Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Frequently Asked Program Questions

Scroll below for General, Eligibility, Non-Matriculated, Financial, and International FAQs.

Also see Application Instructions & FAQs.

General FAQs

How does the DDCF define “clinical research”?

For the purposes of this award program, clinical research is defined as research conducted with human subjects with direct application to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any human disease, including studies on the etiology and pathogenesis of human disease; therapeutic interventions; clinical trials; epidemiological studies; disease control research; and operations and implementation research. The foundation does not support experiments that utilize non-human animals or primary tissues derived from animals.

At what year do most students participate in this program?

Most students participate after completing their third year of medical school training.

What is the minimum amount of time I will be required to devote to this program?

You must be enrolled for 12 consecutive months.

When does the Clinical Research Fellowship start and end?

In general, the CRF period begins no earlier than July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year. Schools may vary these dates based on their school calendars. Please check with the CRF school(s) of interest for their exact dates.

Is it acceptable to apply to more than one CRF school?

This is a very competitive program. If you are seriously interested in participating in the CRF program, it is strongly encouraged that you apply to more than one CRF school. You are not penalized for applications to more than one school.

Are there any opportunities to work internationally as part of the Clinical Research Fellowship program?

Six schools offer international fellowships in developing countries: Details

Eligibility FAQs

I am currently a medical student at a school outside the U.S. Am I eligible to apply to the DDCF CRF program?

No, only students currently attending a U.S. medical school are eligible to apply.

I am an international student on an F-1 visa and I am matriculated at a U.S. medical school. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. If you are enrolled at a U.S. medical school, you are eligible to apply.

Are first-year medical students eligible to apply?

It is unlikely that first-year medical students will be accepted, although a few have been accepted in the past. If you are a first-year medical student, please check with individual CRF school(s) of interest before you apply.

I am a fourth-year medical student. Am I eligible to apply if I can defer my graduation for one year? Can a medical school allow me to finish my fourth year and defer my graduation so that I can participate in this fellowship program?

Some schools have accepted fourth-year students in the past but the majority of fellows participate between their third and fourth year of medical school. It is very important that you check with your school of matriculation to see whether you may defer your graduation.

If I am already enrolled in a match for residency, can I apply for a fellowship? If I am already matched for residency, can arrangements be made between the residency program so that I can commit to both, or so that I can defer my residency for one year to participate in the fellowship?

Residency matches are usually a binding contractual arrangement. If you have committed to a residency match, you are bound to the contract. Please check with the group conducting the match.

Are students at osteopathic medical schools eligible to apply?

If you are a student at a U.S. osteopathic school of medicine, please check with individual CRF school(s) of interest before you apply. Some schools do accept applications from osteopathic medical students, while others may not.

Non-Matriculated FAQs

The following questions apply only to students who are considering relocating and applying for a fellowship at a school in which they are not matriculated.

Are there any issues I should discuss with the administration of my home school?

Yes, several important administrative issues need to be addressed in advance of applying. While most medical schools endorse the idea of students taking a research year, tuition and registration policies vary widely.

1. Matriculation Status:

   It is very important that you check on your matriculation status at your medical school. Changes to your matriculation status may change your eligibility for insurance and other programs. In addition to working with your own school administration, CRF program staff at the participating medical schools to which you are applying may be able to provide advice and guidance on some of these issues. Also, check with your medical school to ask what fees you may be charged to maintain your matriculation status.

2. Health and Malpractice Insurance:

   The foundation’s policy is that each CRF medical school must ensure that fellows have health insurance during their fellowship year. However, the foundation does not have a general policy concerning malpractice insurance. Therefore, you will need to work with your home school and the individual CRF school to determine their policies regarding malpractice insurance during your fellowship period.

3. Financial Aid:

   Check with your medical school to ensure you will retain your standing for future financial aid if you take a research year. Also ask if it will affect your student loan repayment schedule. (If fellows have difficulty deferring their loans, the foundation will write a letter of certification to the fellow’s lending institution.)

Does the CRF fellowship pay relocation expenses?

Please contact the CRF school(s) of interest for complete information on their relocation policies.

What type of housing is available at the CRF schools during the fellowship?

This varies with each CRF school. Please contact the CRF school(s) of interest for complete information. If you need housing, please begin your search early.

Financial FAQs

Is the stipend taxable?

Your fellowship stipend will be paid directly from the CRF school. Please contact the medical school to which you are applying if you have questions about taxes.

How is the stipend administered?

Each CRF school handles their payment schedule differently. Please contact the medical school to which you are applying if you have specific questions.

International FAQs

The following questions apply only to students who are considering the international program.

Are there additional costs associated with being an international fellow?

International fellows receive the same stipend as domestic fellows. There are some upfront costs in establishing yourself overseas that you should discuss with the medical school to which you are applying for details.

Do you require any specific courses be taken before applying or in preparation as an international fellow?

The foundation does not require any specific courses to be taken. That said, past fellows have noted that taking biostatistics in advance was very useful during their fellowship year.

How are logistical arrangements associated with working overseas made (for example: travel documents, flights, lodging, health insurance, or stipend)?

This varies with each CRF school. Please contact the CRF school(s) of interest for complete information. Please note, if accepted into an international program, it is highly recommended that you start your logistical arrangements with your CRF institution as soon as possible.