Research Scholars Program (RSP)

The APA Research Scholars Program is a three-year faculty development program designed to help APA members interested in enhancing their academic credentials to develop research skills and to plan, implement, and write-up a research project. The APA Research Scholars Program assists pediatric clinician-educators and clinician-researchers in developing themselves as fulfilled faculty members engaged in important and exciting high-quality child health research.

The Program includes:

Assignment of a National Advisor, selected based on each scholar’s research interest
Quarterly webinars and coursework in research design and statistics as well as faculty-facilitated and peer-mentored research-in-progress sessions
Peer-mentoring groups comprised of scholars with common interests in research topics and/or methods
An annual, pre-PAS RSP Day that focuses on advanced research topics, guidance on career development, and reviews of scholars’ research-in-progress
Implementation and completion of a research project
Certificate of Excellence in Research Scholarship, upon graduation

Curriculum Outline

Each year in RSP is divided into quarters with specific themes. Each quarter's webinars and assignments coincide with the themes.

Year 1

- Kick-off at PAS: Career in pediatric research, Foundations of Quantitative and Qualitative Research
- Quarter 1: Framing Your Research Argument
- Quarter 2: Study Designs
- Quarter 3: Measures, Sampling and Bias
- Quarter 4: Sample size, power, effect size and significance level

Year 2

- Kick-off at PAS: Skillbuilding in Quantitative and Qualitative Research; Seeking Funding; Effective mentorship
- Quarter 1: Data Collection
- Quarter 2: Data Management
- Quarter 3: Project Management
- Quarter 4: Putting it all together

Year 3

- Kick-off at PAS: The CV and NIH Biosketch, Applying quant/qual skills to scholars' datasets
- Quarter 1: Grant Writing
- Quarter 2: Publication and Presentation
- Quarter 3: Research Ethics
- Quarter 4: Putting it all together

Program Requirements

Make sure to speak with your Division Director and/or Chair about RSP requirements early in the application process.

Scholars are expected to:

Commit 10% of their time to RSP in order to complete the full curriculum and a research project
Conduct a mentored research project (develop the aims and hypotheses, implement it, and present/publish it)
Have access to analytic software as needed for proposed research project
Attend/participate in large topic webinars (approximately 1 hour per quarter)
Meet with peer-mentorship group (approximately 1 hour per quarter)
Meet regularly with local mentor(s) and assigned national mentors/advisors
Attend the annual PAS Meeting
- 04/24-28, 2025 (Honolulu)
- 04/22-29, 2026 (Boston)
- 04/28-5/5, 2027 (Minneapolis)
- 05/2-05/10, 2028 (Salt Lake City)

Local Mentors are expected to:

Ensure Scholar has 10% of their time protected for participation in RSP
Meet regularly with Scholar to address research project needs
Meet with the Scholar and their assigned national mentor/advisor, at least annually
Serve as an advocate to ensure all program requirements are honored

Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials via the online application portal. Please refer to the Application Checklist for detailed information.

APA Membership (Scholar)
Cover Page
Proposal (500 words)
Personal Statement (250 words)
Applicant Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Local Mentor Biosketch
Letter of Support from Local Mentor
Letter of Support from Department Chair/Division Director
Application fee ($125)

Applicants are responsible for collecting and electronically submitting all application materials.

Applications to RSP must include a project proposal. RSP leadership is available to discuss project ideas prior to application submission. Following acceptance to and enrollment in RSP, projects may be modified, based on discussion with and approval from mentors, national advisors, and RSP leadership.

Applicants are responsible for finding their own local mentors. RSP leadership is available to provide guidance in identifying a mentor if given notice at least two months prior to the application deadline. RSP leadership will identify a national advisor for scholars who are accepted and enroll in the program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be members of the Academic Pediatric Association.

Applications are welcome from those who are:

Faculty
Fellows
Other professionals involved in caring for or conducting research about the health and well-being of children and families

Tuition & Fees

There is a $125 application fee
Tuition is $5,600, due within 90 days of acceptance

Please contact the APA office if the application fee and/or tuition limits your ability to apply.

Current Scholars

Current Scholar Portal

Cohort 7 (2022-2025)

Alumni

FAQs

What does a successful RSP proposal look like? RSP is meant for those whose previous training has not provided them with the breadth and depth needed in research training and experience to sustain a significant focus on research in their careers. RSP is looking for applicants who want to expand their research training, and is not expecting all graduates of the program to be independent, fully-funded researchers. Program leadership is looking to help scholars refine their research ideas and goals. Project proposals should reflect the research interests of the scholar, and projects can be in various stages of development.

Can I change projects after acceptance to RSP? If a proposal turns out not to be feasible or a scholar's focus has shifted, it is okay to rework a project. Program leadership will be available to support scholars in navigating changes.

Who selects the scholars and how many will be selected? The RSP co-directors will select the scholars, after the applications have been reviewed by pediatric researchers. Numbers vary for each cohort.

What exactly does the 10% time commitment mean? Scholars will be conducting projects that directly contribute to their department and/or institution, are within the scope of their current job commitments (or can be negotiated to become a part of their scope of work), and aid in the career development of the scholar (e.g., leading to promotion).

How should I choose a local mentor? Your mentor does not need to be a pediatrician or a member of your department, but should have expertise in a key area (content and/or methodology) related to your proposed project and have experience as an independent researcher. A good mentor is approachable and available, and personally committed to the mentee's success. Ideally, a scholar's mentor is within their home institution.

What is the role of a national advisor? The national advisor will track progress on the scholar's project, providing assistance as problems are encountered, and will be available for more in-depth conversations regarding the scholar's career development and trajectory.

Can a Scholar enroll in RSP for less than three years? Shortening tenure in the program is not allowed.

Why is there an application fee and tuition cost? The Research Scholars Program has significant operating expenses (e.g., coordination of the numerous faculty, online support webinars and curriculum assignments, PAS programming, etc.). While operating costs are also partially subsidized by the Academic Pediatric Association, the fee and tuition make it possible to sustain the program.

Does RSP provide financial or travel support to Scholars? No. It is important for each scholar to have support from his/her/their supervisor the application fee, tuition, protected time, any project-related costs, and travel to PAS. Some Scholars may have access to support (e.g., through faculty development grants) to supplement institutional resources.

How can I learn more about RSP? Follow us on twitter at #BeAScholarRSP and use the below form to submit additional questions.

Leadership