RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has welcomed a new cohort of doctors to undertake a two-year Strategic Academic Recruitment (StAR) Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree, bringing the number recruited to the programme to 61.

RCSI established the StAR MD programme in 2016 to strengthen translational research and build on skilled clinical expertise to improve modern healthcare issues. The programme is an opportunity for surgical and medical registrars/specialist registrars and general practitioners to implement research and evidence in their clinical careers to improve patient care and service user experience.

Each StAR MD scholar is mentored and supervised by two leading Principal Investigators and, on completion of their thesis, will receive the Doctor of Medicine qualification, awarded at the highest level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

"The StAR MD programme offers registrars an opportunity to advance their careers while ultimately benefiting the health of patients," said Professor Emer Reeves, Deputy Head of RCSI's School of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the StAR MD programme.

She added: “At the heart of the programme is collaboration with academic, hospital and industry partners – engagements which are critical in translating research into improved health outcomes in Ireland and globally. I am delighted that we are extending our programme further for the 2023 intake, partnering with the Irish College of General Practitioners and UPMC Whitfield Waterford, to open up the programme to more eligible candidates nationally.”

Translational research

RCSI’s StAR MD programme is run in collaboration with Beacon Hospital, Bon Secours Hospital, Blackrock Health Blackrock Clinic, Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic, Highfield Healthcare, Mater Private Network and the Sports Surgery Clinic. The new 2023 programme will also collaborate with the Irish College of General Practitioners and UPMC Whitfield Waterford.

In addition to providing the collaborating hospitals with increased capacity for patient care, the programme also offers an opportunity for companies to support translational research from within a hospital setting, relevant to the company's field of interest. The 2022 StAR MD Programme received industry support from GSK Ireland, Pfizer Ireland, Roche and MSD.

2023 applications

The new StAR MD candidates will investigate some of the most pressing health issues affecting society and are supervised by leading Principal Investigators in these areas. They will also be supported by RCSI's School of Postgraduate Studies, enabling the StAR MD programme to advance translation research to improve patient outcomes.

Applications for July 2023 are now open. Applications should include a CV, research proposal and application form, and be emailed to starmd@rcsi.ie by Thursday, 6 January 2023. The application form and further information are available here.

Each candidate receives a competitive bursary and resources for research consumables and expenses. They maintain clinical practice through our collaborations with private hospitals in Ireland, who hire StAR MD candidates as employees during the two-year research project.

The private hospital also sponsors MD postgraduate fees. Candidates are supported through our dedicated School of Postgraduate Studies and will have a strong research impact through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences and workshops.