Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion are Vital for Excellence (DRIVE) in Research Pathway
Accepting Faculty Mentor Applications
The MCHRI Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion are Vital for Excellence (DRIVE) in Research Pathway Award is intended to improve the diversity of the research workforce underrepresented in maternal and child health-related research while supporting mentorship and training.
MCHRI is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of our work supporting research, education and resources in maternal and child health. Diversity in research is a key component of innovation. It enhances the creative process by bringing to the table new concepts and points of view and contributes to a culture of transformative scholarship.
The DRIVE in Research Pathway Award is aimed at maintaining the pathway of diverse students interested in biomedical research careers. This award provides a stipend to underrepresented minorities (URM) and first-generation and/or low income (FLI) Stanford undergraduate students currently enrolled in their sophomore year to work over the coming summer with established investigators with either extramural funding or substantial MCHRI funding on maternal and child health related research projects.
Eligibility is limited to Stanford URM and/or FLI undergraduate students interested in biomedical research and interested in working with Stanford faculty during the Summer Quarter 2025.
Students must be available for 10 weeks from June 23, 2025 through August 29, 2025.
MCHRI is seeking faculty interested in providing research and mentorship opportunities to URM/FLI sophomore undergraduates.
Faculty mentors must be MCHRI members who hold MCL, UTL, NTL (Research) or CE positions. Applications from CE faculty are subject to approval by DRIVE leadership. All faculty mentors must be established investigators and experienced mentors who hold either extramural funding or MCHRI funding on maternal and child health-related research projects.
Student summer research projects must be relevant to maternal and child health. Please note that most students will have little or no prior experience of academic research. Summer research projects should provide opportunities for student research training and skills development.
Faculty who are interested in participating in the DRIVE Program for Summer 2025 may either:
- Submit a summer mentorship and research project plan to the faculty application form. The research project summary will be included in the DRIVE student project list. You will be invited to interview student applicants in February 2025, and you will be matched with a student who will join your research group for Summer Quarter 2025. The deadline for submitting a summer research project to the DRIVE student project list is November 12, 2024.
- Be nominated by an eligible student who already works with the faculty mentor, to continue their mentored research project in Summer 2025 with the DRIVE program. Faculty mentors should complete the faculty application form and submit a letter of support before the student application deadline (January 21, 2025).
FACULTY MENTOR APPLICATION DEADLINE
November 12, 2024
STUDENT APPLICATION DEADLINE
January 21, 2025
NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION
March 2025
PROGRAM PERIOD
June 23, 2025 - August 29, 2025
Forms for Applicants
Forms for Student Applicants
Students will receive a stipend of $8,000 for 10 weeks over the summer. The stipend includes the student housing supplement. Students may be eligible for an additional financial need-based supplement of up to $1500.
During the summer research experience, students are required to:
- engage in full-time research under the guidance and supervision of the faculty mentor
- attend weekly DRIVE student seminars
- participate in student training workshops and events
- present their research project in a poster symposium at the end of the internship
Stanford URM and/or FLI undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in their sophomore year, are interested in biomedical research and maternal and child health-related research. Stanford URM and/or FLI freshmen or juniors may also apply if they have had no prior research experience but have an interest in biomedical research opportunities. Students must be available for 10 weeks starting June 23, 2025.
Students will need to provide the following information in their application form:
- Contact Information
- Personal statement (300 words)
- Major (if declared) and list of undergraduate courses taken that are relevant to this opportunity
- Paragraph describing their interest in the faculty mentor research project(s) (300 words)
- Apply for up to 3 projects, list of projects can be found here. (COMING SOON).
Eligible students who are already mentored by a Stanford faculty member and a working on a maternal and child health-related project may apply to the DRIVE program to continue their research in Summer 2025. Students should list their current faculty mentor in their application. Faculty mentors will be prompted to submit supporting information through the faculty application form.
During February 2025, student applicants will be interviewed by faculty mentors as part of the selection process. Selected students will be notified of their faculty mentor matches in March 2025.
Please contact MCHRI Administration at drive-team@stanford.edu with any questions.