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Observership Program

The SOCS Observership Program awards up to $2,000 USD grants to dermatology residents, medical students (2nd-4th year), and junior faculty to enable study with a SOCS mentor identified by the applicant. Grants are intended for travel, room and board as needed to establish and facilitate the mentoring relationship. 

OBSERVERSHIP EXPERIENCES

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Application Timeline

Open: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Close: Friday, November 1, by 12:00 PM CT

Purpose

  • To empower young physicians and scientists to develop additional academic or research skills, thereby advancing their careers as future leaders in the field of dermatology specializing in skin of color.
  • Facilitate skill development and knowledge transfer between the mentor and mentee.
  • Provide a travel stipend to support a 1-4 week rotation.

Membership

This program is reserved for Skin of Color Society members and pending members with a complete membership application. Apply for membership here. Non-members should submit a complete membership application by Thursday, October 31 to meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Individuals who maintain active membership in SOCS with up-to-date dues payment.
    AND

  • Are either dermatology fellows, young dermatologists who have completed their residency within the last 4 years, or 2nd-4th year medical students.

  • Applicants must disclose if they are already participating in a paid research fellowship at a specified location. Failure to disclose may impact application acceptance.

  • Applicants must demonstrate that the rotation they are applying for is unique to their existing research year. These cases will be reviewed by the Mentorship Committee on an individual basis.

  • Applicants must identify their observership mentor and location in the application form.

  • Returning Applicants: Each student is eligible to receive one grant within a four-year period.

Application Requirements

  • Completed application form

  • Budget outlining travel, lodging, food, and other expenses to be incurred (up to a maximum of $2,000USD)

  • Statement of purpose and connection to SOC dermatology (up to 1 page)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Two letters of recommendation

    • A letter from the proposed mentor to include a statement of willingness to provide the time necessary for this mentorship, any significant and pertinent details of the planned mentorship, and a specific mention of whether the time frame and budget are appropriate for the proposed mentorship. Mentor must be a member of SOCS.

    • A letter from the residency program director, department chair or a faculty member attesting to the applicant’s character and potential to benefit from the mentorship.

  • Disclosure if currently participating in a research year or fellowship at the specified observership location. Failure to disclose may impact application acceptance.

Accepted applications:

  • Confirmation, including rotation dates, from both the student and the mentor is required for the disbursement of funds. Failure to disclose may impact application acceptance.

Participation in the program involves:

  • Providing a 6-month update to the SOCS Mentorship Committee upon request regarding the status of the observership.

  • Completing a short survey after the observership.

  • Submitting a one-page summary of the experience written by the mentee, accompanied by a photograph of the mentee and mentor together.

  • Observership must be completed between March of the year the grant is received and February of the following year.

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This program is being supported by: