practice, or service. Funding of up to $6,000 is available to support travel, housing, and project costs. All travel must be completed by December 31, 2025, and participation in a 1-unit pre-departure training course is required prior to departure. Upon return, fellows are expected to present their work in a scholarly format.

For questions, contact: Mehak Kaur, MPH ([email protected])

Wondering which International fellowship is right for you? Click on the link below to look at the comparison between the two: Breman vs Dhablania & Kim

Other Research Opportunities

https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/osa/opportunities/m1-summer-opportunities.html