The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is a campus-wide program that provides young physicians with specialized options for post-residency scientific training at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The PSTP provides individuals with highly individualized mentorship, the opportunity to train in the research laboratories of one of our internationally renowned faculty, and up to three years of salary support during the years of their research training.

PSTP Eligibility

The Physician Scientist Training Program is designed for individuals who hold an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree and who are enrolled in or plan to enroll in a clinical training program.

Current medical residents who are applying for or who have been accepted for fellowship training in one of UT Southwestern’s training programs are eligible, provided they have not started the investigative phase of their fellowship training. Fourth-year medical students with a strong commitment to biomedical research are encouraged to discuss the PSTP during their internship interview.

If an individual is selected for the Physician Scientist Training Program during the early portion of his/her residency program, the chair and residency program director will decide whether the individual will be a candidate for fast tracking.

Research Areas

PSTP Selection

Individuals seeking entry into the Physician Scientist Training Program will be independently interviewed and reviewed by members of the Physician Scientist Training Program Selection Committee and the selection committee of the respective residency or fellowship program. In order to be accepted into the PSTP, the individual must be accepted by the appropriate clinical training program. Individuals selected for the PSTP must fulfill the requirements for board certification in their respective specialties before entering the Program.

PSTP Timeline

Candidates may apply to the PSTP at any time following the successful completion of an internship and the start of a subspecialty fellowship. In most instances, individuals who have begun the investigative phase of fellowship training are not eligible.

The application and all supporting documentation must be complete and submitted for consideration no later than December 1 of the year preceding the desired start of funding.

Application Requirements

• Completed application form (fillable PDF)
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement from applicant addressing the desire to obtain investigative training, any known specific research interests, and long-term career plans and goals.
• Letter from nominating chair that includes a commitment for funding for the clinical portion of the fellowship, defines any desired departmental or divisional salary supplementation, and assures that the trainee will have minimal (if any) clinical responsibilities during the investigative phase of the program.
• Letter from clinical training program director that addresses the applicant’s academic potential and commitment to scholarly endeavors, defines the length of the applicant’s total fellowship, and specifically defines the applicant’s clinical responsibilities during the investigative phase of the fellowship training.
• If known – a letter of support and acceptance and description of the scope of the research from the applicant’s proposed scientific mentor. The mentor’s NIH biographical sketch should be included.

All information should be sent to:
Physician Scientist Training Program
c/o Charles M. Ginsburg, M.D.
Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Education
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-9003