MSTAR – Medical Student Training in Aging Research Program

The UNC-Chapel Hill Medical Students Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) 2027 summer program will begin accepting applications on October 19, 2026. The program provides medical students with an enriching research experience through a framework of aging-related research and geriatrics. As a nationally-recognized NIH training center for aging research, our program has an outstanding track record, with many of our students publishing first-author manuscripts, winning awards at national meetings. With over 55 research mentors across the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy Public Health and Social Work, we offer a diverse array of potential research projects for students. Potential projects may include research conducted specifically in older populations, as well as research on health-related conditions that intersect with aging (e.g., cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology, etc.). An important program priority is to support a pipeline of medical students with an interest in becoming a clinician scientist committed to advancing fields on aging including aging-related and geriatrics research.  

First-year medical students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Eligibility Requirements include:

• In person in Chapel Hill for 8 weeks at 40 hours per week between May 24 through August 6, 2027
• Are not NIH funded
• Are citizens or a noncitizen national of the United States (temporary students on visas are not eligible)
• Do not have a Doctorate degree or masters research degree in the health sciences, or a combined health-professional/research doctorate.
• It may not support studies leading to an MD, DO

Interested students must email the program for further information at MSTAR@med.unc.edu. Applications are due by January 18, 2027, 8:00 AM EST.  

Applications open October 19, 2026. Please contact MSTAR@med.unc.edu for questions regarding the UNC-Chapel Hill MSTAR program.