How to Apply

We are currently accepting applications for Cohort 3. The deadline is October 15, 2026.

Eligibility

The program is open to U-M faculty of any rank and any track, or physicians and other doctorally-trained clinical providers with primary appointments at U-M Health Affiliate Institutions. The eligibility of career development award and training grant recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Preference will be given to faculty with clinical responsibilities, though being a clinician is not an eligibility requirement.

Application to the Program

Admission to the program is competitive. Applications will be accepted from August 27- October 15. The final application deadline is October 15, 2026. We will review applications in October and notify applicants of our decisions by November 15, 2026. 

Your application to the MEL-STaR Scholars Program will require:

From the applicant:

1. A copy of your CV, resume or NIH biosketch

2. A 2 - 3 page statement describing

• The primary area/problem of interest for health improvement and ideas to address the problem.

• Your understanding of LHS and how it applies to your area problem. (See article What is unique about Learning Health Systems: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9284922/)

• How your approach to the problem would promote principles of fair access to healthcare and patient engagement. (See article Developing a framework for integrating fair access to healthcare in the learning health system: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lrh2.10043. Also watch the videos on patient partners and fairness in healthcare access here.) 

3. Your preference of a lab or research group in which you would like to embed your work. This lab may be one with which you have an established relationship or one of the official MEL-STaR labs.

From your division/department head:

If admitted, we will need a letter supporting your participation in the MEL-STaR Scholars Program. This letter must include an affirmation of 15% release time for coursework and the experiential project.

For questions about the MEL-STaR Scholars Program, please contact the program leadership at MEL-STaR-Leadership-Team@umich.edu