How to Write PASTEUR Research Proposal

In order to participate in funded research projects at Harvard Medical School, you must to write a formal project proposal for your project.

The formal project proposal is the centerpiece of your application. Properly written, it insures the proposal is sound scientifically and ethically.  It also insures the proposal is feasible so students do not waste their time engaged in unproductive effort. The proposal process depends on mentors to help students address the scientific considerations.  Each proposal must articulate a hypothesis and specify the means of testing it.  PASTEUR does not support purely descriptive studies, without some type of comparison it is impossible to draw conclusions from the study.

Your assigned PASTEUR advisor will review each draft you write, and inform you what changes are required. You must incorporate each change into your proposal until informed your proposal is approved. Usually, this process takes several iterations, so you must allow enough time for communication between you, your research mentor, and PASTEUR.

Harvard medical students, note you cannot apply to the Harvard Office of Enrichment Programs (OEP) for financial support until your proposal is first approved by PASTEUR.

The Project Proposal must contain the following elements: a) background, b) aims, c) hypothesis, d) precise methods [including statistical methods such as sample size/power calculations, selection process for subjects/controls, and the timeline for data collection & analysis], e) expected results and finally f) bibliography. Applicants must submit their mentors' CV or NIH biosketch with their first draft, so PASTEUR can determine the laboratory has adequate resources to carry out the project.

Statistical Power
Power calculations sometimes prove difficult for those writing their first project proposal.  You may have knowledge in this area but the key is to involve your project mentor.  Mentors have the resources and experience to help you complete in this portion of your proposal.

In brief, power calculations are performed to justify the sample size you indicate for your project.  Power calculations are based upon expected effect size to help reviewers or funders know whether the sample size you indicate is reasonable to evaluate your hypotheses.  If a study is inadequately powered, there is no point in completing the research.

Proposals for the PASTEUR Summer Program
The length limit of the proposal is two pages maximum, using Arial font size 11.  Please adhere to this limit.  If you have difficulty, the first step is to cut your background section.   Please address questions about the PASTEUR Summer Program for first year HMS students to your assigned advisor. Gary Curhan MD ScD and Naomi Fisher MD are the co-Directors of the Summer Program and have final approval.

Proposals for the Harvard Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship
The length limit of the proposal is 4-6 pages, using Arial font size 11.

For questions about the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation one year Clinical Research Fellowship for medical students, please contact your assigned advisor. Gary Curhan MD ScD and Samir Parikh MD have responsibility for the domestic fellowship track. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is the advisor for the International track.