The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) are collaborating on Summer Student Fellowships to support research that will help solve, treat and end Parkinson’s disease. The collaboration expands opportunities for undergraduates and medical students to gain early exposure to careers in Parkinson’s by conducting 10-week research fellowships with established leaders in the field. The collaboration reflects PDF and APDA’s shared commitment to cultivating students’ early interest and leadership in Parkinson’s research.

Since 2002, PDF has funded nearly 200 summer student fellows, who have gone on to a variety of careers in medicine, health care and basic research. Similarly, APDA has funded more than 120 medical students through its Summer Research Fellowship program since 1984. The investments have not only enabled students to build their own research careers, but also have allowed students to contribute significantly to the Parkinson’s research of established scientists with whom they work.

PDF and APDA are investing $60,000 toward Summer Student Fellowships. The collaboration offers undergraduate and medical students $4,000 in funding for Parkinson’s research projects to be conducted over a 10-week period in the summer of 2016. It also expands the program by offering additional funding for qualified students to share their Parkinson’s research findings with the scientific community at relevant conferences.