If the specific goal is to study a situation in a different setting, such as a foreign culture, the application must demonstrate familiarity with the existing literature for this setting. In other words, the project must add new knowledge to the field, not just to the individual student. Supervision of the student is adequate and well-documented. The sponsor need not be a UCSF faculty member. The Committee advises all students considering off-site projects to discuss the qualifications of the proposed sponsor with Dr. Tureen before committing to the project.
Appropriate facilities are available.
The sponsor's letter must indicate that all of the facilities necessary to the project are available to the student. This includes any necessary laboratory facilities, office space, specimens, access to study populations, computers, and any other facilities needed to complete the project. The student must either demonstrate fluency in the primary language spoken at the site of the project or must have guaranteed access to translators. If translators are needed, the sponsor's letter must state that translators will be provided and that all necessary arrangements will be made prior to arrival of the student at the site. The scope of the project is appropriate to the time available and advance preparations are in progress.