91³Ô¹ÏÍø

The McKinstry Fellows Research Program supports student-faculty research teams probing questions that are relevant to society today and that will impact future generations.

[GU = 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University, UWSOM = University of Washington School of Medicine] 

Criteria 

A. Proposals must satisfy at least one of these four criteria: 

1. Project focuses on a significant health-related question.
2. Project is co-curricular, mindfully incorporating a non-academic office and/or non-faculty employee(s) at GU and/or UWSOM  (e.g. RIDE, MEDEX, CCE, GU-Outdoors, UMEC, LLRC, Clinical Legal Programs, etc.).
3. Project is a collaborative effort involving at least one Spokane-area agency or organization.
4. Project is interdisciplinary and involves faculty and/or students from different disciplines, especially those not traditionally linked. 

We are particularly interested in projects that:  

• aim to improve the health and/or well-being of rural residents.
• include at least one research team member (e.g., student, faculty, staff) from both GU and UWSOM.
• articulate how the proposed work connects to at least one of the mission statements of GU and the UWSOM.  

B. Student/Mentor Expectations 

• Proposals must address student impact and involvement in the research. In general, student compensation should account for at least 33% of the proposed budget.
• The lead mentor must be committed to work directly with the student(s) throughout the 10-week research period.
• Given that this is a 10-week summer research program providing a meaningful research experience for students, proposals must demonstrate reasonable aspirations for timeline, budget, and goals.  

Who is eligible to apply?

Faculty – affiliated with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø and/or UW School of Medicine who: 

• will be returning for fall semester. 
• are able to serve as a research mentor in or near Spokane throughout the 10-week period.

Once a proposal is accepted, faculty lead mentors can either self-identify research students, or CURCI can help recruit as needed. Students will be asked to submit a separate application for database tracking purposes. 

Note the criteria for students listed below. 

• This program is open to all students, regardless of major, including undergraduate, graduate, medical, and physician assistant (PA) students.
• Students must be enrolled at GU or UW School of Medicine, and:
  •  will be returning for fall semester.
  • are available to work in the Spokane area throughout the 10-week period.
  • are available to participate in any necessary safety and research ethics training.
  • can present their project through poster or oral presentations in Spokane in the fall immediately following the summer research.

Now accepting applications for Summer 2025. Applications are due at 11:59pm on February 18th, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

To request an application, contact us at curci@gonzaga.edu, with “McKinstry Application Request” in the subject line; members of the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Community can also access this info at .

The McKinstry Fellows Research Program exists due to the generous support of Dean and Vicki Allen. Click here to learn about the Allens and the origins of the McKinstry Fellows Research Program.