UCSF-Stanford CERSI Diversity Scholars Program

Due to limited resources, this program is not currently accepting applications.

Overview

Many minority populations (with respect to ethnicity, race, age, disability, geography, etc.) often suffer a disproportionate burden of illness and death for many medical conditions, and continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials. Reducing health disparities and promoting health equity is an ethical and economic imperative, and UCSF-Stanford CERSI recognizes the value of diversity in education and healthcare.

To encourage a diverse workforce in regulatory science and promote research on issues of health equity, the UCSF-Stanford CERSI Scholars Program in Regulatory Science recognizes trainees at UCSF and Stanford University from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with a desire to serve culturally diverse and medically underserved populations, and those committed to working on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages them to seek opportunities to participate in and advance the field of regulatory science with a $1,500 award.

Trainees selected as UCSF-Stanford CERSI Scholars will become ambassadors for the UCSF-Stanford CERSI Diversity Scholars Program and will have the opportunity to explore regulatory science further and build their professional network by participating in CERSI activities. In addition, CERSI Scholars will be able to learn more about minority health and health equity through interactions with FDA's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) staff. Those selected as CERSI Scholars shall remain as CERSI Scholars until the completion of their educational program.

Program Requirements

Those selected as CERSI Scholars will receive a one-time award of $1,500 for research and education expenses. These funds will be available to CERSI Scholars on a reimbursement basis for expenses such as the purchase of research supplies, travel expenses to attend scientific meetings, publication fees, and related expenses. Expenses must follow University of California policies and receipts are required. CERSI Scholars may also attend UCSF-Stanford CERSI events for free, including the CERSI Immersion Course in Drug Discovery, Drug Development, and Regulation.

CERSI Scholars will be asked to participate in various CERSI activities throughout the year. They may meet with various FDA visitors, give presentations at some of our events, attend webinars and events hosted by FDA OMHHE and other Centers/offices, and participate in networking activities with CERSI Scholars from other institutions. Scholars will also be required to submit a progress report and budget status report describing their progress and explaining how they used the funds.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible, applicants must be a registered professional/graduate student in good standing or a postdoctoral fellow (including clinical fellows) at UCSF or Stanford University at the time the application is submitted. Scholars will be selected by CERSI faculty with input from the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. The following are required for a complete application:

  1. Applicant Information including full name, highest degree obtained, degree granting institution, current title and institutional affiliation, email address, cell phone number, and complete mailing address.
  2. Statement of interest (500 word maximum) describing their interest in regulatory science and how the CERSI Scholars Program can help their careers. Applicants should also include a paragraph describing their commitment to diversity.
  3. Curriculum vitae (5 page maximum)
  4. Names of three references with contact information.

 

The UCSF-Stanford CERSI Diversity Scholars Program is made possible by contributions from the Anne Wojcicki Foundation, Kathy Giacomini and Russ Altman and in kind support from the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE).