Priority will be given to Brown University undergraduate, graduate (masters and doctoral) and medical students who apply to the program. We will consider outside applicants with strong ties to Rhode Island and/or Brown University. Approximately 5 students will be selected.

Overview of the Research Scholars Program for Post-Baccalaureates

The Summer Scholars Program integrates research, clinical practice, public health efforts, and educational programs to provide students real world research experience and mentoring from national experts in child health and health services. Research areas addressed by the Scholars program include, but are not limited to:

• General child advocacy
• Child mental health
• Asthma and other respiratory conditions
• Substance use prevention
• Food insecurity & nutrition
• Marginalized youth
• Maternal depression prevention
• Addressing social determinants of health
• Implementation of evidence-based practices in community settings

Based on their research interests, scholars in the program will be matched with a faculty mentor (though students may also apply with a previously identified mentor). Scholars are expected to attend team research meetings and assist in research activities that may include:

• Conducting literature reviews
• Recruitment and consenting of research participants
• Abstract preparation
• Drafting policy briefs
• Data collection (e.g. phone surveys, qualitative interviews)
• Data analysis

Please see the list of past research projects at the bottom of this page.

To apply, applicants should submit the application form AND email the below materials to us.

• Current resume or CV
• Essay of up to 1,000 words describing:
  • Reasons for wanting to participate in the Research Scholars Program for Students
  • Topics of interest relevant to maternal and child health
  • How the internship relates to the applicant’s academic work, including relevant courses that have been taken and academic plans
  • How the internship will build toward a thesis or capstone project
  • Future career plans/thoughts
  • Please include your name and current degree program/concentration at the top of the essay
• The name of one Brown faculty mentor who will submit a letter of support on behalf ofthe applicant
• The letter of support must be emailed directly by the letter writer from their institutional
• A copy of the Brown University transcript

• The academic performance and future promise of the applicant
• The potential of the applicant to benefit from the Research Scholars Program
• The match of the applicant with the goals and activities of available mentors
• Preference for projects that build to a thesis or capstone project

Accepted applicants will be announced by the end of March. Please note that depending on the research project and mentor, scholars may be asked to complete IRB requirements prior to the start date of the internship to limit delays in onboarding.

The standard internship begins June 3, 2025 and runs through August 12, 2025. A commitment of 30 hours per week is required. Variations in this schedule will be considered for students with academic or other schedule issues. This should be requested at the time of application.

Past Summer Scholars project topics have included:

• Randomized and longitudinal testing of a digital intervention for collaborative mental health in the perinatal space
• Universal school-based mental health screenings
• Targeted messaging to address underutilization of the WIC program
• Health policy briefs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Estimating racial and economic disparities in gestational diabetes mellitus among AAPI individuals