Medicine (BSc Med)

Research proposal structure

Your research proposal should include the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Hypothesis and methods (including sample sizes, calculations, and methods for statistical analysis)
3. Expected results
4. Expected conclusions
5. References and supporting materials

Formatting guidelines

• Use single spacing and 12-point Arial font.
• The first four sections (Introduction, Hypothesis and methods, Expected results, Expected conclusions) should not exceed three pages.
• References and supporting materials should not exceed four pages.
• The entire proposal should be no longer than seven pages.

Abstract guidelines

The abstract is a brief overview of your proposed project. It should be one page long, with a maximum of 250 words, and should include the following details:

• Student name
• Primary supervisor name
• Co-supervisor name
• Title
• Background
• Methods (materials, statistical methods, and sample size)
• Anticipated results

Review process

To ensure that trainees have the best experience in the BSc (Med) Program, all research proposals are reviewed independently by two established investigators from the University of Manitoba. These reviewers prepare a joint commentary for the Undergraduate Research Program’s Review Committee. The committee then meets to discuss all submitted projects. Some projects will be accepted as is, others will need further review and responses to questions from the reviewers, and some may be deemed unsuitable and rejected.

Evaluation criteria

Research projects for the BSc (Med) Program are evaluated based on:

• Scientific merit: The overall scientific value of the project.
• Feasibility: Whether the project can be completed by a student over two summers.
• Educational value: The learning benefits of the research experience.
• Supervision quality: The expected quality of supervision and the research environment.

Outcomes

After evaluation, projects will receive one of three outcomes:

• Accepted: No further information or clarification needed.
• Needs more information: Neither accepted nor rejected; additional details are required.
• Rejected: The project is not suitable. The committee will suggest alternatives such as finding a new project or supervisor, or continuing outside the BSc (Med) Program.

Once a project is completely rejected, it cannot be revised and resubmitted in the same year. However, if the supervisor wishes, the project can be revised and resubmitted for the next intake year.

Options for rejected projects

If your project is rejected, you may:

• Proceed independently: Continue with the project outside the Undergraduate Research Program, but note that it won’t count towards the BSc (Med) degree.
• Submit an alternative project: Choose a new project and submit it by the deadline. This new project can be with the same investigator or a different approved investigator.

The deadline for authorized withdrawal from the BSc (Med) Program and the Summer Research Program is June 17, 2024. This applies only to the first summer of the program.

If you withdraw from the BSc (Med) program after completing the first summer, you will not be eligible for the One Summer Research Program.

For more information on the authorized withdrawal process, please contact the program coordinator.

If you are a first-year medical student enrolled in the One Summer Research Program and wish to transition your project to a BSc (Med) project, you need to submit a revised proposal and a letter of support from your supervisor.

To request the change from the One Summer Research Program to the BSc (Med) Program, email your request to advanceddegreesmedicine@umanitoba.ca by July 8, 2024.