# NIDDK Medical Student Research Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $194,867

## Abstract

NIDDK Medical Student Research Program (DK-MSRP): Project Summary/Abstract
NIDDK created the NIDDK Medical Student Research Program (DK-MSRP) in 2009 to promote exposure of
medical students to research and career pathways involving diabetes, obesity, and metabolism. The Vanderbilt
Diabetes Research and Training Center (VDRTC) was asked to lead this program because of its experience
with a long standing medical student research program. This application, in response to the RFA for creating a
National Enrichment Program, proposes an enhanced DK-MSRP that engages medical students from around
the country in research and excites them about careers in discovery related to diabetes and its complications.
The DK-MSRP consists of: 1) Nation-wide application process available to students from all US medical
schools; 2) Matching of selected students with one of 15 NIDDK-supported Diabetes Research Centers; 3)
Student-conducted research at a NIDDK-supported Diabetes Research Center; 4) Enrichment activities to
educate students about diabetes and research opportunities; 5) National Research Symposium at the end of
the summer; 6) Robust program evaluation; 7) Short and long-term career follow up of student participants; 8)
Experienced administrative supervision, educational support, and advisory panel oversight; and 9) Synergy
with other NIDDK-funded programs. Since its inception in 2009, 550 students from more than 100 medical
schools have conducted research at one of the 15 NIDDK-supported Diabetes Research Centers during the
summer between their first and second years of medical school. This program, with its considerable diversity in
geography, ethnicity, and scientific area of research, has become a way to initiate research exposure for
students who might not otherwise pursue this career path. The VDRTC and the DK-MSRP propose these
specific aims: 1) Create and maintain an organizational structure that provides medical students with an in-
depth experience in scientific discovery; 2) Provide access to online educational materials and seminars on
bench, translational, and community research in diabetes and its complications; 3) Organize and host a
National Research Symposium for DK-MSRP students to present their work and engage with leaders in
diabetes research; 4) Develop networking skills and coaching for career development of DK-MSRSP students
to nurture future researchers in diabetes, obesity, and metabolism; 5) Develop a social media platform to track
students, monitor program outcomes, and create resources for trainees' continued involvement in clinical and
research careers in diabetes. Thus the DK-MSRP generates significant enthusiasm about diabetes research
and creates momentum toward a research career and is a key example of NIDDK-supported Diabetes
Research Centers and other NIDDK programs working together to train future leaders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168517
- **Project number:** 5P30DK020593-44
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ALVIN C POWERS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $194,867
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-12-01 → 2022-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168517

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168517, NIDDK Medical Student Research Program (5P30DK020593-44). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168517. Licensed CC0.

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