Medical Education Scholars Program (MESP)
The Medical Education Scholars Program (MESP) is an internationally acclaimed 8-month intensive faculty development program designed for early career medical school faculty and select fellows to develop as clinician educators, leaders and scholars in medical education.
The annual program is focused on the development of a scholarly educational project, as well as skill development in educational leadership, teaching, and scholarship.
For More Information
Program Overview
Classes meet on Tuesday afternoons, beginning in October and ending the following June. Weekly seminars address topics in educational theory, methods, and research, and presentations are given by U-M Medical School faculty and staff with expertise in educational research, clinical teaching skills, and leadership in academic medicine. Sessions are designed to be interactive and are supported by readings and application exercises.
Since the program was established in 1998 by Larry D. Gruppen, PhD, Professor of Learning Health Sciences, over 300 faculty and fellows at the University of Michigan have participated in this CME-granting program.
Program Components
The once weekly seminars address topics in educational theory, methods, and research, and presentations are given by U-M Medical School faculty and staff with expertise in educational research, clinical teaching skills, and leadership in academic medicine. Sessions are designed to be interactive and are supported by readings and application exercises.
Specific topics covered in the course include curriculum design, clinical teaching skills, program evaluation, educational theory and research methods, presentation skills, building a career in health professions education.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Implement novel teaching and learning strategies grounded in educational theory that lead to educational process improvement and change
- Develop individual skills for leading educational programs, curricula or experiences with a focus on education-related scholarship
- Complete a scholarly educational project for local dissemination
- Participate in a community of practice that develops professional skills, evidence, and identity as a clinician educator.
The cornerstone of MESP is the Individual Project. Each Scholar will identify an issue in education relevant to their interests and will develop and carry out an Individual project during their time in MESP. This project will provide the Scholar with an opportunity to apply the principles, skills, and methods taught during the program and to develop a scholarly approach to educational research and development. Projects typically include curriculum development, instructional design, or program evaluation.
Scholars present their project to the U-M Medical School community at the year-end MESP Research Symposium (held annually in conjunction with the annual Roland “Red” Hiss Lecture usually on the first Tuesday in June).
Building a community of practice for emerging leaders in medical education is a central goal of MESP. MESP offers a supportive and collegial environment for junior faculty and fellows to build skills in the Program’s target areas and to develop and carry out their Individual Project. Scholars are mentored by MESP Director Caren Stalburg, and each person will have several opportunities to workshop their project and consult subject matter experts as part of the Program.
The 2026-2027 course will take place on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-4:30pm, and will run from October 13, 2026 until June 1, 2027. The 2026-2027 program will be conducted in person, according to University guidelines for educational programs.
How to Apply
The program cost is $3000 payable by shortcode.
Admission to the program is competitive, and approximately 10-12 Scholars per year will be accepted into MESP. We encourage applications from both faculty and fellows; however, historically the Program primarily serves faculty development needs and therefore accepts a limited number of fellows.
For the 2026-2027 cohort, applications will be accepted now through May 31, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by mid-June.
Your application to the Medical Education Scholars Program must include:
From the applicant:
1. Cover letter identifying your name, title, and contact information
2. A personal statement explaining your interest in the Medical Education Scholars Program. Note: Strong statements will describe your defined educational leadership roles, responsibility for curricular elements along with scholarly interest in medical education.
2. One-page proposal for an education-related research project you intend to carry out during MESP
Note: Strong proposals will be scoped to be completed during the 2026-2027 MESP 6-9-month time frame, stand to make an important contribution to the field of medical education, and will be led by the MESP Scholar individually or as part of an existing team.
4. Signed copy of the MESP Key Dates and Attendance Policy document
5. Your Elements CV
From your division/department head:
1. A letter supporting your participation in the Medical Education Scholars Program
- This letter must include an affirmation of release time for attendance at the weekly Tuesday afternoon sessions from October 13, 2026, through May 30, 2027, and a medical education research seminar and graduation reception the afternoon/evening of June 1, 2027.
- The letter should also state whether the department will provide funding for the Scholar to participate in MESP. The program cost for 2026-2027 is $3000.
- Be sure to share your education-related research project proposal with your chair.
Please submit your application materials via email at [email protected].
April 7, 2026 – Application period opens
May 31, 2026 – Application period closes
June 16, 2026 – Application decisions announced
Contact
Dr. Caren Stalburg, MESP Director
Email: [email protected]
Dierdre Jeske, MESP, Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Accreditation
The U-M Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The U-M Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 91 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
To claim CME Credit, please visit CloudCME.
Program Scholars
Hear From Past Scholars
- “The Medical Education Scholars Program has been an inspiring and stimulating adventure in education, an opportunity not to be missed for anyone who is passionate about teaching.”
- “The MESP course demonstrated the intense interest on the part of many individuals to advance the quality and advocate for the recognition of teaching as a major component of our mission.”
- “In working with colleagues who have a strong interest in education, I gained a better understanding of the problems and possible solutions facing us all. The resources made available in this way continue to be of great benefit.”
- “During the past year of MESP, I’ve been exposed to more educational resources and contacts here at the University than I would have accomplished on my own in five years.”
Roland “Red” Hiss Lectureship
We're proud to host the Department of Learning Health Sciences’ annual Roland “Red” Hiss Lecture, which empowers faculty participants to exchange ideas in medical education with a variety of visiting scholars.
Program Leadership
Caren M Stalburg, MD, MA
Clinical Professor of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School
Dierdre Jeske
MESP Program Coordinator
Research Opportunities
Our research programs offer a variety of opportunities to generate new knowledge and enhance learning at all levels of scale in order to improve health.
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