Applications Open for Michigan Embedded Learning Health System Training and Research Scholars

Overview

The Michigan Embedded Learning Health System Training and Research (MEL-STaR) program is now recruiting its third cohort of scholars. MEL-STAR prepares the next generation of scientists to improve health and health care by transforming real-world challenges into opportunities for learning, discovery, and positive change. MEL-STaR Scholars receive didactic, experiential, and professional development training designed to launch careers in the growing field of Learning Health System (LHS) science. Scholars are embedded within health care settings, where they work alongside clinical, operational, research, and patient partners to identify important gaps in care and develop solutions that can make a meaningful difference for patients and populations.

Through the program, scholars learn to harness health data, generate actionable evidence, and translate new knowledge into practice. Informatics and implementation science serve as foundational disciplines, providing scholars with the tools to move from identifying a problem to understanding it, developing and evaluating solutions, and supporting their implementation in real-world settings. Throughout their experience, MEL-STaR emphasizes patient-centeredness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and learning through embedded research. Scholars emerge with the methodological expertise, practical experience, mentorship, and collaborative skills needed to become leaders in Learning Health System science.

MEL-STaR is a joint initiative of the University of Michigan Department of Learning Health Sciences and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR).

Why MEL-STaR?

In addition to acquiring a unique set of research skills, MEL-STaR scholars become part of a vibrant Learning Health System community, gaining hands-on experience conducting research within the health care settings where change happens. Through individualized mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and training in the foundational sciences of Learning Health Systems, MEL-STaR Scholars develop the skills, partnerships, and real-world experience needed to launch impactful careers focused on improving health and health care. What makes MEL-STaR’s approach especially distinctive is that patient voice is not reserved for individual research projects. Rather, it is embedded in program leadership. A co-leadership role is held jointly by the MEL-STaR scholar and a patient partner to ensure that patient-centered thinking shapes the program from the inside out.

Program Experience

Integrated Learning Health Sciences Curriculum

Scholars will participate in a weekly 4-hour seminar that builds the knowledge and skills needed to conduct rigorous, impactful LHS research. The integrated curriculum spans implementation science, informatics, data science, health policy, ethics, systems science, quality improvement, stakeholder engagement, and team science. Scholars learn not only the methods of LHS research, but how to mobilize them to address complex, real-world health care challenges.

Embedded Research Experience

A defining feature of MEL-STaR is the opportunity to conduct research in settings where health care improvement is already happening. Scholars may work with U-M departments, statewide Collaborative Quality Initiatives, VA centers for quality improvement, networks of federally qualified health centers, national research networks, and other MEL-STaR-affiliated learning environments. Within these settings, scholars design, test, implement, and evaluate strategies to improve health and health care. Research opportunities span priorities such as high-quality, safe care, prevention and chronic disease management, and improving the experiences of patients, families, providers, and communities. Projects emphasize patient-centered research and align with PCORI methodology standards. A full list of MEL-STaR affiliated labs may be found here. Scholars share their work through a poster presentation at the MEL-STaR Symposium and are expected to develop an original research manuscript for publication by the conclusion of the program.

Individualized, Team-Based Mentorship

Each scholar is supported by a 4-member mentoring team designed around their research interests, methodological needs, and career goals. Scholars will receive approximately 30 hours of program-supported mentoring from methodological experts and patient-partners, with the full mentoring team meeting at least quarterly. Within the first two months of the program, scholars work with their mentors to develop an individual development plan (IDP) that establishes clear research, training, and professional development goals and provides a roadmap for their MEL-STaR experience.

A Learning Health System Community

Scholars will join a growing community of LHS scientists, faculty, program leaders, patient partners, and current and former scholars. Scholars participate in the annual MEL-STaR symposium and can engage with the broader field through opportunities such as the LHS Collaboratory Seminar Series. These connections extend beyond the formal training experience, helping scholars build the interdisciplinary relationships and professional network that are essential for a successful career in Learning Health System science.

Eligibility

The program is open to U-M faculty of any rank and any track, or physicians and other doctorally-trained clinical providers with primary appointments at U-M Health Affiliate Institutions. The eligibility of career development award and training grant recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Preference will be given to faculty with clinical responsibilities, though being a clinician is not an eligibility requirement.

Salary Coverage and Project Expenses

The program provides up to 7.5% effort coverage (salary and related fringe benefits). Scholars must commit a total of 15% effort towards this program in annual effort certification. Coverage of the additional required 7.5% effort is the responsibility of the scholar’s department. Up to an additional $15,000 to cover necessary research expenses will be awarded upon receipt and approval of an itemized budget.

Duration and Time Commitment

Scholars will spend 15% effort for one year, beginning 1/1/27. There is the opportunity for select scholars to spend an additional year in the program, dependent on progress made in the first year.

Application to the Program

From the applicant:

1. A current CV or biosketch
2. A 2 – 3 page statement describing
   1. The primary area/problem of interest for health improvement and ideas to address the problem.
   2. Your understanding of LHS and how it applies to your health problem of interest. (See article What is unique about Learning Health Systems: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9284922/)
   3. How your approach to the problem would promote principles of fair access to healthcare and patient engagement. (See article Developing a framework for integrating fair access to healthcare in the learning health system: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lrh2.10043. Also watch the videos on patient partners and fairness in healthcare access here.)
3. Your preference of a lab or research group in which you would like to embed your work. This lab may be one with which you have an established relationship or one of the official MEL-STaR labs.

From your Dean, Department Chair, or Division Director:

If admitted, a letter supporting your participation and confirming that you will commit 15% effort to the program and that the department will provide the financial support for 7.5% of that effort.

Application Timeline

• August 27: Call for Applications released
• Oct 15: Applications due
• Nov 15: 2026-2027 MEL-STaR Scholars announced
• Jan 1: Program begins

Apply here.

Questions may be directed to [email protected]