School of Medicine

MD Student Research Concentration Program

Research Concentration Program (RCP)

The goal of this program is to allow time for an immersive scholarly (research) experience for students at the Tufts University School of Medicine. All MD students are required to do a scholarly project during medical school, but some students may want to do more extensive scholarly work that requires full time commitment. Medical students may pursue the Research Concentration Program only after completing the entire Core Clerkship year (year 3) and by permission from the Dean or Associate Dean of Students. A student may not apply for nor participate in the Research Concentration Program until they have successfully passed the USLME Step 1 exam, and they should also have taken the USMLE Step 2 exam. Students must be matriculated in the RCP full time for a minimum of six continuous months and a maximum time of one year.

To apply, the student must identify a research preceptor, complete the RCP form (available from the Registrar's Office) and provide a description of the research that they will undertake.

The student and the preceptor must detail:

  1. The nature of the student’s proposed research project and its relationship to ongoing research, if any
  2. The role of the student in the project
  3. Specific aims of the research
  4. Research design and methods to be used
  5. Description of the research activities to be conducted by the student
  6. The working relationship with the student; indicate who will supervise the student in carrying out the research
  7. Plan for regular student-preceptor meetings

The RCP preceptor is responsible for overseeing the student’s research and functions in a mentorship capacity. Should any questions or problems come up during the RCP time, the preceptor should contact the Dean of Student Affairs or Associate Dean of Students. They can be reached at 617 636-6534.

The RCP must be full time for a minimum of six months and is not to exceed one year. Full time is considered a minimum of 35 hours per week/4 weeks per month. Students are not permitted to take any coursework or clerkships while on RCP. Students cannot earn a degree from another school for the work done while on RCP.

While a student participates in the RCP, the student remains enrolled full time at TUSM and is responsible for payment of all required school fees (e.g. Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Activity Fee) including the Continuation Fee. There is no tuition charge for the time on RCP. However, depending on the student’s academic plan and rotations completed in a term, tuition may be assessed.

A final RCP report from the student’s research preceptor is required at the completion of the RCP. The RCP report form will be emailed to the student near the conclusion of their RCP. The student must ensure that their preceptor completes and returns the report to the Registrar’s Office within a month from the end date of the research program.

(The student must provide the preceptor with a copy of this page.)