Program Description

The Pediatric Scientist Development Program provides research training and career development support for pediatricians committed to careers in academic medicine. The PSDP offers an intense, full-time experience in basic, translational, or clinical research training in eminent research laboratories in the U.S. and Canada. Up to three years of research training are funded by the Program after the completion of the clinical fellowship years. A sponsoring pediatric department assumes responsibility for support of clinical fellowship apart from the circumstances described below. No patient care or clinical duties are allowed during the first two years of PSDP-supported training.

This Program provides a training environment in which talented young pediatricians address central problems in child health with the most current scientific tools. Ultimately, these pediatric scientists, dedicated to continuing careers in basic, translational, and clinical research, will translate research advances to improvements in clinical care for children.

The Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Inc. (AMSPDC) acts as the sponsoring organization. In a unique collaborative arrangement, funding is derived from grants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and numerous private agencies and foundations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Pediatric Society, Sick Kids Foundation (Toronto), Paediatric Chairs of Canada, March of Dimes, and St. Jude Children's Research Foundation.