Scholarly Publication Program

The Scholarly Publication Program is designed for students who have completed our Research Poster Program and want to take their work to the next level. This program transforms your conference-ready poster into a manuscript fit for submission to respected academic journals. It’s a chance to deepen your research, sharpen your writing skills, and see your name on a paper alongside experienced mentors.

The FMC 5-Step Process

  • Step 1 – Build Your Foundation

    Conduct a narrative literature search, learn the structure of a literature review, and refine your research question until it’s ready for publication-level work.

  • Step 2 – Screen & Select Your Sources

    Begin screening papers online, evaluating studies that directly support your research question and will serve as the backbone of your manuscript.

  • Step 3 – Outline & Draft Your Paper

    Create a detailed outline, then move into writing your first draft. You’ll work closely with your Project Lead and Medical Student Mentor to apply scientific writing principles and structure your work effectively.

  • Step 4 – Review & Refine

    Work through multiple draft revisions, each strengthened by detailed feedback from your Project Lead and Medical Student Mentors to ensure your manuscript is ready for journal submission.

  • Step 5 – Submit for Publication

    Submit your manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal, learning how to follow submission guidelines and respond to reviewer feedback — with support from your mentors every step of the way.

Benefits of Our Program

Publishing research as an undergraduate or early-stage student is a rare and impressive accomplishment. Beyond the personal satisfaction of seeing your work in print, you’ll gain:

  • Showcase your ability to conduct and publish research, a rare achievement for students at this stage.

  • Gain recognition by having your work reviewed and published alongside experienced professionals.

  • Learn how to navigate journal submissions, respond to reviewer feedback, and meet professional publishing standards.

  • Stand out to medical schools, graduate programs, and employers with a peer-reviewed publication on your résumé.

How We Select Students for this Program

The Research Publication Track is open to students and groups who have completed our Research Poster Program and are ready to take their work further. When considering who moves forward, we look at how you approached your poster project — your effort, teamwork, and commitment throughout the process.

Consistent Commitment

Staying engaged in meetings, meeting deadlines, and showing steady progress from start to finish.

Collaboration & Communication

Working well with your team, sharing ideas, and maintaining clear communication with your Project Lead.

Quality of Work

Delivering a research poster that is well-researched, organized, and meets FMC’s professional standards.

Initiative & Engagement

Asking thoughtful questions, seeking feedback, and going beyond the basics to strengthen your project.

Communication

Being communicative with your team and Project Lead, voicing your ideas, and speaking up when problems arise or improvements can be made.

Professionalism

Approaching the project with responsibility, respect for your team and mentors, and the work ethic needed to produce high quality research.

FAQs

Do I need prior writing or publication experience?

No! We guide you through every stage of the process — from refining your research question to writing, editing, and submitting your paper to a peer-reviewed journal.

What’s the time commitment?

The program runs for about 6 months, with a weekly time commitment of 1–5 hours depending on how far along you are in the process. This does not include the time it takes for the journal to review your paper after submission, as that timeline is determined by the journal itself.

Can I join this program if I didn’t participate in the Research Poster Program?

No — the Scholarly Publication Program is only open to students who have completed our Research Poster Program. This ensures you have the foundational research experience and background knowledge needed to succeed in the publication process.

Who will I work with?

You’ll most likely work with the same group you created your poster with, but additional students may be added to your group. This is because this program is not a direct continuation of your poster — instead, you’ll develop a new research question inspired by your original poster topic and expand it into a full manuscript. You will also be assisted by Medical Student Mentors and Professors throughout.

Is publication guaranteed?

While we can’t guarantee acceptance (as peer-reviewed journals make the final decision), our mentorship and review process are designed to give you the strongest possible chance of publication.

What journals will we submit to?

The journals we target depend on your research topic, but we focus on reputable, peer-reviewed publications in medicine, healthcare, and related scientific fields. Your mentorship team will help select the most appropriate journal to maximize your chances of acceptance.