What Is a Clinical Research Fellowship?

A fellowship is a paid opportunity offered by an institution, such as a university, to an individual who works or studies in a specialized field. A clinical research fellowship is normally a funded opportunity offered to professionals or postgraduate students who need to travel or gain access to certain kinds of equipment in order to complete research that is relevant to the organization offering the fellowship. Most fellowships are short-term and may last from one to two years, though longer and shorter fellowships do exist.

While fellowships are offered in a large number of fields, the clinical research fellowship is most commonly offered in scientific fields. This kind of fellowship may be most common in the medical sciences. Health specialists may use fellowship stipends to visit communities and study illnesses and health conditions or develop medications and treatments in laboratories.

In most cases, an individual must apply for a clinical research fellowship. A list of qualifications normally accompanies fellowship application instructions. Some guidelines require that applicants be enrolled in academic programs. Other kinds of fellowships may require that applicants are professionals with a minimum number of years experience.

In general, common clinical research fellowships are designed for individuals with specific areas of interest in mind. For example, an opportunity might only be available to professionals or students who are interested in studying issues related to heart disease. In most instances, applicants are encouraged to write essays that explain their experience in a field and describe what they hope to add to a field by using fellowship funding.

Stipends offered through these kinds of fellowships tend to be high. The amount of money can depend on factors such as the length of the fellowship and the nature of the work. The money is given to fellows so that they may apply it to their research and usually to pay for necessary living expenses, such as food, shelter, and transportation. Many fellowships require that individuals take time off from school or take leave from their work.

An applicant who receives a clinical research fellowship is normally expected by the fellowship committee to complete a project by the end of the fellowship. Many committees expect that individuals who have received their fellowships publish papers related to their research and even publish them in academic journals. They may also be expected to present their research findings at meetings and seminars attended by members of the relevant community.