The ASCI PSSF Fellowship is a fully funded medical school gap-year opportunity for MD-only students to engage in rigorous, immersive training with research mentors. Previously known as the Physician-Scientist Support Foundation Medical Scholars Research Fellowship (PSSF MSRF), the ASCI PSSF Fellowship continues to offer a 12-month training experience in biomedical research under the supervision of a principal investigator mentor.
The Fellowship is overseen by the ASCI Council and supported by the former PSSF board members, who continue their role as stewards and ambassadors of the Fellowship by serving as the ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee.
The ASCI awards five PSSF Fellowships annually. Candidates propose research projects and, if selected, conduct laboratory research under the close guidance of their respective mentors. Fellowships are awarded based on the applicant’s potential to maintain their research trajectory and become a physician-scientist.
With these awards, the ASCI seeks to encourage and inspire emerging physician-scientists through participation in the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting, and virtual community activities throughout the year.
Nominations for the 2027–2028 Fellowships are now open, click here for more information.
An eligible ASCI PSSF Fellow nominee:
- is a single-degree allopathic (MD), osteopathic (DO), or equivalent medical student interested in a dual career in research and patient care. They may not be enrolled in a combined MD/PhD program or a PhD, PharmD, or ScD program, or have completed a PhD, PharmD, or ScD in a laboratory-based science.
- may apply during any year of their medical school studies; applicants in the last year of school must defer graduation until the completion of the fellowship year.
- can commit to 12 months of continuous, full-time laboratory research with minimal interruptions.
- meets the citizenship eligibility requirements to be employed at the institution where they will conduct their ASCI PSSF Award research.
- is not required to have prior laboratory research experience.
The ASCI PSSF Fellow Nominee must:
- secure a mentor with active research programs, sustained external grant support, a strong record of training students, and the time and interest to train the applicant. When research mentors are not ASCI members, the nominee must be identified by their medical school dean.
- develop a research plan in consultation with their research mentor — who will directly supervise the proposed research — and make arrangements to work in the mentor’s laboratory. The ASCI will not make these arrangements, though staff can assist with finding potential ASCI members to work with.
- propose a research project in the basic, translational, or applied biomedical sciences. The ASCI PSSF Fellowship does not fund clinical, health services, or health policy research at this time.
- submit all application components online by January 5, 2027. Materials include: a brief biographical statement, comprehensive research plan, and a statement of support, trainee table, CV, and biosketch from the research mentor. Nominees may invite a statement of support from one other supporter, this individual does not have to be an ASCI member.
- choose an academic or nonprofit research institution in the United States as their fellowship institution. It need not be the student’s medical school but cannot be a government laboratory.
ASCI PSSF Fellowship Nomination Process:
- Nominees must be identified by their medical school dean or an ASCI member research mentor.
- Institutions may nominate more than one candidate, but only (1) one finalist will be selected per institution.
- Medical school deans submit the nominee’s name and email address to programs@the-asci.org. The nominee’s research mentor submits nomination materials via a secure portal.
- ASCI member research mentors submit their nomination through their ASCI member portal.
- Nominees may identify one other supporter, this individual does not have to be an ASCI member.
ASCI PSSF Fellowship Selection Process:
- Fellowship candidacy is evaluated based on the feasibility and scientific rigor of the proposed research project, as well as the candidate’s strength of commitment and potential to successfully advance as a physician-scientist.
- Quality of training is evaluated through the research plan and information provided in the mentor’s endorsement, including the mentor’s research qualifications, e.g., expertise and publication record in the research area, and external grant support to fund the research project for the entire proposed fellowship term.
- The review committee evaluates the potential impact of the research experience and how it would further the applicant’s development in relation to the level of any previous research experience.
The ASCI PSSF Fellowship includes:
- a $42,000 stipend and an additional allowance of $8,000 for health insurance and travel expenses.
- access to a monthly seminar series with ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee mentors and special guest speakers.
- a mid-year celebration to present fellowship research findings.
- complimentary registration to the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting including invitations to our:
- Small Group Dinner with the ASCI PSSF Advisory Committee,
- Early-Career Award Welcome Reception,
- ASCI Dinner and New Member Induction Ceremony,
- Food & Science Evening, and
- ASCI/AAIM/BWF Research Pathway Directors Workshop.
- Access to the ASCI’s virtual community programming, including:
- Scientific-Sessions — a virtual spotlight, held every two months, on distinguished investigators and their contributions to the field of biomedical research,
- peer review groups and near-peer mentoring opportunities, and
- activities on various biomedical topics led by established physician-scientists
Contact
For information or questions, contact us at programs@the-asci.org.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay for this program?
No. In addition to tuition, fellows are provided funds for health care and conference travel
Note — The mentor’s institution can choose to supplement the stipend with internal funding, for example, if they are located in a high-cost-of-living city.
How will the funds be transferred from the ASCI?
$42,000 of funds will be transferred as a grant to the fellow’s host institution, and the remaining $8,000 stipend for health insurance and travel expenses will be disbursed to the fellow in a lump sum. The total grant amount is $50,000 per year.
Is a 12-month commitment required?
Yes. You must commit to 12 concurrent months of your time.
Is health insurance provided?
No. Fellows will be awarded $8,000 for health insurance and travel to the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting.
Is travel required?
Yes. Complimentary registration and program access to the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting is included in the fellowship. The 2027 Joint Meeting will take place in Chicago, April 9–12.
Can I apply if I am not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States?
Yes; however, you will need to meet eligibility requirements to be employed at the institution where you will conduct your ASCI PSSF Award research.
Can the fellowship institution be located outside the US?
No. You must choose an academic or nonprofit research institution in the United States as your fellowship institution. It need not be the student’s medical school but cannot be a government laboratory.
Am I eligible to apply if I have no laboratory research experience?
Yes. We recognize the journey to becoming a physician-scientist is long and often needs an accelerator to begin. To be eligible for this program, applicants must propose a mentored research project in the basic, translational, or applied biomedical sciences and discuss why they are interested in biomedical research in their personal statement.
Who should write my letter of recommendation?
Instructions will be updated by September 2026.
How will applications be evaluated?
Your fellowship candidacy will be evaluated based on the feasibility and scientific rigor of your proposed research project, as well as the strength of your commitment and your potential to successfully advance into a career as a physician-scientist. Quality of training is evaluated through the research plan and information provided in the mentor’s endorsement, including the mentor’s research qualifications, e.g., expertise and publication record in the research area, and external grant support to fund the research project for the entire proposed fellowship term.