Research Elective Policy

Guidelines for Applying for Elective Research Rotation

The residency program in internal medicine at Sinai-Grace Hospital is committed to providing training in accordance with the guidelines of the ACGME and the ABIM. The program recognizes the importance of basic science and clinical research as an important aspect of residency training and requires its residents to engage in research or scholarly activity during the course of the residency.

Only a limited number of requests for research electives can be accommodated during an academic year and research time will be granted purely on the basis of the merits of the proposed research project. Elective research rotation is meant to supplement clinical training and will not be granted if the minimum requirements of residency training are not met.

Key Requirements

  • A written request for research time should be submitted to the Department of Medicine Research Committee.
  • Dedicated research elective time will generally be granted only for basic science research. Clinical research is expected to be done without dedicated time (exceptions may be discussed with the program director).
  • A two-week clinical research elective is available for those pursuing clinical research at Sinai-Grace. A project proposal with clear objectives must be presented to the Research Committee three months in advance.
  • Residents must be in good academic standing with satisfactory to superior evaluations. Residents on academic probation will not qualify.
  • The maximum duration for basic science research is up to two months.
  • Basic science research requires a faculty sponsor at the institution who is actively engaged in research.

Proposal Requirements

The research outline should include:

  • Background and significance
  • Review of existing literature
  • Specific objectives of proposed research
  • Study design
  • Methods
  • Data analysis
  • Anticipated time commitment

All submitted research proposals will be forwarded to the Research Committee for blinded review. Approved residents will be required to develop a presentation of research findings within two months of completion, and submit findings for presentation at local, regional, or national meetings.