2012 Summer Global Health Project

First year medical students and MPH students may apply to participate in a GHTC Summer Project during the summer between their first and second years. Each year, the Mount Sinai Global Health Training Center provides awards for students to participate in a GHTC Summer Project at one of the GHTC partner sitess. These summer experiences include 8-10 weeks of field work and consist of a scholarly project, such as design, implementation or evaluation of a public health program. Students must be enrolled in the Global Health Prep Course to be eligible for a GHTC Summer Project. The application is competitive, and preference will be given to students with a demonstrated interest in global health. Students selected for the projects will be matched with a research mentor from the GHTC or other Mount Sinai departments, and will work over the winter and spring to design their research. Students undertaking GHTC Summer Projects will receive funding for travel, room and board, and project-related expenses. Students organizing a summer project independently ( ie at a non-GHTC site) should still follow the checklist for preparing for the summer project, and are responsible for notifying Dr. Suzy Bentley (suzannebentley@gmail.com) of their plans. Students may search through the External Elective Database for opportunities outside of the Global Health Center. Students pursuing projects independently are responsible for identifying their own Sinai and on-site mentor and will not receive funding from the GHC. Students can investigate external grant opportunities available for summer projects. Eligible students may also consider applying to the MSSM International Exchange Program for Minority Students. Students who are not pursuing a GHTC-funded summer project, must also obtain approval from their on-site mentor and fax or email to global.health@mssm.edu
APPLICATION PROCESS
  1. Preparation Consider your goals for the summer. A GHTC Summer Global Health project is geared towards students who want to pursue a career in global health. It is not meant to be primarily a language or cultural immersion experience. Review available 2012 Summer Global Health Project Descriptions.
  2. Application Students who would like to participate in a GHTC funded project must complete the Online Application . Applications will be open on October 14th. Submissions are due no later than November 11. Candidates will be notified by November 25.
  3. Evaluation/Selection Applications will be reviewed jointly by GHC faculty and advisors at host organizations, according to the following criteria:
    • students in good academic standing
    • availability for a full time commitment of 8-10 weeks
    • applicant skill set
    • cross-cultural, interpersonal and organizational skills
    • relevant public health and research experience
    • evidence of commitment to global health as a career path
    Candidates may also be asked to come in for an interview during the selection process. Applicants will be notified by email to schedule an interview.
  4. Notification Students will be notified by email if they are accepted. Selected students will be required to submit a signed and dated response form within one week of receiving notification to accept or decline the offer.

Students pursuing global health summer projects must complete the following checklist prior to departure:
  1. Students must attend the Global Health Prep Course in preparation for their summer placement projects. Successful applicants will be provided with further information on how to register for the course.
  2. Review the State Department's travel warnings. While a State Department travel warning does not necessarily preclude an elective in that country or region, it does require meeting with your mentor and/or global health center faculty (Suzy Bentley: suzannebentley@gmail.com) to discuss risks and benefits.
  3. Determine if you need a visa to visit the country.
  4. Confirm that your passport is up to date. If your passport is out of date, renew it immediately!
  5. Visit student health at least 5 months prior to departure to ensure adequate time for pre-trip vaccinations. Although not a replacement for visiting the clinic, you may obtain additional information about recommended health precautions at the Mount Sinai travel health clinic.
  6. Obtain SOS insurance by emailing global.health@mssm.edu with "SOS" in the subject line. Provide your birthdate, location you are traveling to, and dates of travel in the body of the email.
  7. Confirm that your health insurance covers emergent medical care in the region you'll be working and/or visiting.
  8. Consider getting a global phone.
  9. Fill out the Foreign Liability Coverage Form and drop it off at the GHC office on 12-21 Annenberg. Click here to download the form. All foreign liability coverage forms must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to project start date.
  10. Obtain IRB approval for project. For more information regarding the IRB application process for medical students, click here
  11. All students undertaking GH summer projects must email renee.bischoff@mssm.edu with the following info: name and contact email & phone number of emergency contact in the US, and name and email & phone number for on-site mentor

  12. Students will be asked to sign a waiver indicating personal responsibility for health and safety while on summer projects. The form will be emailed to you prior to your departure and a signed hard copy must be returned to Renee Bischoff (Annenberg 12-21)

  13. Students must attend a mandatory travel health/ safety and security seminar to be held in early Spring 2012. Exact date/time and location TBA. Stipend checks will be distributed at the seminar if all other prerequisites have been fulfilled.

After complete of the field work, students must complete the following:
  1. Medical students must submit an abstract and poster for Student Research Day
  2. All students must complete a post-trip evaluation form
    3. Click here to access the post-trip evaluation form.
Students may also have the opportunity to co-author papers for submission in peer-reviewed journals. See Student Authorship Criteria for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions I am a Mount Sinai student and am interested in pursuing a global health project this summer, but at a non-GHC partner site. Am I still eligible for GHC funding? No, the GHC summer awards are dedicated to only those who are accepted for a GHTC Summer Global Health Project. Students should review other external grant opportunities for funding sources. How much funding does the GHTC provide for students accepted for a GHTC Summer Global Health project? Generally, the GHTC provides $3500 for sites in Africa, $3000 for sites in Asia, $2500 for sites in Latin America, $2000 for sites in the US. Based on experiences with past students, these amounts traditionally cover most if not all travel (including airfare, ground transportation, and room and board) and project related expenses. However, students who require additional money to cover project related expenses may be eligible for increased funding - these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. If I am accepted, when will receive the award check? The global health award is distributed in two separate payments : the first award check will be the total stipend less $500 dollars and will be provided before the trip after all pre-trip requirements have been completed; the second award check for $500 will be provided after the trip after completion of the post-trip requirements (which includes poster submission to Student Research Day and completion of the post-trip evaluation form. What is the minimum requirement for field work? Students MUST commit to at least 8 weeks in the field. Typically students spend 8-10 weeks. In addition to the field work, are there any other requirements? Yes. Accepted students must participate in the Global Health prep course as well as submit a poster for Student Research Day(Fall 2012)