General Psychiatry Residency Research Track
The General Psychiatry Residency Research Track in the U-M Medical School Department of Psychiatry is designed to prepare psychiatry residents for successful research careers while ensuring clinical excellence.
Unlike traditional programs that postpone research training until fellowship, residents in the Research Track participate in research activities throughout their residency, alongside continued clinical training. This integrated approach offers a true “translational” training experience.
The 4-year research track residency can also be integrated with a T32 fellowship, either in addiction research or neuroimaging, which would add a hybrid fellowship/instructor year to follow the residency, designed for physician-scientists who want to specialize in these areas. The fellowship includes specialty modules, leading to K-award applications.
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Program Overview
The General Psychiatry Residency Research Track is recognized for its longstanding excellence and was the first psychiatry residency program funded by an NIMH R25 grant. Residents apply to the general residency program, indicating their interest in the research track. A separate application, once in the regular residency, is made to the research track during their first or second year, after identifying a mentoring team and research project.
Upon approval, dedicated research time can begin in PGY-II or PGY-III, for up to 15 months over four years. Research time can be arranged flexibly - either full-time blocks or set days each week.
Research Track residents receive set-aside research funds ($10–20K) through the Friedman Family Fund or the Research Track Scholar Award. Additional pilot funding opportunities are available from centers such as the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR).
Since its inception in the late 1980s, the program has enrolled 34 trainees. Of the 28 graduates, 89% hold academic positions, and 61% have advanced to associate or full professor, including 9 department chairs or vice-chairs.
How to Apply
- Submit a proposed research project (objectives and methodology)
- Identify a mentor (with letters of support)
- Provide documentation of project support (not stipend)
- Outline a career development plan integrating research and clinician-investigator pathways
- Include any plans for professional development, such as academic visits
Applications are reviewed by the Research Track Executive Committee. Accepted residents are reviewed annually.
Eligibility
Open to psychiatry residents or child psychiatry fellows (MD or DO required). Typically, up to two new residents are accepted each year.
Contact
Mentorship
Research Track residents choose an experienced research mentor responsible for their training. Mentors offer ongoing guidance, and the Research Track Executive Committee conducts annual reviews. Projects may be basic or clinical and span any area of psychiatry.
Residents may work with faculty from the Department of Psychiatry, the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, or (with approval) faculty outside these departments.
Research Opportunities
We provide residents with extensive research opportunities and a collaborative scientific environment:
- Over 50 funded active investigators in the department
- $53 million in NIH funding (FFY2025), ranking 7th nationally among medical school psychiatry departments
- Strong campus collaborations across multiple institutes and centers
Our research areas include addiction, health services, neuroimaging, brain stimulation, sleep, suicide, geropsychiatry, and dementia.
Residents join a community of scholars, sharing learning opportunities and building peer networks alongside post-doctoral fellows and faculty. Resources like MICHR provide additional training, tools, and grant development opportunities.
Program Leadership
Stephan F Taylor
Professor of Psychiatry and Chair
Department of Psychiatry
Medical School
Wellness
The health and well-being of our team is a priority for our department's culture. Through onsite wellness programs and services, we offer diverse resources designed to support both you and your family.
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