Education & Training Opportunities

Summer Scholar Research Program

The Health Services Research Center Summer Scholar Research Program is a 6-week mentored program for high school, college and medical students. The primary goal of this program is to expose students to medical research, specifically health services research, while also providing opportunities for them to explore their interests in health-related careers. Scholars will be paired with a mentor to work on an individual or group research project. At the end of the 6-week program, scholars will present their research findings at a mini symposium. In addition to their research project, scholars will attend seminars and networking events to learn more about their career interests and options.

Learn more about the 2024 summer scholars and their research projects in our student created e-book.

2025 Application Information 

Application Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025 (11:59 pm)

The Health Services Research Center is accepting applications from high school, college and medical students for a 6-week mentored summer scholar research program in health services research beginning in June 2025 (June 9 – July 18, 2025). This program will admit up to ten scholars following a competitive selection process. The primary goal of this program is to expose students to medical research, specifically health services research, while also providing opportunities for them to explore their interests in health-related careers. Scholars will be paired with a mentor to work on an individual or group research project. At the end of the 6-week program, scholars will present their research findings at a mini symposium. In addition to their research project, scholars will attend seminars and networking events to learn more about their career interests and options.

What is Health Services Research?

Health services research is a multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that examines how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and personal behaviors influence access to healthcare, the quality and cost of care, and ultimately our health and well-being. Its research domains include individuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities and populations.

Who Can Apply?

• Students must be 16 years or older on June 1 of the program year. Students 18 years or younger will need a parent or guardian’s approval.
• Students must be in good academic standing (typically 3.0 or higher GPA) and have an interest in health-related careers and research.
• First-generation college students and those with limited access to medical research at their current institutions are encouraged to apply.
• High school and college students in their junior or senior year during the next school year, as well as the first year of medical school, will be given preference.

How to Apply?

To apply for this program, please complete the online application form which includes:

1. Name and contact information
2. Interest in program questions
3. School transcript – Unofficial transcripts such as electronic student copy accepted
4. Letter of Recommendation(s)
   • High school applicants are only required to provide one letter of recommendation from either a guidance counselor or a science teacher.
   • College and medical school students are required to provide two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) faculty member.
5. Current Curriculum Vitae (college and medical students only)

Program Expectations

• Scholars will be paired with a mentor to work on an individual or group research project. The project will vary based on the mentor assigned.
• Active, engaged learning and participation in activities provided by the mentor.
• Attend all virtual and in-person seminars and networking events.
• Present research findings at a mini symposium on the last day of the program.

Stipend & Certificate of Participation

Students who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Participation and stipend. High school students will receive a $1,500 stipend, and college and medical students will receive $2,500. Students are required to attend all seminars and complete the final presentations by July 18, 2025 to receive the stipend and certificate. The program is unable to assist students with travel or housing arrangements if needed.

Download Application

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Foundations of Health Services Research Certificate Program

The Foundations of Health Services Research is a postgraduate certificate summer program designed to provide knowledge and skills to early-career physicians and clinicians interested in conducting health services research. The primary goal of this 3-week intensive, fast-paced and in-person program is to provide learners with the fundamentals of health services research methodology as well as broad skills to pursue innovative, transdisciplinary and team science in a mentored research environment. Senior clinical fellows and junior faculty (instructor or assistant professor engaged in education, research or clinical care and is within the first seven years of faculty appointment) with high potential and commitment to health services research affiliated with a clinical academic department are encouraged to apply. The program curriculum includes core modules in biostatistics and epidemiology; specialist modules in dissemination and implementation science, health disparities and inequities, and healthcare quality and safety; methodology workshops in administrative dataset analysis, economic evaluation, knowledge translation, meta-analysis, mixed methods, qualitative methods and spatial analysis; career development seminars and research proposal presentations.

2025 Application Information

Application Information for UH and External Applicants

UH applicants can learn more on how to apply at the UH Digital Workplace.

External applicants, please download the 2025 Application.

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Career Development Award Grant Writing Workshop Series

The Career Development Award Grant Writing Workshop Series is offered each spring to faculty who intend to submit a Career Development Award focusing on health services research. The series consists of seven 2-hour virtual sessions per month from June to December. The workshop will be led by successful extramural-funded investigators with structured assignments and a mock study section the following January. Participants are required to draft and revise grant materials by the deadline using expert feedback, facilitator guidance and peer critique.

How to Apply

Participants are selected through a competitive application process and must submit their NIH Biosketch as well as the biosketch from their potential primary mentor, provide three aims with hypotheses and brief methodological approaches and a letter of Support from their primary mentor.