🗓️ Dec. 5, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Please register for the Scholarly Concentrations Program/IMPRS Application Launch event:
A zoom link will be sent once registered. Check back for the application at the conclusion of the launch event!
Check out the FAQs.
The Scholarly Concentrations program offers a unique opportunity to explore your passions while earning:
Eight weeks of non-clinical elective credit.
A transcript designation.
Recognition at graduation.
This longitudinal program runs alongside your core medical education, beginning the summer after your first year and continuing into your third or fourth year.
Meet with your lead advisor and the concentration co-directors to ensure your plan aligns with your academic schedule and career goals. Each concentration has specific expectations, locations and summer 2026 requirements — make sure you explore those below.
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 10 maximum
Home campus is Indianapolis. All coursework and scholarly work (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship and the Clinical Research Methods course) takes place at the Indianapolis campus.
Acceptance to and completion of IMPRS Summer Research Program is required for this concentration.
Be prepared to do the following during summer and fall 2026:
| Dates and Details | Course and Details |
|
May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous |
Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 21-June 30, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Clinical Research Methods |
| TBD, offered in person | Research Topics in Medicine |
| TBD | Complete IMPRS research project that serves as launching pad for scholarly concentrations project |
|
TBD fall 2026, offered hybrid |
Immersion in Clinical and Patient-Oriented Research |
Co-Directors Contacts
Erika R. Cheng, PhD, MPA | echeng@iu.edu | 317-278-0552
Lisa G. Yazel, EdD, MCHES | smithlg@iu.edu | 317-278-0552
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 25
All coursework is online. Scholarly project locations vary by project but focus on Indianapolis area.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Dates and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| June 1-July 30, 2026, offered online synchronous Meets six times (Tuesday or Thursday) from 6-8:40 p.m. ET |
Value Creations and Financial Performance of Health Care Systems |
| June 1-July 30, 2026, offered online synchronous Meets six times (Tuesday or Thursday) from 6-8:40 p.m. ET | Business Management of the Patient Experience |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Kyle Anderson, PhD | kyjander@iu.edu | 317-274-0150
Kate Hussey | klhussey@iu.edu | 317-274-0832
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 10
Home campus is Indianapolis. Essential Laboratory Translation in Genomic Medicine, Effective Communications in Genomic Medicine, and the scholarly project take place at the Indianapolis campus. Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship, Genomic Medicine Journal Club, and Online Clinical Case Review are online.
Be prepared to do the following during summer and fall 2026, and academic year 2026-2027:
| Dates and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 21, 2026-July 31, 2027, offered in person | Effective Communications in Genomic Medicine |
| May 21, 2026-July 31, 2027, offered in person | Essential Laboratory Translation in Genomic Medicine |
| May 21, 2026-July 31, 2027, offered online asynchronous | Online Clinical Case Review |
| May 21, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027, offered online synchronous | Genomic Medicine Journal Club |
| May 21, 2026-Jan. 31, 2029 | Work on scholarly project |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD | brherber@iu.edu | 317-274-6147
Brett Graham, MD, PhD| bregraha@iu.edu | 317-274-5607
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 6
Home campus is Fort Wayne. However, all coursework is online. The scholarly project work occurs in Fort Wayne or Indianapolis.
Be prepared to complete or start the following during summer and fall 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 18, 2026-April 9, 2027, offered online asynchronous | Population and Public Health Approaches to Aging |
| May 18, 2026-April 9, 2027, offered online asynchronous | Health Care Integration and Healthy Aging |
| Aug. 3, 2026-April 9, 2027, offered online synchronous (a.m. and p.m.) | Journal Club |
| Summer 2026 | Work on scholarly project |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Bob Sweazey, PhD | rsweazey@iu.edu | 260-257-6863
Leslie A. Hoffman, PhD | lesahoff@iu.edu | 260-257-6842
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 10
Home campus is Muncie. Coursework is both on the Muncie campus and online. The scholarly project work typically takes place in communities around the Muncie campus, although in some cases arrangements can be made to complete all or part of a project at other locations.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 19-Aug. 1, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Introduction to Public Health |
| May 19-Aug. 1, 2026, offered in person | Lifestyle Medicine |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Larry Fromm, PhD | lfromm@iu.edu | 765-751-5111
Michael Litt, PhD | mlitt@iu.edu | 765-751-5110
Lynn Witty, MD | lwitty@iu.edu
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: TBD
Home campus is Bloomington and all concentration work (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship course) occurs in Bloomington.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| TBD, offered online asynchronous | Introduction to Human Sexuality |
| TBD, offered online synchronous | Critical Issues in Sexuality and Health |
| Summer 2026 | Work on scholarly project |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Charles N Rudick, PhD | crudick@iu.edu | 312-833-2120
Justin R Garcia, PhD | jusrgarc@iu.edu | 812-855-7686
Jessica J. Hille, JD, PhD | jhille@iu.edu | 812-855-7686
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 30 or more
All concentration coursework is entirely completed online. The scholarly project work usually occurs in the student’s campus city and/or region or a mutually agreed upon site.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 19-Aug. 1, 2026, offered online asynchronous |
Introduction to Public Health |
| May 19-Aug. 1, 2026, offered hybrid | Population Health for Clinicians |
| Summer 2026 | Identify mentor; Choose scholarly project topic; Work on scholarly project |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
William Tierney, MD | wtierney@iu.edu | 317-278-9531
Amanda Benaderet, MD, MPH | abenader@iu.edu | 317-948-2700
Priscilla Barnes, PhD | prbarnes@iu.edu | 812-855-4789
Jordan Holmes, MD | jorholme@iu.edu
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 10
Home campus is Evansville. Most coursework and scholarly work (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship course) takes place at the Evansville campus.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 26-June 1, 2026, offered in person | Introduction to Health Care Innovation and Implementation |
| June 2-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Learn Six Sigma for Healthcare Professionals |
| June 26-July 31, 2026, offered in person | Scholarly Concentration Project |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Kara Garcia, PhD | karagarc@iu.edu | 812-909-7230
Art Chlebowski, PhD | achlebow@iu.edu | 812-464-1881
Rebecca Sparks-Thissen, PhD | rsparkst@iu.edu
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 12
All coursework is online. Scholarly project locations vary by project and by agreement.
