Medical Student Summer Research Training Program (MSSRTP)

Diverse Team of Specialists work in Advanced Lab — Faculty of Medicine

Research and Innovation - RO

Medical Student Summer Research Training Program (MSSRTP)

The Faculty of Medicine Research Office Medical Student Summer Research Training Program (MSSRTP) is open to medical students enrolled in their first or second year. Those selected will spend 10 weeks during the summer training closely with their supervisor on a research project, which will be presented at the fall MSSRTP Day (date to be confirmed in July).

Overview

The MSSRTP is a research training bursary in which supervisors submit a project and may either pre-select a student or interview candidates; once a supervisor–student pairing is confirmed, it undergoes peer review and is ranked based on the project’s alignment with the student’s career goals and the feasibility of the proposed training plan within program parameters. The projects span the gamut of research domains across the faculty: clinical, translational, basic science, quality improvement, education, etc. The skills gained in this program provides medical students with experience and skills to support their clinical and research career development.

All faculty members with a primary academic appointment to the Faculty of Medicine at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor (PhD or MD) are eligible to submit a project to this program and supervise a summer medical student. Adjunct Professors & Lecturers are not eligible for this program.

Key Dates

Supervisor applications due January 15 at 23:59 ET
Portal opens for student expressions of interest January 21
Student expression of interest due January 25 at 23:59 ET
Students applications due March 15 at 23:59 ET
Notices of decision sent in April

Full MSSRTP Terms of Reference

The MSSRTP Terms of Reference is the primary resource for eligibility requirements, application instructions, program policies, and participant responsibilities.

Application Portal

All applications must be submitted through the University of Ottawa's SurveyMonkey Apply portal.

The MSSRTP provides medical students with an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on research experience, develop research skills, and work closely with Faculty of Medicine researchers while contributing to impactful health research.

Please note: This Quick Guide is intended as an overview. The MSSRTP Terms of Reference remains the primary resource for eligibility requirements, application instructions, program policies, and participant responsibilities. All applications must be submitted through the University of Ottawa's SurveyMonkey Apply portal.

How the Program Works

1. Faculty Members Submit Research Projects (Step 1)

Faculty of Medicine professors submit a summer research project and identify whether it aligns with any priority funding areas, including Cardiology, Oncology, Psychiatry (Mach-Gaensslen Foundation), Social Accountability (Social Accountability Office), and/or Research Institute affiliation.
Faculty members will also indicate whether they have pre-selected a student for their project.
Projects without a student will be posted for Step 2: Expressions of Interest.

2. Students Explore Opportunities (Step 2)

A link containing all available project proposals will be provided to all first- and second-year students a few days after PI project proposals have been submitted. The Expression of Interest (EOI) portal will open two days later, allowing students to submit their EOIs for projects of interest.
Eligible first and second-year uOttawa medical students review available research projects and submit a CV and an Expression of Interest (EOI) for projects that match their interests and career goals.
Students who have been pre-selected by a supervisor do not need to submit an EOI.
- Instead, the supervisor will directly identify and match the student to their project proposal through the submission portal.
Once the EOI period closes, supervisors review applications from students via their EOIs and CVs, interview prospective candidates using EDI best practices, and select the student who is the best fit for their research project.
- The selected student is added to the supervisor's application in the submission portal.

3. Full Application Submission (Step 3)

Supervisors and selected students work together to complete and submit the full MSSRTP application through the online portal.
Supervisors and pre-selected students will also complete and submit the full application together during this step.
At this step, students in the MD Family Medicine Focus will self-identify.

4. Peer Review and Funding Decisions

Applications are evaluated through a competitive peer-review process by faculty and community reviewers.
Funding decisions are based on the quality of the research project and the training opportunity provided to the student.

5. Summer Research Experience

Successful students participate in a 10-week research training program under the supervision of a Faculty of Medicine researcher.
Students gain hands-on experience in research methods, data analysis, scientific communication, and knowledge dissemination.

7. Presentation Day

At the conclusion of the program, students are required to present their research findings at the MSSRTP Presentation Day. All supervisors (or their delegates) will be evaluators.

Who Can Apply?

Faculty Supervisors Eligibility

Hold a primary academic appointment in the Faculty of Medicine at the level of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors
Be eligible to supervise undergraduate students
Maintain good standing in their department

Please note Adjunct Professors and Lecturers are not eligible to apply to this program.

Medical Student Eligibility

Be enrolled in the first or second year of the University of Ottawa Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
Applicants to the Family Medicine funding stream must be enrolled in the MD Family Medicine Focus

Key Responsibilities

Successful supervisors must:

Agree to submit only one MSSRTP project and supervise one MSSRTP student per year
Use EDI best practices in research design, interview process, training and mentorship
Commit to reviewing applications in March/April as part of the program’s evaluation process
Ensure the project will follow all the required ethics procedures, including having approval before the project commences (if required)
Contribute $2,500 to the program (an invoice will be provided)
Have the necessary time and resources to train students through the summer studentship
Serve as a judge at the MSSRTP Presentation Day

Successful students must:

Agree to only receive funding for one project each summer (i.e., a student cannot hold concurrent research summer stipends).
Participate fully in the 10-week research training program
Complete project activities and training requirements
Comply with all program requirements
Present their research findings at MSSRTP Presentation Day