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Program for Research Initiated by Students and Mentors (PRISM)
Offices of the DeanOffice of Student ResearchResearch Opportunities for Medical StudentsProgram for Research Initiated by Students and Mentors (PRISM)Program Details

Program Details

Program Activities

The 2025 OSR summer programming will begin on May 27 and end on July 25, 2025.

Over the summer, PRISM students will have many opportunities to interact with other medical, graduate, and undergraduate students and faculty from various UMB summer research programs.

Major 3 Summer Events

Full in-person attendance is required for each event. 

  • Orientation (May 27 & 28)
    • Program overviews, student networking, and ethics and responsible conduct of research
  • Mid-Summer Research Retreat (June 25)
    • Student panel presentations and networking with faculty and leaders from UMB, NIH, the Maryland Department of Health, and more 
  • Student Research Forum (July 24 & 25)
    • MD/PhD Keynote Speaker and students presenting their research in oral or poster formats

Summer Seminar Series

Students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled in-person seminars over the summer.

  • Most of the seminars will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 AM, between June 3 and July 22. A detailed seminar schedule will be provided.
  • Under certain circumstances and at the discretion of Program Leaders, a student may be allowed to miss more than 20% of seminars with prior approval.
  • The student must make up for additional absences by viewing a recording of the seminar and submitting a written summary and reflection (at least 150 words).

Research Education and Development Activities

Examples from prior years include:

  • Data Analysis Workshops
  • Biostatistics Consultations
  • Writing Workshop
  • Presentation Workshop

Other Activities

  • Focus Groups (students must attend at least one session)
  • Networking/group activities (participation is strongly encouraged)

Additional Program Requirements

Failure to fulfill any of the following requirements may result in removal from the program and/or the withholding of 20% of the program stipend funds, at the discretion of Program Leaders and Advisory Council.

  • Be in and remain in good academic standing.
  • Maintain active IRB/IACUC approval or exemption during program duration and provide appropriate documentation by the stated deadlines.
  • Conduct 9 full weeks of research from May 27–July 25, 2025 (40 hours per week).
  • Attend in-person and participate in the three Major Summer Events.
  • Orientation, Mid-Summer Research Retreat, and Student Research Form
  • Attend in-person at least 80% of the scheduled Summer Seminar Series sessions.
  • Submit final report.

Please review the 2025 PRISM Program Requirements for complete details.

FAQs

Don't see your question? Complete our Ask PRISM form.

FAQs will be updated based on questions received throughout the year. 

Who is eligible to participate in PRISM?

  • Participation is limited to first-year medical students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
  • Students must be in good academic standing and must be able to meet all Program Requirements.

Is US Citizenship required to participate in PRISM?

  • PRISM stipends are considered taxable income, and participating students will receive a 1099 form.
  • If you are an international student, it is your responsibility to obtain Office of International Service (OIS) authorization for this activity.
    • If you are interested in applying, please contact OIS at ois-info@umaryland.edu before submitting your application. They will assist you in determining your specific eligibility.

With whom can I conduct research?

  • Main research mentor must be a faculty member (Assistant Professor or higher) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
  • Main mentor cannot be a faculty member outside of UMB.
  • Main mentor cannot be a resident or fellow.

Is the program in-person or remote?

  • Most required events are in-person at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
  • Research can be conducted in-person or in a hybrid manner, at the faculty mentor’s discretion.

How do I find a research mentor?

  • While OSR faculty members can help advise students, it is the student's responsibility to look for, contact, and select a research mentor.
  • Please review the Mentor List for possible research mentors at UMB. The list is sorted alphabetically, by department. You do not have to select a mentor off the Mentor List.
  • Visit the FRCT Advising Page for more information.

What type of research can I do?

  • Hypothesis-driven research project in basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological or population science research in biomedical or health topics.
  • Your PRISM proposal should ideally meet the FRCT Scholarly Project Requirements, to enable you to dually satisfy the PRISM and FRCT requirements.

What are the Key Dates for the 2025 program?

How are students selected into the program?

  • Considerations will be made based on the quality of the proposed research, the strength of the research mentor, the strength of the applicant, and the quality and potential impact of the experience for the applicant.

How many students are accepted into the program each year?

  • Approximately 30 to 40 positions are available each year, based on funding.

What is the PRISM stipend amount?

  • Stipend levels depend on merit and number of students selected into the program.
  • Stipend levels range from $3,000 to $5,000, though they can vary based on funding availability.
  • Mentor contributions are encouraged, but they will not affect the student’s total stipend amount. (See Mentor Contributions, below.)
  • Supplemental funding from external fellowships will be considered on a case-by-case basis. (See Concurrent Funding, below.)
  • PRISM funding will be adjusted based on all other funding received by the student. 

Can my mentor contribute towards my stipend?

Mentors have the option of contributing funding towards student stipends. Contributions help offset program costs, allowing the program to extend its reach and support a greater number of students.

We greatly appreciate the generosity of faculty mentors who provide funding for a portion of their student's PRISM stipend.

  • The student's acceptance into the Program and their stipend level is determined by Program Leaders independently of any Mentor Contributions.
  • If a mentor contributes funding towards the stipend, the PRISM payment is reduced accordingly. For example:
    • Stipend level is set at $4,000.
    • Mentor contributes $1,000 toward stipend.
    • PRISM pays $3,000 toward stipend.
    • Student receives $4,000 in total.

Can I apply for multiple fellowships and receive concurrent funding?

  • Many PRISM applicants apply to other fellowship or funding opportunities in addition to PRISM.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to accept nationally competitive fellowships if awarded.
  • Some programs are not compatible with PRISM, particularly if they require that the student miss key PRISM activities or if they involve another project or mentor.
  • Some programs are compatible with PRISM if they share the same research mentor and project.
    • Examples include G.E.R.M. and AOA.
    • Regardless of project compatibility, some programs do not permit concurrent acceptance of another fellowship.
    • Concurrent participation in PRISM and another research program will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • PRISM applicants must disclose whether they apply to another program and whether they are accepted into another program.
  • PRISM payments will be adjusted proportionally based on any concurrent funding received.