Who is Eligible to Serve as a Mentor?
Applications are welcome from all investigators who are interested
in becoming a mentor. Researchers with a demonstrated track record (as demonstrated through grant support and publication track records) in mental health and aging research are eligible to serve as mentors to student (predoctoral and medical student) applicants to the START-MH program. Mentors with federally funded research will be given the highest priority in the evaluation process.
What Level Students May Apply to the Program?
START-MH scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to
predoctoral and medical students. Students must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in aging and mental health research.
How Will Students be Compensated?
Students receive $6,250 stipend for the
10-week summer program dependent on the number of weeks worked. From this stipend,
students are responsible for their own meals, housing and travel expenses.
What is Required of Mentors?
Mentors are expected to provide appropriate research guidance to trainees. Mentors will also be required to evaluate the trainee and the START-MH program at the end of the summer. Mentors are expected to assist the trainee in writing an abstract based on the research performed.
What is Required of Students?
The program activities are rigorous and require a full time commitment (five days a week/ 40 hours per week). Students can not work outside the
program. At the end of the 10 weeks,
students are expected to provide a report of their summer activities including an abstract or paper based on their research.
Trainees will be asked to complete evaluations during and immediately
following the program and give annual progress reports.
Students will be asked about their mentors and their research experience.
All trainees will also be required to attend a START-MH Conference at UCSD
the first weekend of August (expenses paid) to present a poster on their research
project. |
