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Application materials must be submitted via the Merkin Graduate Fellows Program Application Form. Complete applications consist of the following:

• Application form
• CV
• Research proposal (max. 3 pages) describing the: 1) research to be performed, 2) desired research site, 3) length of education abroad (3 or 6 months), and 4) project deliverable the applicant expects to achieve during their time abroad (e.g. conference abstract, working paper, etc.). Proposals should make a clear connection between the research topic and how the work performed will advance research, theory, and/or practice in the field of translational medicine. The research proposal may also indicate if the proposed research is within the broader scope of the applicant’s overall thesis project. Applicants should pay particular attention to articulating the benefits of conducting their research at an international site, detailing how they expect this will enhance the quality of their research, its impact on medicine and healthcare, and their personal and professional growth. 
• Letter of nomination from the applicant’s PI/faculty advisor indicating their support for the applicant’s participation in this program. Nomination letters can be submitted as part of the application via the Merkin Graduate Fellows Program Letter of Recommendation form or via email to the Merkin Fellowship Program Manager at merkinfellowship@ucsd.edu.
• Optional letter of support from proposed host research mentor, if applicable.

Qualified UC San Diego PhD and MD-PhD students whose research aims to improve human health and longevity, including in fields broadly within the field of translational medicine, may be nominated to be considered for the Merkin Graduate Fellows award. We particularly encourage nominations made on behalf of students whose work and potential impact on the field of translational medicine would be enhanced by research abroad. Nominations can be submitted via the Prospective Merkin Graduate Fellow Nomination Form and will be directed to Giulia Hoffmann, Merkin Fellowship Program Manager, who will reach out to the nominee with more program information and to encourage the nominee to apply. If the student applies, the faculty advisor will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation. Nominators may submit nominations for more than one student (one form submission per student).

Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. For application deadlines, please see our website: merkinfellowship.ucsd.edu

Applications will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. The proposal clearly articulates how the proposed work will advance research, theory, and/or practice in the field of translational medicine;
2. The proposal articulates how conducting the research at the proposed international site will strengthen the quality of the research and increase its impact on medicine and healthcare;
3. The proposal articulates how conducting the research at the proposed international site will enhance the applicant's personal and professional growth; and
4. The proposal outlines a project deliverable that is realistic for the proposed time of research abroad.