Dr. Sherket B. Peterson Scholarship for Research & Innovation

The information below reflects the Dr. Sherket B. Peterson Scholarship for Research & Innovation and its application requirements during the scholarship’s operation. It is preserved as part of SHPEP’s historical record.

Sherket B. Peterson, PhD, a Minority Medical Education Program (MMEP) alum, established this scholarship opportunity for alumni of the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP), and MMEP.

With support from the ADEAGies Foundation and SHPEP, the Dr. Sherket B. Peterson Scholarship for Research & Innovation provided financial support and mentorship to alumni pursuing education and careers that could advance health research or innovation. The scholarship recognized program alumni whose academic and professional interests reflected a commitment to developing new ideas, approaches, technologies, treatments, or other innovations with the potential to improve health and reduce health disparities.

Award

One student received a $3,000 scholarship and one year of mentorship. Of the total award:

  • $2,500 was distributed to the awardee’s U.S. college or university on their behalf for tuition expenses.
  • $500 was distributed directly to the awardee for educational expenses, such as books, laptops, graduate school applications, and related costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants were required to:

  • Be a program alum of SHPEP, SMDEP, SMEP, or MMEP.
  • Be a current full-time student enrolled in an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional program at an accredited U.S. college or university and have completed at least two (2) years of undergraduate studies at the time of application.
  • Be in good academic standing at their college or university.
  • Demonstrate a financial need for assistance to cover education-related expenses.
  • Demonstrate excellence in leadership, a desire to pursue a career in the health professions, and/or a passion for creating change in their community, as evidenced by a record of related activities or accomplishments.
  • Demonstrate an interest in mentorship and developing connections for personal, academic, and professional development.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to advancing new ideas, concepts, approaches, policies, programs, technologies, potential treatments, or products that improve health and reduce health disparities.

Applicants were required to submit:

  • Online scholarship application form
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member, advisor, mentor, or previous supervisor who could speak to the applicant’s experiences and qualities related to the scholarship criteria. Recommenders could not be related to the applicant.
    • A current curriculum vitae or résumé documenting relevant publications, conference presentations, academic honors or awards, research experiences or grants, employment, campus involvement, and/or community service.
    • An unofficial transcript verifying good academic standing and current and completed coursework
    • Supplemental documents (optional): Applicants could upload up to three (3) supplemental documents.

    2025 Scholarship Winner