Education and Training
Cincinnati Neurosurgery Gap Year Scholars Program

Supporting the Next Generation of Neurosurgeons

The Cincinnati Neurosurgery Gap Year Scholars Program is a year-long opportunity for two medical students who are committed to a career in neurosurgery and are seeking additional support and experience before applying for residency.

The program is specifically designed for students from DO and MD programs that do not have a home neurosurgery residency, and takes place between the OMS3/M3 and OMS4/M4 years.

Through a combination of research, clinical exposure, and mentorship, the program helps students strengthen their residency applications while gaining meaningful experience in academic neurosurgery.

Program Components

Research

Scholars will conduct research within the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Cincinnati Children’s and the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurosurgery. Projects may include basic science, clinical outcomes, database studies, or quality improvement, depending on the student’s interests and lab placement.

Clinical Involvement

Participants will be integrated into neurosurgical services, gaining exposure to patient care and the day-to-day practice of neurosurgery.

Academic Engagement

Scholars will attend and participate in Grand Rounds, Journal Club, and departmental conferences, contributing to and learning from the academic environment.

Mentorship and Career Development

Structured mentorship is a core part of the program, with regular check-ins to support progress, provide guidance, and prepare for the residency match process.

Research Presentation Opportunities

Scholars will have the opportunity to present their work at national neurosurgical meetings, with support for travel and registration.

This program was created to provide meaningful support to students who are passionate about neurosurgery but may not have access to the resources of a home program. This is more than a gap year—it’s a chance to grow, contribute, and step into the field with confidence.

Francesco Mangano, DO, FACS, FAAP, FACOS

Program Director, Cincinnati Neurosurgery Gap Year Scholars Program

Financial Support

Each participant receives $50,000 in funding, which may be used toward:

Medical school tuition (if enrolled during the program year)
Living expenses (housing, food, etc.)
Travel to scientific meetings

Research-related expenses are covered by the sponsoring lab or principal investigator.

Contact / Apply

Education and TrainingCincinnati Neurosurgery Gap Year Scholars Program