Your research opportunities at Mayo Clinic are outstanding. The Mayo Clinic neurosciences program encompasses all three Mayo campuses — Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona — with more than:

• 400 M.D.s and Ph.D.s
• 16 departments and divisions
• 200 federal grants
• 18 National Institutes of Health center grants and program projects

All neurology residents complete at least one research project with a consultant mentor. These projects range from clinical studies to laboratory-based projects. Neurology residents often utilize the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS), which provides free consultative services for patient-oriented research and educates residents and faculty in the design, conduct, and analysis of their research.

Department of Neurology research grant funds are available to residents. The vast majority of our residents present their research at national or international meetings, supported by Mayo Clinic's liberal trip policy that financially supports trainee presentation and conference attendance trips throughout residency and fellowship.

Residents also frequently publish their findings in leading journals. A recent survey showed that the Adult Neurology Residency classes of 2019 through 2021 already have more than 192 publications in print (and counting!).

Post-residency research training

Post-residency training options in research include the Ph.D. Program and the Clinician-Investigator Training Program.

• Ph.D. Program. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers a Ph.D. Program in biomedical sciences. Ph.D. Program tracks emphasize research and include a core curriculum for strong foundations in the basic sciences and neuroscience. You do not need to declare an interest in this option when you first apply to the Adult Neurology Residency.
• Clinician Investigator Training Program. The Clinician Investigator Training Program at Mayo Clinic offers personalized training for selected individuals who wish to pursue careers as clinician-investigators. The program includes a core curriculum of seminars and graduate course work, along with protocol development and two years of uninterrupted research time, incorporated into a graduate medical education residency or fellowship training program. 

The Clinician Investigator Training Program is designed to prepare you to serve as a leader in academic medicine and includes formal training in clinical and basic research in preparation for conducting independent research. A combination of clinical specialty or subspecialty training and research experience is offered, leading to clinical specialty or subspecialty certification.

Trainees can also pursue a master's degree in biomedical science or clinical research.

If you would like to apply for a position in the Clinician-Investigator Training Program, please indicate your interest when you apply for the Adult Neurology Residency.