2010 Summer Global Health Project

First year medical students may apply to participate in a GHC Summer Project during the summer between their first and second years.

Each year, the Mount Sinai Global Health Center provides awards for medical students to participate in a GHC Summer Project at one of the GHC 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 Seminar Series to be eligible for a GHC 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 GHC or other Mount Sinai departments, and will work over the winter and spring to design their research. Students undertaking GHC Summer Projects will receive funding for travel, room and board, and project-related expenses.

2010 Summer Global Health Project Descriptions

Online Application

Students organizing a summer project independently ( ie at a non-GHC site) should still follow the checklist for preparing for the summer project, and are responsible for notifying Dr. Sigrid Hahn (sigrid.hahn@mssm.edu) 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 ownSinai 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.



APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Preparation

    Consider your goals for the summer. A GHC 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 GHC Summer Global Health projects.

  2. Application

    Students who would like to participate in a GHC funded project must complete the online application.

    Applications will be open on November 2nd. Submissions are due no later than November 16th.
    Candidates will be notified by December 1st.

  3. Evaluation/Selection

    Applications will be reviewed jointly by GHC faculty and advisors at host organizations, according to the following criteria:

    • first year medical 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 Seminar 2009-2010 in preparation for their summer placement projects. If you are not enrolled please contact Jenifar Chowdhury (jenifar.chowdhury@mssm.edu) immediately to review your eligibility to apply for a GHC Summer Project.
  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 (sigrid.hahn@mssm.edu) 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 13-30 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. Students who are not pursuing a GHC-funded summer project, must also obtain approval from their on-site mentor and fax or email to global.health@mssm.edu
  11. Obtain IRB approval for project. For more information regarding the IRB application process for medical students, click here
  12. Students who are not applying for a GHC Summer Project and are taking on an independent project, can apply for external grants. For a list of external grant opportunities, click click here
  13. All students undertaking GH summer projects must email jenifar.chowdhury with thefollowing info: name and contact email & phone number of emergency contact in the US, and name and email & phone number for on-site mentor
  14. 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 Jenifar Chowdhury


Frequently Asked Questions

I am a Mount Sinai first-year medical 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 GHC Summer Global Health Project. Students should review other external grant opportunities for funding sources.

How much funding does the GHC provide for students accepted for a GHC Summer Global Health project?
Generally, the GHC 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.