Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research and Training (MHIRT) Program Study Abroad Research Internship Award
Sponsored by the Center for International Rural and Environmental Health (CIREH),the Iowa Biosciences Advantage (IBA) Program, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Purpose of Award
Because of the significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality and survival rates in minority populations as compared to the health status of the general population, there is a national need for increasing the number of well-trained minority scientists in the fields of biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and health services research.
Eight undergraduate awards and two graduate/professional awards are available to enable minority students and students from medically-underserved rural or urban areas to gain international research experience in a health-related field. Students enrolled in a degree-seeking program [at the time of application] at the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa, who demonstrate interest in research pertinent to reducing and/or eliminating health disparities are eligable for the MHIRT Program.
Components of the MHIRT Program:
Collaborating Programs
- Center for International Rural and Environmental Health
- Iowa Biosciences Advantage Program
- The Iowa Biosciences Advantage (IBA) program mission is to maximize diversity in the biosciences. Science majors with an interest in diversity gain research experience with cutting-edge faculty and benefit from professional development seminars and a strong community of people with similar interests. CIREH and IBA have teamed up their resources in order to recruit and place qualified students interested in the health sciences in exciting international research internships.
- National Institutes of Health
Site Locations
Former MHIRT Trainees
Eligibility
- Participants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence (i.e. possess a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or other legal verification of such status). Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (e.g. American Samoa). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to participate in the MHIRT program.
- Participants must be from health disparities populations that have been determined to be under-represented in basic science, clinical, biomedical or behavioral health research, including, but not limited to: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and the medically underserved (i.e., socio-economically disadvantaged individuals in rural and urban areas). For more information on the definition of a medically underserved area, please contact our office or refer to the HRSA website: http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov/HPSASearch.aspx.
- Undergraduates must have completed three years of coursework in a major related to biomedical or behavioral health science.
- Participants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa, or provide proof of imminent acceptance to a degree-seeking program at the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa, at the time of submission of the MHIRT application.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0.
- Undergraduate and graduate/professional students with senior status are eligible provided they are able to comply with the obligations (stated below) to MHIRT.
- PLEASE NOTE-- the following:
- Students must be enrolled at either the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa
- Priority considerations shall be given to students that can demonstrate financial need (e.g. copies of need-based awards and/or of University financial aid award letter)
Obligations to MHIRT
- Students will designate a faculty mentor from the University of Iowa or their home institution. This faculty mentor will serve to oversee student activities and provide academic counsel and support during the student's internships abroad.
- Students must complete a course in responsible conduct in research (such as 650:270:001-- Responsible Conduct in Research, or an equivalent course) prior to the internship departure date.
- Should a participant choose to conduct research involving human subjects of their own design (rather than participate in an on-going, already approved project coordinated by the international host institution), s/he must complete and IRB application and receive IRB approval prior to the internship. Note: this process can be lengthy! If you are considering conducting research with human subject, please contact our office as soon as possible for further information about this process.
- Students must comply with mandatory pre-departure activities, such as orientations and training regarding research involving human subjects.
- During the semester following project completion, students must present their research results as a means of sharing information and experiences, typically at a seminar arranged by IBA and CIREH.
- Students must complete a 10 page paper describing their research projects or internship experiences.
- Students must complete a program evaluation, both written and in person, with a MHIRT staff member.
Terms of the Award
- Duration: The summer internship will last for a minimum of ten weeks and a maximum of twelve.
- Covered Expenses:
- Round trip airfare
- Stipend-$33/day (about $1,000 per month)
- Housing costs at host institution
- Passport, immunization, and insurance expenses
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be read and evaluated by MHIRT application committee members and awards will be made based on how well they meet the following criteria:
- Appropriateness of assignment/project to the trainee's academic level and career plans.
- A demonstration of background knowledge of research and/or technical skills for acquiring, processing and interpreting information to be gathered.
- Priority will be given to those who are interested in research pertinent to reducing and/or eliminating health disparities.
- Students who demonstrate financial need.
Click here for MHIRT application
Questions can be directed to:
Kristina Venzke
University of Iowa
100 Oakdale Campus, A103
Iowa City, IA 52242-5005
319/335-4135
kristina-vanzke@uiowa.edu
OR
Jodi Linley
Iowa Biosciences Advantage
24E Phillips Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-335-7830
jodi-linley@uiowa.edu