Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP)

The 2025 Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP) application is open. Application Deadline: Friday, January 17, 2025.

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The Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP) is a program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) that pairs students with an Mass General faculty preceptor to provide guidance and mentorship in a new or ongoing research project. The Mass General Center for Diversity and Inclusion founded the program in 1992 for students historically underrepresented in medicine (UiM)* who are interested in academic medicine and/or biomedical research. This year the program starts with the orientation on Monday, June 2, 2025, and ends on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Students are selected from a nationwide competition to participate in SRTP. Each student is assigned to a specific laboratory, clinical site, health policy, or health services research area where they undertake an original research project under the mentorship and guidance of a Mass General investigator. Assignments are carefully considered and are made with the student's research and career interests in mind. In addition to this unique research experience, students will gain knowledge through weekly seminars at MGH, attend career development workshops and networking events, and have opportunities for clinical shadowing.

In 2017, SRTP received the Program Award for Culture of Excellence in Mentoring from Harvard Medical School (HMS). The award recognizes efforts to foster innovation and sustainability in mentoring while building a culture of excellence in mentoring and provides an opportunity for others in the HMS community to learn from successful mentoring programs.

SRTP Eligibility Requirements

• Interest in pursuing a career in academic medicine or biomedical research
• Member of a group that is underrepresented in medicine (UiM)*
• Undergraduate junior or senior; rising first-year medical student; first-year medical student; graduate-school student; or post-baccalaureate student
• Attended/attending a college, graduate school or medical school in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
• US citizens or permanent residents
• Completed application:
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume or CV
  • Professional Photo
  • Two Letters of Recommendation written specifically for the program
  • All copies and original transcripts from college, graduate, and/or medical schools attend(ed) are necessary. (we prefer original transcripts, although copies are accepted, originals are a must if you are accepted)
    
    • Official transcripts must be uploaded to the SRTP Application system, we will not be able to collect mail or emailed transcripts.
      
      • If you are an undergraduate student, you must submit your undergraduate transcript for all schools attended.
      • If you are a graduate student, you must submit your undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
      • If you are in medical school, you must submit the transcripts from your undergraduate school and/or graduate school (if you attend graduate school) and the MS transcript if available, or a letter of good standing from your med school if an MS transcript is not available.
  • Letter of Good Standing
    • Only required for those in medical school if medical school transcripts are not yet available
• If accepted, proof of health insurance
• Commitment to working solely at Mass General for the duration of SRTP; students participating in other programs or employment responsibilities within the SRTP program dates are not eligible
• Availability to attend SRTP in its entirety

What SRTP Students Get

• Orientation in the first days of the program
• Weekly didactic seminars and career mentoring sessions
• Opportunities to network with student cohort, MGH trainees and leaders
• Mentorship from preceptors, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion staff, UiM trainees/faculty and hospital and departmental leadership
• Meals provided at many of the didactic sessions
• Financial support, which in past years has included:
  • Housing near Harvard Medical School (no cost to the student)
  • $5,000 living stipend for food and other necessities
  • Travel grants based on demonstrated need (FAFSA required)

What SRTP Students Do

• Prepare an abstract of their research project in first weeks of the program
• Prepare an oral presentation of their work at the end of the program
• Complete all program, hospital, and occupational health requirements (e.g., vaccinations)
• Have an incredible experience!

SRTP Applicant Timeline

Please review the SRTP Timeline.

How to Apply

1. Review the SRTP Timeline and consider if scheduling conflicts render your ineligibility for the program
   
   • Application Available: Thursday, October 24, 2024
   • Application Deadline: Friday, January 17, 2025
   • Notification of Acceptance: Mid-February, 2025
   • Program Starts: Monday, June 2, 2025
   • Program Ends: Thursday, July 24, 2025
2. Complete the online application and upload all supporting documents to your account in the SRTP Application

For more information, please review:

1. The SRTP Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
2. The SRTP Flyer (PDF)

If you find that your questions are not addressed by these resources, please email SRTP@mgh.harvard.edu and we will be glad to assist you.

Please apply here

SRTP Alumni Profiles

Class of 2024 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2022 | Class of 2021 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2018

* Underrepresented in medicine (UiM) for the purpose of this program are those individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group which has been considered by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to be underrepresented in biomedical research (relative to their numbers in the general population). These groups may include Latino/Hispanic, African-American/Black, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Natives, among others. Sources: AAMC, NIH and the NSF.