UCSF-Stanford CERSI Diversity Scholars Program

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 $2,500 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 for two years, after which the funding will no longer be available to the Scholar. They will then submit a brief statement about how the funds helped facilitate their scholarship.

Program Requirements

Those selected as CERSI Scholars will receive a one-time award of $2,500 for research and education expenses. These funds can be reimbursed for expenses including but not limited to research supplies (e.g., data acquisition costs, laboratory supplies/equipment, statistical software purchase), scientific meeting travel and accommodations, and journal publication fees for a duration of two years. 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 their scholarship, including the annual CERSI Innovations in Regulatory Science Summit. 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 registered professionals/graduate students in good standing or postdoctoral fellows (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, institutional affiliation, email address, cell phone number, and complete mailing address.
2. Statement of interest (500 words maximum) describing their interest in regulatory science, how the CERSI Scholars Program can help their careers, and how they plan to implement the funds. Applicants should also describe their commitment to diversity.
3. Curriculum vitae (5 page maximum)
4. Names of three references with contact information.

Five CERSI Scholars will be selected based on their interest in regulatory science, commitment to diversity, and academic scholarship (e.g., research productivity, etc.).

How to Apply

Instructions for how to apply will be available in late 2024.

Timeline

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by UCSF/Stanford faculty.

The UCSF-Stanford CERSI Diversity Scholars Program is made possible by in-kind support from the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE).

Contact

Please email Holly Ly ([email protected]) with any questions.