• Embed in a funded genomic medicine or ELSI research team for the duration of the fellowship to learn skills for conducting independent research, including skills in study design, data analysis and scientific presentation.
• Provide presentations on your completed research to local, regional and national audiences.
• Publish scientific manuscript(s).
• Receive mentoring from a three-member team of experienced ELSI/genomic medicine researchers, including at least one genetic counselor, tailored to your research interests and goals.
• Work one on one with a funded member of the mentoring team to develop a draft research grant to be submitted for an eligible federal, foundation or professional research award.

• Select from a flexible sequence of highly rated courses on research methods, which are offered through the Johns Hopkins University Summer Institutes in the schools of public health and nursing, the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and the Johns Hopkins Science of Clinical Investigation Training Program.
• Participate in a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine course focused on and tailored to the needs, theoretical grounding and practical aspects of genetic counseling research.
• Optional (with travel funding available): Attend an intensive research course that will provide training on advanced research methods and help build a participant’s research community.

• Engage with other scientists in evaluating new research by attending relevant seminar series, journal clubs.
• Work with mentors to identify an expert in a particular field or method of study, and develop a plan for collaboration as a co-investigator or consultant on a grant submission. 
• Join a research-focused committee or interest group in a research-focused genetics professional society, and take part in at least one initiative.
• Develop and submit a research-focused webinar or conference session for a genetics professional society meeting.

Applicants must be a graduate of a master’s degree-granting genetic counseling training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Standards of Accreditation. ACGC is the accreditation board for graduate programs in genetic counseling in the United States and much of Canada (excluding Francophone programs).

Applicants must not have a doctorate degree in a relevant clinical or research domain. This includes clinical doctorates (M.D., D.N.P., etc.) and research doctorates (Ph.D., Sc.D., Dr.PH., etc.). They must not be concurrently enrolled in any degree-granting educational program. Multiple master’s degrees are acceptable unless the master’s level training substantially overlaps with the scope of the proposed research training program. Overlap will be discussed on a case-by-case basis by program faculty with Internal Executive Committee consultation. Applicants with an additional master’s degree(s) will be asked to show the curricula of their program for review.

Applicants are required to have graduated from an ACGC-accredited genetic counseling training program at least one year previously.

If they graduated from a genetic counseling training program at least five years ago, applicants must have received certification (C.G.C.) by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Newer graduates must be board eligible with active candidate status.

Research interest will be demonstrated as part of the application and interview process. The following research products demonstrate research interest:

• first author publication(s)
• successful application for small-scale research funding (less than or equal to $50,000 direct costs) as a principal investigator (National Society of Genetic Counseling special interest group, internal institutional program, patient foundation, ABGC or NSGC research awards)
• successful development of a quality improvement project
• successful or unsuccessful application to a larger-scale (greater than $50,000 direct costs) grant.
• Considerable research experience will be defined as being the principal investigator of one or more R01-level projects, greater than $100,000/year in active research funding, or more than 10 first author original research publications.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• PROMOTE-GC fellowships are part-time paid positions with benefits.
• No tuition costs.
• Start date is flexible.
• Effort can range from 50%–80%.
• Fellowships generally last two years.
• Funds are provided for travel and housing ($6,000 per year) to support on-site time at the Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Campus in Baltimore.
• Funds are provided for an intensive research methods course outside of Johns Hopkins, if desired.
• Research methods course selection is flexible and tailored to participant needs.
• At the end of the program, each participant will have at least one submitted research paper and will have a research grant proposal ready for submission.

Yes, PROMOTE-GC fellows will be paid salary and benefits based on those available for Johns Hopkins genetic counselors.

No, PROMOTE-GC includes tuition for all coursework. Tuition and travel funds are also available for one intensive course, if desired.

The fellowship start date is flexible.

PROMOTE-GC prioritizes personalized, flexible research education. We include flexible research methods courses, intensive mentoring, embedding in a research group, and deliberate preparation for grant submission.

Yes, we expect most fellows will continue to work in their current position at a reduced level of effort.

Nearly all research courses are available online. On-site time will be dedicated to working with research preceptors, your research team and program mentors. Timing and duration of travel is flexible, but we anticipate an average of one week per month will suit many. Funding is allocated to support travel.