About the Program

The Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) Training Program is a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Institutional Training Program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health.

The goal of the program is to provide trainees with research opportunities of a cross-disciplinary nature at the molecular and cellular level in the PhD-degree-granting programs of five participating departments:

• Biochemistry
• Genome Sciences
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

and two interdisciplinary programs:

• Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB)
• Neuroscience

The Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program currently has funding for up to 20 trainee positions. Students are appointed for up to 2 years of support, pending continued National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and satisfactory progress in their graduate studies. The minimum appointment is for 12 months of continuous support.

Students apply to the CMB TG beginning their 2^nd  year of graduate school for support starting Autumn quarter. The positions are awarded by a Selection Committee consisting of faculty representatives from participating graduate programs. Eligible students complete a written application and finalists are invited to give a short presentation of their research. The Selection Committee awards positions based on the student’s application, faculty evaluations and research presentation.

We welcome applications from under-represented minority students, first generation students, students from a disadvantaged background and students with disabilities.

Tuition

The Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program supports a stipend at the NIH-mandated rate in addition to tuition and health insurance as long as sufficient funds are available. Supplemental stipend is provided by a student’s home department. Other elective fees are the responsibility of the trainee and are not paid by the Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program.

Travel Awards

Requestforms for travel funds are available online. Travel funds are available each year on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis. Travel requests are reviewed and approved based on the application and availability of funds. Trainees are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review of the request and for prepayment of airline tickets and registration fees. The maximum allowed is $300 per year of appointment and must be used during the trainee’s appointment period.