Southern New England Partnership In Stroke Research, Innovation and Treatment (SPIRIT) 2026-2027 NIH StrokeNet Fellowship Announcement

The SPIRIT Regional Coordinating Center of NIH StrokeNet seeks a 2026-2027 fellow within its four academic centers (Hartford Healthcare, Northwell Health, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Yale School of Medicine) or corresponding performance site, who will be funded $50,000 (salary and fringe inclusive) with 50% dedicated research time for one year while he or she learns methods for clinical research and completes a clinical research project. The intent of the training program is to prepare future stroke clinical researchers. Applicants must have an interest in clinical research and commit to participating fully in the StrokeNet Fellowship program.

The SPIRIT fellow will work with a faculty mentor and SPIRIT’s Education Core Director, Dr. Walter Kernan (Yale), based on a training plan. During the Fellowship year (7/1/26-6/30/27), the trainee must:

1. attend (or participate asynchronously) in all StrokeNet Grand Rounds, Professional Development Webinars, and Basic Science Journal Clubs;
2. participate in a Learning Community;
3. submit a project synopsis;
4. present their research in progress at a StrokeNet meeting or webinar;
5. spend at least 50% of their time on research and research training; and
6. complete program-related surveys during and after the program.

Candidates do not need to declare that they plan to seek further K funding or plan on a career that emphasizes research. However, they must be planning to stay in academia involved with stroke research throughout their career (e.g., enrolling patients into trials, writing). Eligible candidates include residents, fellows, postdoctoral associates, nurses, and junior faculty, within the SPIRIT institutions from any discipline (not just limited to vascular neurology). This could include neurosurgeons, epidemiologists, physical therapists, basic scientists, and any others that have a significant interest in a career in stroke research.

Application Requirements

1. A cover letter that explains your interest in the fellowship, qualifications for a career in research related to stroke, and your commitment to participating in the NIH StrokeNet training program.
2. A commitment letter from a proposed research mentor indicating that the mentor accepts this role, has assisted you in developing your proposal, and will commit to provide the necessary supervision over the duration of the fellowship. The letter should provide evidence of the mentor’s qualifications, including prior experience as a mentor, research accomplishments, and current research funding. The letter should detail how the mentor plans to oversee the fellow’s progress and provide assurance that he or she can spend adequate time on this activity.
3. A letter of recommendation from your current program director, fellowship director, or departmental chair (if different from the mentor). The letter must comment on your recent professional performance, qualifications for a career in research, and explanation of the program or department’s support for the applications. This letter must also indicate that you will have 50% of your time available to devote to fellowship activities. It must include a commitment from the chair to provide
funds to supplement the StrokeNet award so that the candidate has a total of 50% time for research.
4. A research proposal (1-2 pages, not including references): 1) title; 2) background; 3) research aims; 4) hypothesis(es); 5) methodology; 6) expected outcomes; 7) potential challenges and contingency plans; and 8) references.
5. A training plan.
6. An NIH Biosketch and separate curriculum vitae.

For instructions on preparing the proposal and training plan, contact Ruth Arnold at ruth.arnold@yale.edu.

Important Dates

Applications due: October 1, 2025
Successful applicant notified: December 1, 2025
Fellowship starts July 1, 2026

Program Overview

The Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center at Rhode Island Hospital is affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. We are Joint Commission certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and recognized by the American Heart/Stroke Association  as a Gold Plus/Target Stroke Center. We consist of a dedicated team of physicians, allied health professionals and support staff that provide primary and consultative care to patients with neurovascular disorders in a tertiary care setting. Our mission is to provide exceptional care to patients with vascular neurologic disease; participate in the education and development of residents, fellows, and medical students; to advance clinical research in the vascular neurosciences; and to promote dissemination of information about stroke in the community.

Our center offers a seamless array of acute preventive and tertiary care backed by excellence in research and education. The hospital is a non-profit organization and the largest employer in Rhode Island. There are 700 beds, 1800 physicians, 600 house officers, and over 150,000 emergency department visits annually.  Our stroke faculty consists of 7 vascular neurologists at Rhode Island Hospital and 2 neurohospitalists/vascular neurologists at The Miriam Hospital. 

Rhode Island Hospital has a 24/7 TIA unit in the emergency department, a 20-bed stroke unit,  an 18-bed closed neurocritical care unit, 24/7 neurointerventional care, and 5 neurointerventionalists.  We were the first hospital in the United States to have an MRI in the ED with an adjacent biplane angio suite dedicated to endovascular therapy in acute stroke. Over 1100 patients with ischemic stroke, over 250 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, and over 90 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated in 2024.

In 2024, over 210 patients received intravenous thrombolysis, with a median delivery time of 40 minutes, and over 320 mechanical thrombectomies were performed.

Research studies are performed for ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. We are a site for NIH StrokeNet and enroll patients in both industry and government-sponsored trials. The research team includes the research coordinator and 5 department-funded research assistants who help with enrollment in clinical trials.

In July 2024, the number of neurology residents increased from 6 to 7 with the PGY-2 class. Students from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University rotate on the stroke each month and are actively involved in the care of stroke patients. 

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of an ACGME-accredited neurology residency
• Current curriculum vitae
• Professional photo
• Personal statement
• Three letters of reference (one from the residency program director) should be uploaded to ERAS

We participate in the match by ERAS.  Our NRMP number is 1677188F0. View the match calendar. 

Accreditation Status

The program is accredited by the ACGME. Our program number is 1884318001. 

Length of training

1 year, July 1st-June 30th

Training schedule

• 24 weeks Vascular Neurology Inpatient service
• 6 weeks Consults at The Miriam Hospital (Primary Stroke Center)
• 4 weeks Neuro-ICU
• 2 weeks Neurosonology
• 2 weeks Neuroradiology / Neurointerventional Radiology
• 1 week Neurorehabilitation
• 1 week Telestroke
• 7 weeks Elective (6 track specific)
• 1 week of CME
• 4 weeks of Vacation
• 1 half-day of clinic per week (on most rotations)

Optional Tracks

As of 2020, fellows have the option to select a track to enhance and focus their training.  The four tracks are Endovascular, Neurohospitalist, Neurorehabilitation and Research.  Tracks will be distinguished within the vascular neurology fellowship by track specific electives, and completion of a designated track will be noted on your fellowship certificate.

On Call

While on the vascular neurology inpatient rotation, fellows will take 2 calls during the week and 1 weekend call.  There is no call while on other rotations. Call responsibilities include leading vascular ward rounds, supervising code strokes with residents directly or indirectly, and staffing consults and admissions to the stroke service.

Educational Conferences and sample vascular inpatient schedule

A description of all recurring conferences can be found on the About Our Program page.

How to Apply

Please contact Dr. Christoph Stretz (Fellowship Director) at christoph_stretz@brown.edu or call (401) 444-8806.