Four Directions Summer Research Program

The Four Directions track focuses on research that supports the health and well-being of Native communities. However, we strongly encourage students who are passionate about advancing this area of research to apply.

No. Many of our students enter the program with no prior lab experience. Our program places you with a Mass General Brigham mentor who will guide you through your research and make themselves available to answer any questions throughout the process.

To provide students with tools, information and opportunities on their journey to becoming physicians, researchers and public health professionals; as well as role models and teachers in the academic community. To create an extensive network of health professionals dedicated to Indigenous health care that will serve as a venue for knowledge sharing, nationwide mentoring and advocacy. To cultivate students’ understanding and awareness of Native American health issues and associated health issues more broadly.

The Mass General Brigham Four Directions Program is unique for many reasons. It provides:

A personalized research experience:

• Once accepted to the program, we do our best to match you in one of the top three choices, but it is not always guaranteed.

• Four Directions offers an opportunity to conduct novel research in a vast variety of biomedical science and health policy research areas.

Hospital-based exposure:

• Mass General Brigham is the largest HMS teaching hospital and the #1 NIH-funded academic medical center in the country for 2024
• Development of scientific writing and presentation skills, including abstract writing and a final
• Presentation of a research project
• Individualized mentorship, guiding students toward the next step in their careers
• Social outings covered by the program
• Networking opportunities with residents, fellows, faculty.
• Free housing at MassArt and a student stipend of $5,000.

• Undergraduate rising sophomore, juniors and seniors and 1^st year medical students, with a commitment to the health of Native American communities.
• U.S. Citizen; permanent residents
• Strong interest in pursuing advanced careers as research scientists, physician and/or health care professionals.
• Priority will be given to those from disadvantaged backgrounds

We select the Four Directions cohort through a holistic review process. While there is no minimum GPA, the national pool of applicants is very competitive. The profile part of the application will ask for your GPA, but please be aware that the answer will be reviewed and considered with other sections of your application.

If accepted to the program, you will be working at Mass General Brigham and thus will need to submit proof of health insurance coverage. As an employer, Mass General Brigham must comply with all federal and state law health insurance requirements.

No previous research experience is required for admission to the Four Directions Summer Research Program.

Jump to the application instructions.

Make sure you answer all the questions on the profile part, as all the questions are mandatory for our program.

No, not necessarily. They can be from faculty members, laboratory advisors, or academic mentors who have worked closely with you.

A letter of good standing is required only if you do not have access to your transcripts by the application deadline (e.g., if you have just started medical school). Only medical students whose school does not provide transcripts need a letter of good standing.

No. We are unable to access transcript links that require downloading. Please submit official transcripts directly instead.

Upload your official or unofficial transcript to the Application System account. If you encounter issues, please email fourdirections@mgb.org.

No, we require official transcripts from your schools.

Every document except letters of recommendation should be uploaded by you to the application system.

Housing is provided to the student by the program, at no cost to the student. All students participating in the program will be housed in the same facility and the location will be near Mass General Brigham hospitals, to optimize the experience. Staying in the housing provided is mandatory, as it is an essential part of building the cohort experience.

The program is funded by hospital sources and does not receive any federal grants. Students are provided with a one-time stipend of $5,000 during the first weeks of the program. This is intended to cover daily expenses, including food. Please consider your banking options for depositing your stipend as not all banks are represented in Boston.

We offer a few travel grants to assist students with demonstrated financial need in covering travel expenses. To be considered, students must submit a written statement of request and their most recent FAFSA. Additional documentation and a separate application may be requested as part of the review process.

While no meal plan is available, there is a grocery store nearby, as well as a farmers’ market and many affordable dining options close to the housing. We make every effort to provide meals during the weekly didactic sessions and at other special events throughout the summer sponsored by the Office for Engagement and Enrichment.

Yes, the eight weeks are mandatory. We understand some medical schools extend longer than the end date of Friday, July 24^th, or start earlier than the first day of June 1^st. In these cases, we may be able to accommodate your schedule upon request (while still completing 8 weeks of research). You would still need to attend orientation. Otherwise, we expect all students to start on June 1^st and end on July 24^th.

Yes, there is a required orientation that will take place during the first one or two days of the program. During these days of your summer experience, we cover an extensive amount of important information. Please note that before orientation, you must have completed all mandatory Mass General Brigham paperwork and training.

Our team carefully matches each student with a preceptor to ensure the best possible research and learning environment. Additionally, please do not contact researchers or physician-scientists directly.