Applying
Start your journey as a pediatrician-scientist
A four-step process from institutional endorsement to full application. Everything you need to know is below — including deadlines, eligibility considerations, and direct links to forms.
Application Process
Four steps to apply
Each step must be completed in order. Read carefully — deadlines differ depending on how many candidates your institution is putting forward.
Read the statement & get institutional endorsement
Prospective applicants initiate the process by first reading the Statement on Clinical and Translational Research and securing the endorsement of their sponsoring institution. Sponsoring institutions are limited to no more than two applicants.
Submit the eligibility form to the Program Administrator
The endorsed prospective applicant submits their Eligibility Form to the Program Administrator. Each institution is limited to no more than two applications. For institutions with more than two interested candidates, an internal review process must be conducted first.
≤ 2 candidates: deadline Feb 16 3+ interested: internal review, then Mar 2Program Administrator determines eligibility
The Program Administrator will determine eligibility according to the Eligibility Criteria and then send out the official application form with full instructions to eligible candidates.
Submit the full application
Applicants submit the provided application form by April 15th of their application year. Should the submission date fall on a weekend, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
Full application due: April 15, 2026Important Considerations
Who should apply & when
The PSDP's mission is to train pediatricians as scientists. PSDP encourages and supports 100% protected research time, but applicants may request up to 20% clinical time in all three years of PSDP training. The Fellow's sponsoring department chair and clinical fellowship program director must agree to this stipulation.
Physicians in residency programs (PGY-3)
Physicians in residency programs apply to the PSDP by April 15th of the PGY-3 year. Candidates who are fast-tracking should submit an Eligibility Form in the Fall of PGY-2. The eligibility form deadline is February 15th in the year the application is submitted, though submitting by the fall of PGY-3 is strongly encouraged.
Subspecialty fellows with 13–24 months of clinical duties
Physicians in subspecialty programs whose disciplines require 13–24 months of clinical responsibilities — including cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and neonatology — should apply by April 15th of their first year of fellowship (PGY-4). The section chief and department chair must guarantee in writing that the ~14 months between April of the PGY-4 year and July of the PGY-6 year will be used to complete most clinical requirements prior to the start of PSDP-supported research.
First-year subspecialty fellows (PGY-4) — two pathways
Any PGY-4 first-year subspecialty fellow may apply as long as they are guaranteed three full years of protected research time (80%). Additionally, any PGY-4 first-year subspecialty fellow may apply as long as they are a fellow during one of their PSDP training years.
Research start date
All PSDP Fellows are expected to begin their protected research time on July 1, approximately 14 months after acceptance to the program. Moonlighting is strictly prohibited and PSDP requires three years of full-time laboratory work.
Protected research time requirement
The PSDP requires a minimum of 80% protected research time across all three years of training. Applicants may request up to 20% clinical time — but only if it is designed to enhance research training, not to serve divisional clinical needs. Any approved clinical time must be requested at the time of application. Moonlighting is strictly prohibited.
Key Dates
Application timeline — 2026 cycle
Submit eligibility form (strongly encouraged)
Fast-tracking candidates and PGY-3 residents are strongly encouraged to submit their Eligibility Form no later than the fall of PGY-3.
Eligibility form deadline — institutions with ≤ 2 candidates
Endorsed prospective applicants from institutions with one or two candidates must submit their eligibility form to the Program Administrator by February 16th.
Eligibility form deadline — institutions with 3+ interested candidates
Institutions with more than two interested candidates must conduct an internal review process and submit the two final applicants' eligibility forms by March 2nd.
Program Administrator sends application form
The Program Administrator determines eligibility per the Eligibility Criteria and distributes the official application form with instructions to eligible candidates.
Full application due — 2027 cycle
Complete applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026 for the 2027 program cycle. If this date falls on a weekend, the deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
Protected research begins
All PSDP Fellows are expected to begin their protected research time on July 1, approximately 14 months after acceptance to the program.
Applying — In Depth
Explore the applying section
Eligibility Criteria
Detailed requirements for who qualifies to apply, including degree requirements, training status, and institutional constraints.
View criteriaGuidelines
Full application guidelines including what to include, formatting requirements, and accepted biosketch formats.
View guidelinesTimeline
A detailed breakdown of all application dates and program milestones across the full application cycle.
View timelineSelection
Learn how the selection committee evaluates applications and what distinguishes a successful PSDP candidate.
View selection processProgrammatic Priorities
Details on available funded slots this cycle, partnering organizations, and research focus areas supported by consortium funders.
View prioritiesFAQ for Applicants
Answers to the most common questions from prospective applicants about eligibility, timing, and the application process.
View FAQReady to take the next step?
Start by submitting your eligibility form. Institutions with more than two interested candidates must conduct an internal review before submission.
Submit eligibility form Check eligibility criteriaStep 1: Prospective applicants initiate the process by first reading the Statement on Clinical and Translational Research, and getting the endorsement of their sponsoring institution. Please note sponsoring institutions are limited to no more than two applicants.
Step 2: The endorsed prospective applicant submits their Eligibility Form to the Program Administrator (no later than February 16th for institutions with 2 candidates; no later than March 2nd for institutions with more than 2 interested candidates; they will need to conduct an internal process). Each institution is limited to no more than two applications. For those who have more than two applicants, please conduct an internal review process so that the two final applicants can submit their eligibility form by the March 2nd deadline.
Step 3: The Program Administrator will determine eligibility according to the Eligibility Criteria and then send out the application form with instructions.
Step 4: Applicants submit the provided application form by April 15th of their application year. Should the submission date fall on a weekend, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
Full application submission is due on April 15, 2026 for the 2027 cycle.
The PSDP’s mission is to train pediatricians as scientists. PSDP encourages and supports 100% protected research time, but applicants may request up to 20% clinical time in all three years of PSDP training. The Fellow’s sponsoring department chair and clinical fellowship program director must also agree to this stipulation.
- Physicians who are in residency programs will apply to the PSDP by April 15th of the PGY-3 year. Therefore, candidates who are fast-tracking in pediatrics should submit an Eligibility Form in the Fall of the PGY-2. The deadline for submitting the Eligibility Form is February 15th in the year the application will be submitted, however it is strongly encouraged to submit an Eligibility Form no later than the fall of the PGY-3 year. Should the submission date fall on a weekend, the eligibility and full application deadlines are automatically extended to the next business day.
- Physicians in subspecialty programs whose disciplines require 13-24 months of clinical responsibilities (i.e., cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and neonatology) should apply to the PSDP by April 15th of their first year of fellowship (PGY-4 year). The section chief and department chair of the sponsoring department must guarantee in writing that the ~14 months between April of the PGY-4 year and July of the PGY-6 year will be used to complete most clinical requirements or other patient-care responsibilities prior to the start of PSDP-supported research.
- Any PGY4 first-year subspecialty fellow may apply as long as they are guaranteed three full years of protected research time (80%)
- Any PGY4 first year subspecialty fellow may apply as long as they are a fellow during one of their PSDP training years.
All PSDP Fellows are expected to begin their protected research time on July 1, ~14 months after acceptance to the program.
Funding for this application cycle will come from the following: