Duke CTSA TL1 Pre-Doctoral Scholarship

For third year Duke medical students who desire an intensive research experience

The Duke CTSA TL1 pre-doctoral scholarship program offers clinical and translational research experience and training for predoctoral students in medicine. The scholarship’s provision of research training enhances programs designed to expose students to clinical and translational research earlier in their careers.

The Duke CTSA TL1 provides individualized training through mentored research, didactic training, and professional development curricula.

Scholarship Details

The Duke CTSA Scholarship is a two-year scholarship, so scholars will graduate from medical school a year late. The scholarship will run from August 2024–August 2026. The application deadline is March 15, 2024.

Duke CTSA Scholarship Benefits Summary

  1. Scholarship stipend: The stipend is paid in monthly installments over the course of the scholarship.  Previous stipends have been $23,844 per year of study.

  2. Master’s tuition will be paid in full.

  3. Additional funds are applied towards health insurance costs and travel expenses to scientific meetings. Note: funding amounts are subject to NIH-specified spending limits.

  4. Research and study opportunities:

  5. Work with experienced, world-class clinical researchers.

  6. Conduct research of interest; however, research done for the CTSA scholarship must be clinical and/or translational in nature.

  7. Establish contacts and network opportunities at University and national levels.

Master’s Degree

The Duke CTSA TL1 scholarship will provide full tuition for scholars to complete a Master’s of Health Sciences in Clinical Research (through the Duke Clinical Research Training Program; please note a clinical project is required for this program). 

Stipend and other support

The scholarship provides a stipend for each full year of study. Previous stipends have been $23,844. The stipend will be paid in installments over 12 months and can be used for personal expenses as well as for Duke University tuition.

Master’s tuition will be paid in full.  Additional funds are available for insurance costs, research expenses, and travel expenses to scientific meetings. Please note that funding amounts are subject to NIH-specified spending limits.

Application Process

To Apply

  1. Secure mentor(s) and create a clinical or translational research project.

  2. Review all information regarding Duke Third Year Program Internal Scholarships.

  3. Follow the instructions to submit an application for Duke Internal Scholarships.

Application Deadline:  March 15, 2024

A complete TL1 application includes: 

  1. Completed Internal Duke Scholarship Application on MyResearchProposal

  2. Name, position/title, and email address of three (3) individuals other than the applicant’s primary mentor who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s accomplishments and/or research interests.

  3. A brief description clarifying the applicant’s role on the study.

Optional:  Applicants may also provide up to two (2) additional pages of information to the proposed research program question in the application.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

  • Applicant interviews: Interviews will be held in early April 2024

  • Award announcement: By May 6, 2024

Whom do I contact?

Eligibility Requirements

  • A doctoral student in good standing from the School of Medicine

  • Participants must not complete their doctoral degrees prior to completing the CTSA Scholarship period

  • A U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-citizen national of the United States (e.g. American Samoan); individuals on temporary visas are not eligible

CTSA Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions  

  • Is there a list of mentors from which I must choose?
    No. You may choose any mentor as long as he/she is approved by the Third Year Committee. As both the CTSA and CTSI scholarships are clinical research scholarships, your mentor should be active in clinical or translational research.  

  • Do I need letters of reference for the application?
    Reference letters are not required for the Scholarship application. However, you must provide name, position/title, and email address of three (3) individuals other than your primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests.

  • How many Duke CTSA Scholarships are awarded each year?
    For the Duke CTSA scholarship, we anticipate awarding 2-4 scholarships annually.

  • What makes a student a good candidate for the CTSA Scholarship?
    A student who is a good candidate for the CTSA scholarships is interested in clinical research, has a clinical or translational research project, and is considering making clinical research a part of his/her career.  

  • Can I talk to other students who have been CTSA scholars?
    Please contact Stephanie Molner if you would like to talk with previous scholars about their experience on scholarship, who can provide you with a list of prior scholars.

  • Can I do a 9 month or 10 month scholarship?
    No. The length of the scholarships is not flexible. The CTSA Scholarship is a 24-month scholarship. 

  • Can I take time off to study for the boards while on scholarship?
    Boards may be taken at any time during the scholarship. However, CRTP does not, as a program, allow time out of class for studying for the boards. Different classes have different attendance policies, and study time may be available depending on the discretion of the teachers of the particular classes in which scholars enroll. Dr. Edelman will work with individual scholars and teachers to create as much protected time for board study as is feasible. CTSA scholars should give strong consideration to taking the boards in the summer between the two years of coursework.  If there are further questions about this issue before you apply, please contact Dr. David Edelman.

  •  Can I do a clinical rotation while on scholarship?
    Clinical rotations are not permitted during the classroom semesters.

  • Will there be any group CTSA scholar meetings throughout the year?
    Yes. Throughout the scholarship year, CTSA scholars will periodically meet as a group to discuss their research and educational experiences. These meetings will be facilitated by Dr. Edelman. Scholars will also meet individually with Dr. Edelman to discuss their progress.

  • Who can I contact if I have questions about the scholarship?
    You may contact Stephanie Molner, CTSA Education Administrator or one of the Program Directors: David Edelman or Kevin Thomas. 

  • I want to pursue the Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research (MHSc).  Do I need to apply to the Duke Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) now?
    No. You will apply to the CRTP if you are awarded the CTSA or CTSI scholarship. The program administrator will provide specific directions regarding the CRTP application to those individuals awarded the scholarship.

This program is sponsored, in part, by the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Award, NIH Award number UL1TR002553. 

The CTSA is the NIH’s largest single investment in biomedical research. The awards are given to institutions to create academic homes for translational research. The goal is to address the development and implementation of national standards and best practices for the full range of translational medicine – from discovery science through clinical research and community health.