1. What is the Framework Program in Global Health (FGH) initiative at Johns Hopkins?  
2. What is the FGH Student Research Program?  
3. Who may apply for the program?  
4. What characteristics are being sought in the typical FGH research student?  
5. How much funding is provided?  
6. How many students will be selected?  
7. How does one apply for the FGH Student Research Program?  
8. What type of research proposals will be considered?  
9. What are some suggested themes for research projects?  
10. What is the timeline for the program?  

1. What is the Framework Program in Global Health (FGH) initiative at Johns Hopkins?
In order to expand and support research and education on global health issues at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and reduce global inequities in health, JHU has launched a new multi-institutional initiative focused on the development of sustainable global health programs. A key objective of the FGH program is to enhance the recruitment of diverse students into research and practice careers in global health. The Initiative is supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Fogarty International Center. For more information on the Initiative, contact Dick Dunning, Program Manager, Center for Global Health, rdunning@jhmi.edu, 410-502-9871.

2. What is the FGH Student Research Program?
A key element of the FGH initiative includes funding support for JHU students to participate in hands-on research in developing countries or with key institutions engaged in global health research and practice each year. The program includes limited funding to support travel and field research for up to a three-month period, as well as intense faculty mentoring.

3. Who may apply for the program?
All JHU undergraduate and graduate students, including (but not limited to) students in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and International Studies are eligible to apply. Additionally, medical graduates in residency programs are eligible to apply. Students who will be completing their studies prior to their travel/research are not eligible to apply; you must be  a returning student. DOCTORAL STUDENTS CANNOT APPLY FOR SUPPORT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THEIR DISSERTATION RESEARCH.  Students may not apply for funding for projects which have already been funded under another mechanism.

4. What characteristics are being sought in the typical FGH research student?
The program seeks to support diverse students reflective of the wide range of disciplines necessary to effectively respond to today’s global health challenges. While academic background and specific interest can vary greatly, all students should exhibit sincere academic and professional interest in the field of global health. They should also have the ability to work independently and handle themselves gracefully in challenging and diverse environments.

5. How much funding is provided?
With few exceptions, undergraduate students will receive $3,000 and graduate students will receive $5,000.

6. How many students will be selected?
Approximately 24 students will be selected to participate in the program each year; three slots will be reserved for undergraduates.

7. How does one apply for the FGH student research program?
In order to apply for the program, each student must first identify a faculty advisor willing to support their application. This most commonly means that a student must identify a faculty member willing to include the applicant’s research project within one of their existing international research programs.

Once faculty support for their research project is confirmed, each applicant must submit:

• An application form, including:
  1.  personal statements
  2.  a complete research proposal, including a timeline
  3.  signed commitments from applicant and faculty advisor

• Two recommendations, one from the primary faculty advisor for the research project
• Copy of academic transcript

8. What type of research proposals will be considered?
As with student backgrounds, diverse research proposals will be sought. The research can be based in a broad range of disciplines, including technical, economic, political, sociological, biomedical, public health, and/or basic science disciples. The specific research methods employed may also be quantitative or qualitative. Most important, the research objectives should have practical application to existent global health challenges.

9. What are some suggested themes for research projects?
Numerous highly important research questions are facing global health investigators  today that can be addressed through small research projects such as those supported through the FGH program. Some ideas may include child survival, maternal and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, humanitarian emergencies, catastrophic disease outbreaks such as SARS or avian flu, or global chronic disease epidemics such as tobacco and obesity. Another approach would be to focus on structural aspects of global health, such as trade globalization, poverty, inequity, and gender inequality.

JHU has a long history of engagement with global health issues and has one of the largest programs of its kind in the world. As a result, faculty members are involved in active research programs in all regions of the world. Perhaps the most effective way to identify a potential research project is to investigate what activities are currently ongoing throughout the University and discuss potential additions to these research initiatives with individual faculty members. A map of ongoing international research projects supported by Johns Hopkins faculty is available to students for review on the Center for Global Health’s website.

10. What is the timeline for the program?
Applications for the program will be accepted twice every year, once in the spring (April 1 deadline) and once in the fall (November 15 deadline). Notification of acceptance will be sent out to applicants no later than two months following the application deadline. For November applicants, research fieldwork should be completed by the end of the next calendar year following award. For April applicants research fieldwork should be completed by the end of the calendar year of award. A research report on the experience and research findings is required within three months following the field experience and a presentation at a lunch symposium or similar event is required during the academic year in which the final research report is submitted.

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