The Genetic Counseling Fellowship in ReSearch Training (GC-FIRST) Program
The University of Minnesota Genetic Counseling Program was recently awarded funding to initiate the Genetic Counseling Fellowship in ReSearch Training (GC-FIRST) Program. This two-year fellowship opportunity is designed to provide four genetic counselors the advanced training far beyond the four areas of basic research competency outlined by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) for masters (MS) degrees needed to become genetic counseling research leaders. This program is also intended to prime fellows to gain the skills to become crucial mentors for future genetic counseling researchers. The next cohort of two fellows will begin in January 2025. The percent time is negotiable between 40-60% time (approximately 16-24 hours/week).
As part of the GC-FIRST Program, fellows will complete structured coursework, twelve research training modules, and practical genetic counseling research experiences.
Research Training Modules
- History and Fundamentals of GC Research Module
- Genetic counseling process & outcomes research
- Quantitative Inquiry
- Qualitative Inquiry
- Systematic & Scoping Reviews
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics
- Creating Equitable Measures
- Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
- Dissemination & Implementation (D&I) Research
- Industry Research
- Public & Population Health
- Ethics Module
Structured Coursework
- GCD 8916 - Genetic Counseling Research Seminar (spring, remote)
- GCD 8171, Literature Analysis/Grant Proposal Writing Course (summer, in-person)
- ABUS 4571W - Introduction to Grant Writing for Health Care and Nonprofit Organizations (spring, remote)
Practical Genetic Counseling Research Experiences
- NSGC Practice Guideline Committee Research
- Participation in the National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Conference Meeting
- Participation on Undergraduate and/or MS Student Committees
The GC-FIRST fellowships are intended to support the promotion of rigorous genetic counseling research into practice. Participants should be committed to this goal and be prepared for an intensive two years of research training that is practical, evidence-based, and tailored to their unique interests and expertise. Participants should be passionate about integrating genetic counseling research into their current roles or have an identified type of research role that they are interested in pursuing post-fellowship training. Types of roles that we envision these participants holding in the future could be research directors of genetic counseling programs, clinical researchers interested in studying genetic counseling processes or outcomes, researchers interested in genetic counseling interventions, mentors or advisors of student research projects, and directors of research in industry, public health, or other settings. Participants may be employed at large academic institutions, genetic counseling and testing companies, healthcare institutions, insurance companies, or departments of health.
Educational Background & Characteristics
Genetic counselors applying for this grant must have completed a Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling from an Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Accredited Training Program and be certified or eligible for certification.