Research and scholarly activity are central pillars of inquiry-driven medical student education and professional development at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We invite current and prospective students to explore the ways our curriculum emphasizes research activity throughout one's medical education.
Area of Scholarly Concentration (AOSC)
This rigorous curriculum helps students develop their research skills and contribute to the field of medicine through hypothesis-driven, longitudinal projects — culminating in a first author manuscript submission or a research thesis.
Research Intensive Scholarly Emphasis (RISE)
The RISE program offers students a fully funded year to conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced faculty, with intensive support provided throughout.
T35 Summer Program
The T35 Summer Program offers M1 medical students a funded summer opportunity to conduct research in the fields of diabetes, endocrinology, obesity, digestive diseases, kidney diseases, urological diseases and nutrition.
Research Timelines & Key Dates
Research Time for M1 Summer
| Program | Timing of Research Effort | Duration of Dedicated Full-Time Effort | Application Deadline | Number of Expected Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOSC | M1 summer (required 4 weeks) plus time throughout all phases as necessary to complete | 4 weeks minimum | Spring | N/A |
| T35 | M1 summer | 8 to 10 weeks | Winter | 8 |
Research Time for M2-M4 Years
| Program | Timing of Research Effort | Duration of Dedicated Full-Time Effort | Application Deadline | Number of Expected Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RISE | Extra year after M2 or M3 year | 1 year | Winter | TBD, historically 10-15 |
| Research Electives | Flexible time throughout M3-M4 years | 2 weeks to 12 weeks | Rolling (must be scheduled in OASIS and approved) | N/A |
Note: AOSC can be done on its own or in combination with T35. The T35 project counts as an AOSC project.