The UAB Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program, funded by an NIH NIAID R38 award, supports mentored research and career development activities for residents from UAB’s Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pathology, Surgery, and OB/GYN Residency Programs. Each year, up to 4 residents from those residency programs will be selected for UAB StARR based on their StARR application merits and will complete a 12-month program that includes: 1) research mentored by a UAB-affiliated faculty preceptor with an excellent mentoring track record and funding, and 2) career development activities leading to core competencies in research methodology, responsible conduct of research, communication of findings, scientific writing, and team science.
One or more aspects of the research must align with the NIAID mission, which includes research involving infection, immunology, and/or allergy. The ultimate goal of UAB StARR is to develop a group of highly motivated, well-trained, early-career physician-scientists who are prepared for a successful transition towards a career as an independent physician-scientist that includes research that supports the NIH NIAID mission.
UAB StARR Program provides participating residents with the following benefits:
- Mentored research and career development activities
- Salary support for participating in the 12-month program (that requires a minimum of 80% effort committed to research activities), with the possibility of support for an additional 12 months of participation in UAB StARR
- Up to $3,000 in travel funds to present research at domestic conferences and attend NIH-sponsored workshops
- Supplementary research funds of up to $16,000
- Future eligibility to apply for an individual NIH K38 award (limited to investigators who completed StARR)