The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) is internationally recognized for the excellence and innovation of its research programs, spanning a wide range of health and rehabilitation disciplines and areas of focus.
SHRS research programs examine mechanisms, strategies and systems to improve the health, activity and wellness of people across the lifespan at risk for or experiencing chronic conditions or disabilities.
This research spans the full translational research continuum, comprising studies in basic science, clinical science, measurement and intervention research, health services research, implementation and dissemination research.
At SHRS, research groups and labs aim to address two major foci:
Research that examines how people execute meaningful activities and participate in community and social settings while examining domains of health and function:
Research that examines how clinical and community systems can improve health care delivery to optimize outcomes for all populations:
Communication Science and Disorders
Visit the department’s research page.
Counseling and Behavioral Health
Visit the department’s research page.
Health Information Management
Visit the department’s research page.
Occupational Therapy
Visit the department’s research page.
Physical Therapy
Visit the department’s research page.
Rehabilitation Science and Technology | Prosthetics and Orthotics
Visit the department’s research page.
Sports Medicine and Nutrition
Visit the department’s research page.
As part of a leading R-1 research University, SHRS offers Pitt undergraduate and graduate students a multitude of opportunities to engage in diverse research experiences across its departments and programs.
Participation in a research project complements a student’s classroom learning and allows them to develop mentoring relationships with faculty, gain critical skills, access resources to pursue their own research interests, clarify life goals and strengthen career aspirations.
Pitt students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by joining a faculty member’s research lab. Students are able to select their preferred departments and level of involvement, from paid student workers to academic study and unpaid internships.
Applications are reviewed by faculty members working in the student’s specified area of interest and matched to available opportunities.
Pitt Passport is required.
SHRS students can benefit from several funding options to pursue their own research interests.
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences welcomes undergraduate students who are interested in conducting meaningful research that addresses a social or disability problem in the health, assistive technology and rehabilitation fields to apply for the SHRS Undergraduate Student Summer Research Award.
The application is open until March 14, 2025. See application instructions and FAQs below.
Application Materials and Instructions
1. SHRS Undergraduate Student Summer Research Award Application Form
2. Project Proposal
The project proposal is the key element of the application. The proposal must include the following sections:
Note: Please use common language accessible to the non-scientific community.
Formatting requirements: The proposal must be no more than five (5) pages in length typed (double spaced, in 12 pt. Calibri style font, with 1-inch margins), have a title, numbered pages and show your name on the top of every page.
3. Current CV/Resume
4. Current Academic Transcript
This need not be an official transcript issued by the Registrar’s Office, but please make sure it is up-to-date and shows your name, declared major(s)/minor(s)/certificate(s), and current GPA.
5. Letter of Support from faculty research mentor
Applicants must secure a letter of support from a faculty research mentor who can comment on the applicant’s qualities and personal characteristics that will contribute to a successful research project, or towards completion of a research project already in progress. The letter of recommendation should address:
The mentor must be a SHRS faculty member. Students are encouraged to request the letter of support from the mentor well in advance of the application deadline.
Submit the entire application by email to Kevin Conley (kconley@pitt.edu), Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, before the March 14 deadline.
FAQs
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has a Student and Trainee Research Fund. The primary purpose of the fund is to encourage research activity and defray the expenses associated with this research for SHRS students and postdoctoral trainees while they are engaged in SHRS programs. Since funds are very limited, grant awards are a maximum of $1,000 for a maximum of 12 months.
Current SHRS students can review eligibility, criteria and application procedures for this scholarship on the Current Student Hub.
The SHRS Doctoral Student Award provides funding to PhD students who have passed a written comprehensive examination to support their research projects that are related to their dissertation research. Students can apply for up to $7,500. There will be two (2) application/review periods per year, early October and end of March.
Current SHRS students can review eligibility and criteria for this scholarship on the Current Student Hub.
Working with the University’s Innovation Institute, SHRS’ Innovation Challenge allows faculty, staff and students to compete for funds to assist with the translation of technology. The challenge is a multi-step process involving an educational program and development activities. We are leveraging the knowledge and experience of Pitt’s Innovation Institute to conduct the challenge.
Current research investigators and staff have access to a myriad of tools and resources to advance their research.
Check out the SEARCH SharePoint site, an internal SHRS intranet, with helpful guides, resources and forms to propose and manage research projects.
Pitt Passport is required.
Pitt Passport required.