Be prepared to do the following during summer 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| June 1-26, 2026, offered online synchronous | Survey of Spiritual Traditions and Concepts in Health |
| June 29-July 24, 2026, offered online synchronous | Survey of Spiritual Care Practice and the Research of Spirit |
| During summer | Work on scholarly project |
| Please note that summer courses occur Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30–5 p.m. ET, and are not asynchronous. | |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Alex Lion DO, MPH | alion@iu.edu | 559-709-8228
Mona Raed MD | 440-667-3045
Available spots for 2025-2026 application cycle: 8
Home campus is Terre Haute. This concentration is open only to students at the Terre Haute campus. All coursework is online. Scholarly project work can occur in any rural community.
Be prepared to do the following during summer and fall 2026:
| Date and Details | Course |
| May 21-July 31, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship |
| May 19-Aug. 1, 2026, offered online asynchronous | Introduction to Public Health |
| TBD, offered online asynchronous | Introduction to Rural and Agricultural Health |
| TBD, offered hybrid (p.m.) | Rural Health Journal Club |
View more information, including requirements, course descriptions and overall timeline for this concentration.
Co-Directors Contacts
Ellen Ireland, PhD | eireland@iu.edu | 319-237-8323
Robin Danek, MPH | rdanek@iu.edu | 812-237-2469
You can participate in both the IMPRS Summer Research Program and a Scholarly Concentration during the summer between your first and second years — and they can complement each other well! In fact, IMPRS can be a great springboard for a long-term scholarly concentration project that could lead to a manuscript or publication.
However, it’s important to understand the distinction:
Scholarly Concentrations program: a longitudinal experience during medical school that involves topical courses and a scholarly project that results in a manuscript submitted for publication and a poster presentation at IU School of Medicine Education Day.
IMPRS: a 10-week summer research program. A poster is presented at the IMPRS Symposium at the end of the program. An IMPRS project and poster alone do not fulfill the requirements for a scholarly concentration; however, the project can serve as a “launching pad.”
Medical students interested in participating in both programs should plan carefully to ensure a cohesive experience. To set yourself up for success, you must:
Select a compatible research topic. You must have a research focus that works for both your scholarly concentration interests and IMPRS requirements. Your project should be designed to extend well beyond the summer IMPRS experience and continue throughout your medical school career.
Coordinate early and communicate clearly. Reach out to the concentration co-directors early in your planning process and complete the IMPRS interest form promptly. Discuss your Interests and plans with leadership from both programs to ensure alignment and prevent any unexpected conflicts or requirements.
Identify a committed mentor. Secure a research mentor who is willing and able to support your project beyond the initial summer program. This ongoing mentorship is essential for longitudinal research success.
These same planning principles apply if you're considering the IU School of Medicine AmeriCorps program or other summer research opportunities alongside your scholarly concentration.
| Which concentrations align well with IMPRS? | |
|---|---|
| Yes | Maybe |
| Biomedical Engineering and Applied Medical Technology | Business of Medicine |
| Biomedical Research | Ethics, Equity and Justice |
| Care of Hispanic/Latino Patients |
Human Sexuality and Health |
| Genetics in Medicine |
Religion and Spirituality in Medicine |
| Health Care Integration and Healthy Aging |
|
| Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
|
| Medical Education |
|
| Public Health |
|
| Quality and Innovation in Health Care |
|
| Rural Health |
|
| Urban Medicine and Health Care Disparities |
|
Talk with concentration co-directors (see concentration links above).
Email the Scholarly Concentrations team.