National Institute of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program

The National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program is an accelerated, individualized doctoral training program for outstanding science students committed to biomedical research careers. The program is based on the British system, in which students perform doctoral research without required formal courses other than those students choose to take in relationship to their own interests. Students selected for admission to the program have already developed a passion for science through engagement in summer, job-related, or undergraduate research programs.

The program provides tuition and stipends support, based on NIH policy, for the duration of the program (approximately 4 years). The students will also have two mentors, one mentor at the NIH intramural campus in Maryland and another at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the U.K. 

Responsibilities

The student should be self-derived and self-driven and conduct research in both the NIH and UK laboratories. There is no formal coursework required, but the courses will be available if necessary.

Eligibility Requirements

The student must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident

Application Process

How to Apply for 2020 Consideration

Application Due Date, Fee, and Interview Dates

• Application portal will open on August 3, 2020! 
• To apply to the program see the link here: https://www2.training.nih.gov/transfer/gppapp
• There is no application fee for the GPP application. University partners may have an application fee.
• Interviews for the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program will be held in February 2020. You must attend all three days.
• The program will cover your transportation and lodging costs during interviews.

Applications Required for Admissions Consideration and University Choice

Only the NIH GPP application is required for admission consideration to the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program:

1. Create your account and select “Apply Now.”
2. Select GPP APPLICATION (LONG FORM)
3. Under Partnership Selection:
   1. NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program applicants select: University of Oxford (England)/University of Cambridge (England)/NIH
      • (For students planning to start PhD training in Fall 2021)
   2. MD/PhD Track 1 applicants select: Consortia of Universities - Intramural MD/PhD Partnership
      • (For students planning to start MD/PhD training in Fall 2021)

Application Components

CV/Resume:

• “Research Interests” briefly list:
  • Field(s) of research you are interested in (e.g. neuroscience, imaging, immunology, biostatistics)
•  “Research Experience” include:
  • Research project title and goal
  • Research internships
  • Independent undergraduate research
  • Major accomplishments and findings
  • Research techniques learned
• “Publications and Presentations” include:
  • Papers with author list and citation
  • Thesis, abstracts, meetings, etc.
• “Awards & Honors” include:
  • Undergraduate awards and recognitions
  • Dean’s list
  • Research fellowships
  • Community citations
• “Extracurricular Activities” include:
  • Leadership roles
  • Memberships in professional associations

Additional Information:

• GRE or MCAT scores are required
• List any scholarships (Marshall, Rhodes, Gates-Cambridge, NIH Cambridge Trust, Churchill, Fulbright, etc.) that you are in the process of applying for or have already submitted an application to.
• List potential mentors at the NIH and Oxford and/or Cambridge whose research you are interested in. You can search for NIH faculty members on the individual NIH institute web sites, which can be found through the NIH Intramural Research Program site.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Requests for letters of recommendation will be sent as soon as the contact information is entered for the individuals you indicate and the application is saved.
  • You do not need to submit your application in order for these requests to be sent.
• Letters are due by December 3, 2020.
• Letters must be written and dated within the last 12 months.
• Only letters uploaded to the online application site will be accepted.