The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine GIM Research Fellowship program provides rigorous research training that prepares fellows to pursue a research career in GIM while being part of a vibrant GIM community. Fellows become an integrated part of the Division of GIM and gain a solid foundation in research skills. The fellowship includes a 2-year Masters of Science in Health Policy Research (MSHP) or Masters of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) program. In addition, the GIM fellow becomes an integral part of a rich health services research community. Interactions with the Division and Department include:
- Bi-Monthly faculty led health services and health policy research conferences
- Monthly GIM Division Grand Rounds
- Monthly Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
The Division of GIM also has numerous established clinician-scientists who welcome the opportunity to mentor fellows. Areas of research expertise among faculty in the health servicer research and health policy research community at Penn span a wide array of topics including behavioral economics, causal inference methods, medical decision making, pragmatic clinical trials, qualitative methods, and implementation science. In addition, the Division has an accomplished group of clinician-educators who conduct research in education and innovation in clinical practice.
Research Opportunities
GIM fellows can receive training in one of two graduate level programs that provide core skills in research methods and biostatistics with an emphasis on health policy research (MSHP) or clinical epidemiology (MSCE). Fellows are assigned one or more research mentors to help them successfully carry through at least two research projects from conceptual to publication. Fellows have the opportunity to work with a range of mentors across Departments and Centers at Penn including in the Division of GIM, the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI), the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, the Nudge Unit, Wharton School of Business, and the Abramson Cancer Center.
Clinical Responsibilities
Clinical fellows practice 1 to 2 half days a week in one of the Division of GIM clinical practices, the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, or for 3-4 weeks a year of inpatient medicine hospitalist at one of the University of Pennsylvania affiliated Hospitals or the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. In the outpatient setting, there are opportunities to focus in clinical areas such as Women’s Health, HIV Primary Care, or Addiction Medicine.
Teaching Responsibilities
Clinical fellows may have the opportunity to precept trainees in the primary care setting.
Mentoring
Each GIM fellow is assigned on ore more research mentors who have expertise in the fellow’s area of interest. The fellows meet with the mentor on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Mentorship and mentorship teams may evolve over the course of the program as the fellows’ interest becomes more defined. The mentor plays a key role in monitoring the programs of the fellow and ensuring that they can access the resources needed to complete their research projects. Mentor (s) also provide career guidance as the fellow’s transition through the program.
Research in Progress Seminars
The Division of General Internal Medicine (DGIM) research faculty meet bi-weekly to present research in progress. The GIM fellows are invited to present and participate in these seminars.
Campus Wide Conferences in Health Policy and Health Services Research
Across the campus of the University of Pennsylvania there are conferences and seminars that create an interdisciplinary and unique learning community in health policy research. These conferences are attended by fellows, faculty, residents, and students and often feature nationally prominent speakers as well as members of the University of Pennsylvania academic community.
Academic Meetings
General Internal Medicine fellows are invited to join the GIM Faculty in attendance at the Society of General Internal Medicine scientific meetings. Many fellows also participate in other national meetings including the Annual Research Meeting of Academy Health.
How to Apply
Criteria: Completion of a residency in Internal Medicine and a citizen of the US or non-citizen national of the US or a permanent resident of the US
Please link to the application on our Application Page:
Applications for fellowship to start July 2026 will be considered on a rolling basis.
Availability of fellowship spots are subject to available funding
GIM Fellowship Director: Marilyn Schapira, MD, MPH | 423 Guardian Drive, Blockley Hall Room 1316 | (215) 898-2022 | mschap@pennmedicine.upenn.edu