Research at TUSDM

TUSDM students, residents, staff, and faculty

Research at TUSDM

Student Research Fellowship Program

About the Program

Dental students are awarded summer research fellowships on a competitive basis by the Research Committee to support research projects under faculty supervision each year. The School of Dental Medicine is committed to providing all interested students with opportunities to do research. Students are encouraged to get involved in research projects being conducted at the School, as well as at affiliated institutions.

Students are able to conduct research in a wide variety of disciplines and dental specialties. You can read the abstracts from past student and faculty research here.

Application to the Student Research Fellowship Program involves the submission of a complete research proposal which includes enough description to allow for objective evaluation of the project.

TUSDM provides varying levels of support for students awarded the research fellowship. Acceptance of the award requires participation in the Bates-Andrews Student Research Day. The Fellowship is limited to one student per project.

For additional information on how to apply, please see the section below on How to Apply, or contact Eileen Doherty, Director of Predoctoral Student Research, Eileen.doherty@tufts.edu, 617-636-6870.

Please check out this article covering Bates Andrews Research Day, which is the culmination of the Student Fellowship Program.

Eligibility
  • Applicants must be enrolled as a first, second, or third year DMD student at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
  • Applicants must be in good academic standing.
Application Dates

First-year students (D28):
Letter of intent: Friday, January 24, 2025
Online application: Monday, February 10, 2025
Research Proposal and Supplement due: Friday, March 28, 2025
Notifications sent to students: April 14, 2025

International (DI), Second- and Third-year students (D27 & D26):
Letter of intent: Friday, February 14, 2025
Online application: Friday, March 7, 2025
Research Proposal and Supplement due: Friday, April 25, 2025
Notifications sent to students: Friday, May 23, 2025

How to Apply
  1. Submit the Letter of Intent via email (eileen.doherty@tufts.edu.) or bring a hard copy to Dental Research Administration in DHS 742.
  2. Download and complete the complete the Student Research Fellowship Program Application form.
  3. Email the completed form to eileen.doherty@tufts.edu.
  4. The Faculty Support Letter must be signed by your faculty advisor, scanned and emailed to eileen.doherty@tufts.edu by the application deadline date.
  5. Once your complete application is received, you will receive an invitation to a Tufts CANVAS site to download your research proposal. Your research proposal must be downloaded by the proposal submission deadline. Incomplete or late applications and proposals will not be considered.

Selection Process

Submitted research proposals will be judged by members of the Faculty Research Committee. Judging criteria will include timeliness and significance of the research, the appropriateness of the study design, perceived feasibility, and organization and clarity of the written proposal.

Notification

Students will be informed of one of three outcomes:

  • The proposal was accepted for funding. Award notices will include the amount of stipend, information about the summer research mini-course, as well as due dates for progress reports, and presentation opportunities.
  • The Research Committee has recommendations for proposal revision. You must submit a revised proposal by the revision due date in order to be further considered for funding.
  • The proposal was denied funding. Students may continue the research without funding, as long as all IRB/IACUC approvals are in place.

Questions and Additional Information

For questions or additional application materials, contact:
Eileen Doherty, Director of Predoctoral Student Research
DHS 756
eileen.doherty@tufts.edu
(617) 636-6870