Diversity and Inclusion in Surgery – Colorectal Opportunity in Research – DISCOveR Program Grant

The DISCOveR Program offers a unique summer research opportunity for medical students from diverse backgrounds, aiming to promote inclusivity in surgical careers. Sponsored by the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, this four-week program includes mentorship, hands-on research projects, and networking opportunities. Students will receive funding to cover expenses, ensuring accessibility for those from historically underrepresented groups in the sciences. This initiative supports the development of future leaders in colorectal surgery.

Note: If the grant application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted the following business day. Please note: The Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons will not accept proposals submitted after the deadline.
The primary mission of the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is to raise and award funds to support and advance research related to colorectal disease. Over more than twenty years, the Research Foundation has awarded over $6 million to colorectal surgeons and researchers to investigate a broad spectrum of colorectal diseases and to develop novel surgical techniques pertinent to the care of colorectal patients.
Diversity and Inclusion in Surgery - Colorectal Opportunity in Research – DISCOveR
The DISCOveR Program is a research-intensive summer training program for medical students interested in pursuing surgical careers, sponsored by the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). The program is specifically designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences including those who are members of groups historically underrepresented in the sciences, first in their families to achieve higher education, from inner city or rural communities, or economically underprivileged. The program is designed to complement a medical student’s formal medical school education.
The program objectives are for the students to:
Participate in didactic and experiential training in scholarship, career development, and clinical exposure in person or remotely.Engage in a mentored pre-designed colorectal surgery research experience identified and guided by the medical student’s mentor culminating in a presentation at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Annual Scientific Meeting. Develop mentor relationships and participate in networking opportunities.Join a community of like-minded scholars.
Program Description and Funding
The program will be four (4) weeks in length. Accepted students will be matched with a colorectal surgeon who has volunteered to serve as a mentor for a medical student participating in the program. The program will include a mentored, pre-designed colorectal surgery research project. Each student will be assigned a research mentor from within the surgery department who will oversee the student’s participation in a short-term research project. The projects will be identified based upon feasibility for completion during the fellowship.
If possible, students will receive exposure to a surgical skills lab and bio skills experience. There will be weekly didactic sessions with colorectal surgeons covering topics on leadership, advocacy, career development, application strategies, and opportunities within academic surgery. These sessions will be virtual so that students at both sites may attend.
Participation in the program, including the experience and the Annual Scientific Meeting, is unpaid. The Research Foundation will provide each selected medical student with up to $5,000 to help cover transportation expenses to and from the site, meals, and housing during the four-week experience. In connection with the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting, the Research Foundation will provide selected medical students with up to $500 to help cover travel expenses (i.e., coach airfare or, if less expensive, rail transportation or personal vehicle mileage at the IRS mileage rate), and up to two (2) hotel nights at the convention hotel while the medical student attends the Annual Scientific Meeting and registration for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting.

Eligibility

Medical students from diverse backgrounds and experiences including those who are members of groups historically underrepresented in the sciences, first in their families to achieve higher education, from inner city or rural communities, or economically underprivileged are encouraged to apply to the programTo be considered for the program applicants must:Be enrolled and in good standing in a U.S. allopathic or osteopathic medical school.Have completed the first year of medical school at either a U.S. allopathic or osteopathic medical school.Have demonstrated interest in surgery.Be able to provide evidence of appropriate vaccinations.