Global Clinical Scholars Research Training

The courses provide scholars with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical research process, which they can then build upon with their selected elective.

*Students may select from one of the following electives: 

• Secondary Analysis of Clinical Trials
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
• Precision Medicine 

*Subject to change

Global Clinical Scholars Research Training explores the following themes throughout the intensive workshops, recorded lectures, virtual seminars, and group and individual assignments. 

• Epidemiological Principles
  • Confounding
  • Randomization
  • Effect Modification
  • Bias and Misclassification
  • Study Design
    • Observational Studies
    • Randomized Clinical Trials
• Advanced Statistical Methods
  • Descriptive Statistics
  • Linear Regression
  • Logistic Regression
  • Survival Analysis
  • Sample Size Calculation
• Research Ethics
  • Informed Consent
  • Ethics Board Approvals
  • Data Safety and Monitoring
  • Interim Statistical Analysis 

Scholars will develop a formal research proposal based on an original research question, with the writing process beginning prior to the second workshop. Throughout the program, both faculty and peers provide structured feedback to support each scholar’s progress. Upon completion, a faculty panel will evaluate and rank the capstone projects. The top ten proposals will be selected for presentation in a live webinar open to all program participants, and the authors of the top three proposals will be invited to present their work at the final workshop.

All participants must complete the following academic and attendance requirements in order to be granted a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School.

Attendance at Workshops and Webinars

• Learners are required to attend and actively engage in all workshops.
• Learners are required to attend live, interactive webinars scheduled in between workshops. If a learner cannot attend due to an occasional scheduling conflict, it may be possible to complete an alternative assignment.

Successful Completion of Assignments

• Learners are required to complete, submit on time, and receive passing grades on course-related assignments, including quizzes, exams, individual and team-based assignments. 

Global Clinical Scholars Research Training (GCSRT) is an advanced, blended-learning postgraduate certificate program tailored for clinicians and scientists from around the world, strengthening skills at every stage of the research process — from drafting grant proposals and initiating projects to analyzing data and presenting findings. Applicants must have authored at least two peer-reviewed published articles.  

This program is designed for faculty-level clinicians or scientists with advanced degrees such as an MD, PhD, MBBS, DMD, DDS, PharmD, DNP, or equivalent. Successful candidates must have authored at least two peer-reviewed articles; the review committee will consider candidates with a master's degree on a case-by-case basis. The most recent cohort represented 30 countries.

The program runs for 11 months and includes three required workshops. Fall 2027 dates will be announced soon.

The program fee is $18,500. A no-interest payment installment plan is available, beginning with a $4,625 deposit followed by nine monthly installments of $1,388.

Global Clinical Scholars Research Training is a blended program that requires attendance at three intensive workshops — two held live online and one held in person at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Participants should expect to dedicate an average of 7–10 hours per week to coursework, including pre-recorded materials, live online lectures, faculty review sessions, team projects, and an individual capstone assignment.

Learners who complete the program requirements earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School. Upon successful completion of the program, learners are able to join the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) as an associate member. 

The curriculum includes two to four interactive webinars monthly and more than 55 recorded online lectures covering Epidemiological Principles (confounding, randomization, effect modification, bias, study design), Advanced Statistical Methods (descriptive statistics, regression, survival analysis, sample size calculation), and Research Ethics (informed consent, ethics board approvals, data safety monitoring). Students select one elective: Secondary Analysis of Clinical Trials, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, or Precision Medicine. 

Scholars develop a formal research proposal based on an original research question, beginning the writing process prior to the second workshop, with structured feedback from faculty and peers throughout the program. A faculty panel evaluates and ranks the capstone projects; the top ten proposals are presented in a live webinar open to all participants, and the authors of the top three are invited to present at the final workshop. 

Upon completing the program, scholars can design and conduct both observational and experimental clinical research; analyze, interpret, and present clinical research data effectively; write and refine successful grant proposals; and lead and collaborate with interdisciplinary clinical research teams. 

The Faculty Director is Jamie M. Robertson, PhD, MPH, Senior Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is also the faculty director for Foundations of Clinical Research postgraduate certificate program. Additional core faculty include Sagar Nigwekar, MD, MMSc, and Gearoid McMahon, MB, BCh, FASN, supported by an extensive workshop and online teaching team. 

Learners must attend and actively engage in all workshops and required live, interactive webinars scheduled between workshops (an alternative assignment may be available for an occasional scheduling conflict). Learners must also complete, submit on time, and receive passing grades on course-related assignments, including quizzes, exams, and individual and team-based work. 

Applicants must submit current contact information and credentials, a CV or résumé, a 250–500 word written statement, and a letter of recommendation from a department/division head, director, chair, or supervisor dated within 12 months of the application submission date. There is no application fee for the program. All program fee assistance requests must be received by the early application deadline.

Harvard Medical School offers two clinical research certificate programs for health care professionals at varying career stages: Global Clinical Scholars Research Training, for faculty-level clinicians and scientists with an intermediate research background, and Foundations of Clinical Research, for those with little to no prior clinical research experience. Applicants who are unsure which program to apply to may submit an application, and the HMS team will recommend the best fit based on experience. 

Harvard Medical School Professional, Corporate, and Continuing Education offers Program Group options for organizations that want to send multiple participants. Organizations interested in enrolling a team in Global Clinical Scholars Research Training can contact our team directly for details on group rates and enrollment. 

To prepare your application for submission, please have the following documents available:

• Current contact information and credentials: This information is required for the online application.
• Curriculum vitae/résumé/list of awards or publications: You will be prompted to upload either your CV or résumé (.doc, .pdf).
• Written statement: Please provide a 250-500 word explanation as to why you would like to be considered for this program. Please note, you may be asked for additional information to support of your submission. All program specific requirements can be found within the application.*
• Letter of recommendation: The recommender must be a department/division head/director/chair or supervisor. The letter should be dated within 12 months of the application submission date and should address your suitability for the program and support your attendance at the workshops. Please note: The letter of recommendation may be submitted at a later date, but it is required for your application to be considered.
• Program Fee assistance: If you are requesting program fee assistance, you will be prompted to submit a statement in support of your request. All program fee assistance requests must be received by the early application deadline, July 29, 2026. Please read the Program Fee section above for further details.

There is no application fee for this program.

*Your personal statement is an opportunity for the admissions committee to hear your voice. We strongly discourage the use of generative AI technologies, like ChatGPT, in your application essay. If an essay does use generative AI, then it must be acknowledged. If an essay is suspected to have used one of these tools without attribution or in its entirety, we reserve the right to deny your admission to the program or request that you submit a new essay in order to be considered.

We will acknowledge receipt of all applications and maintain all application information in strict confidence.

Students can expect to hear a decision on their application within four to six weeks from the date all application materials were submitted. Payment Plans are available for this program. Please contact the Admissions and Enrollment Services Team to learn more.