SPARK 2027 Research Application

Complete this application in one sitting. Your progress cannot be saved for later.

Fields marked * are required. Enter N/A for research experience, awards, or publications if you have none.

Application deadline: Sunday, January 10, 2027, 11:59 PM EST

Download the application questions (PDF) to prepare your answers.

Personal Information

Last Name *

First Name *

Middle Name

Preferred Name

Date of Birth *

Mailing Address — Street *

City *

State *

ZIP *

Phone (Primary) *

Phone (Secondary / Optional)

Email Address (Primary) *

Email Address (Institutional / University) *

Academic Background

Current Institution (must be within the Atlanta VA catchment area) *

Campus Location / City *

Department / Program of Study *

Degree Sought *

Specify degree *

Expected Graduation Date *

Current Year in Program *

Previous Research Experience *

Enter N/A if you have no previous research experience. 1500 character limit.

Honors, Awards, Fellowships & Scholarships *

Enter N/A if you have none. 1500 character limit.

Publications, Presentations & Posters *

List published articles, conference presentations, or poster presentations using standard citation format. If none, enter N/A. 1500 character limit.

Research Interest & Proposed Project

Primary Research Area of Interest *

Select one primary area.

Other research area — please describe *

Required when you select Other above.

Secondary Research Area of Interest (if applicable)

1500 character limit.

Specific Topic or Research Question of Interest *

Briefly describe the specific topic or question you would like to investigate during the fellowship. 1500 character limit.

Preferred Research Methodology *

Qualitative

Quantitative

Mixed Methods

Laboratory / Bench Research

Clinical / Patient-facing Research

Data / Epidemiological Analysis

Systematic Review / Meta-analysis

Other

Check all that apply.

Other methodology — please describe *

Required when you select Other above.

VA Research Resources, Databases, or Clinical Populations of Interest

Describe any specific VA resources, datasets (e.g., CDW, CPRS, MVP), or patient populations you hope to work with, if known. 1500 character limit.

Career Goal Alignment — Personal Statement *

Describe how this fellowship aligns with your long-term academic or professional trajectory. 1500 character limit.

Evidence of Research Thinking (200 words max) *

Describe a specific research, lab, clinical, or data project you've worked on. What was one decision or problem you had to work through, and how did you approach it? 200 words max.

Research Reasoning Prompt (150 words max) *

no prior experience required - Veterans with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, PTSD, cardiovascular disease) often face challenges maintaining treatment plans after leaving a clinical setting. Propose one way you might investigate why this happens. You don't need prior research experience — we're interested in how you think about a problem, not a "correct" answer 150 words max.

Fit & Goals (150 words max) *

How does this specific program — not research in general — fit into your training and career goals? 150 words max.

What skills do you bring that would make you a strong contributor to a research team this summer? *

For example: statistical analysis, lab techniques, clinical experience, or data management. This question helps us find a good research team for you. 1500 character limit.

Is there a particular VA researcher, lab, or ongoing study you are especially interested in working with? *

If so, why? *

Name the researcher, lab, or study and explain why you are interested. 1500 character limit. Required when you select Yes above.

Required Materials

Letters of recommendation:

Two letters of recommendation are required; a maximum of three is accepted. Letters must be submitted directly by the recommender to the Program Directors via email to Dr. Selma Cuya-Smith ([email protected]) by the application deadline.

Include your full legal name so the letters can be matched to your application.

Upload your CV or résumé and undergraduate transcript(s). Graduate transcript(s) are required if you have them available; otherwise, explain why below. Official or unofficial transcripts are accepted. You can add up to 2 files for each transcript category.

Accepted extensions: csv,doc,docx,xls,xlsx,pdf,rtf,txt. Maximum 10 MiB per file.

CV or Résumé *

Undergraduate Transcript(s) *

Do you have a graduate transcript available? *

Why is a graduate transcript not available? *

For example, you may be in your first term and not yet have graduate coursework on a transcript. 1500 character limit. Required when you select No above.

Graduate Transcript(s) *