STRIVE – Scholarship, Training, and Research Internship in Veteran Experiences

The VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans (CoE) at the Doris Miller VA Medical Center partners with Baylor University to provide a two-year, integrated research training program for undergraduates interested in mental health research and preparation for graduate or medical school.

During the first year of the program, students enroll in PHP 2101 (Foundations of Medical Research) and PHP 2V9R (Medical Research). Through these courses, students receive formal training in research ethics, human subject protection, literature searching, and scientific writing. They develop a focused literature review on a topic related to veterans’ mental health and present their work in the form of a scholarly poster at the end of the academic year. This first year is designed to build strong foundational skills in research methods, critical reading of the scientific literature, and professional communication as well as a greater understanding and appreciation of military culture.

In the second year, a select group of students is invited to continue into the VA-CERP research internship at the CoE. These students are matched with faculty investigators and become active members of ongoing research teams. Current studies at the CoE focus on the assessment, functioning, and treatment of mental health problems in returning war Veterans, with particular emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, suicide prevention, substance use disorders, and trajectories of functioning over time.

Second-year students work under the supervision of doctoral-level researchers and gain hands-on experience in multiple aspects of clinical research, including data collection and management, participant screening, literature review, coordination of research materials, and participation in research meetings. In addition to technical training, students receive mentorship in preparing for graduate and medical school and in developing a professional identity as researchers and future clinicians or scientists.

Graduates of the VA-CERP pathway have gone on to pursue advanced training at institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Arizona, Kansas State University, the University of Houston, Baylor University, the University of Denver, Trinity University, Eastern Illinois University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Application is open!

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Program Timeline

• December - Application to the program opens
• February - Applications due
• March - Candidates will go through an interview process
• April - Candidates will be selected and notified
• April - Mandatory orientation for contract candidates
• May through June - Accepted students complete mandatory credentialing process and paperwork
• End of August (2025) - Fall classes begin; internship research begins and first research meeting held
• Beginning of May (2026) - Spring classes end; internship research concludes and 2-semester commitment ends

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Rizalia_Klausmeyer@baylor.edu. Thank you for your interest in being a research assistant at the Center of Excellence.

Acceptance to this program will be based on academic achievements, student involvement, and interest in order to create valuable student/mentor relationships.** Eligible students must submit a completed application by the deadline to be considered for this opportunity. Learn more about the required application materials for the Center of Excellence Research Program at https://prehealth.web.baylor.edu/resources/research/va-cerp/required-application-materials. There are no student stipends for this program at this time.

** Students selected to participate in these programs must attend all mandatory meetings and be dedicated to completing the programs from beginning to end. We will NOT make any exceptions for missed meetings or time off. If a selected student is unable to participate in the program as indicated, then the student will be removed from the program immediately. If you cannot participate during a program's timeline, you should not apply to that program.