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Get information on the PhD Training Program in Musculoskeletal Biology at IU School of Medicine, including application requirements.

PhD Training Program in Musculoskeletal Biology

Participants in this program are expected to conduct a portion of the research work in the associate mentor’s laboratory to gain broad exposure to other techniques/approaches and also attend lab meetings in the associate mentor’s lab (in addition to the PI’s lab) for a period of time. This ensures quality work/scrutiny in the associate mentor’s lab and exposes trainees to different (and additional) data discussions and trouble shooting. Trainess must take G819 “Basic Bone Biology” and G505 “Responsible Conduct of Research” courses as part of the degree requirements and attend at least one grant writing workshop that is held annually on campus. Participants must also write an annual report for the Executive Committee to evaluate progress and performance.

As part of this program, PhD trainees are encouraged to write and submit an F31 award, attend weekly bone journal club (and present an article once per year), and attend monthly Bone and Mineral Club lecture series (and present research at least once during training period). They are also encouraged to attend one professional meeting per year.

After finishing the training program, trainees are expected to submit a post-program assessment to the executive committee to help identify weakness in, and provide suggested improvements for, the training program.

Participant Support

The T32 mechanism provides support for PhD students in this program, including tuition and fees. A stipend is assigned individually to trainees based on the current graduate student stipend amounts. Health insurance as well as up to $1000 per year is provided to cover travel costs to a professional/scientific meeting or to visit an external lab for additional training.

Application Requirements and Process

Applications for T32 support of predoctoral trainees are accepted on a rolling deadline and can be submitted at any time of year. Decisions regarding trainee sponsorship are made by quarterly the T32 Selection Committee. To apply, explore submission instructions and complete the application form.

Per DHHS/NIH guidelines, by the time T32-sponsored training begins, the participant must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551 or other legal verification of such status). PhD students are eligible to apply after successful completion of their first year in an IU/IUPUI PhD program and be in good academic standing. Support for T32-sponsored PhD predoctoral trainees is limited to three years.

PhD students from any of the following PhD programs are eligible for T32 predoctoral support:

  • IU School of Medicine’s IBMG Program
  • IUPUI School of Engineering’s Biomedical Engineering PhD Program
  • IUPUI School of Science’s Department of Biology PhD Program
  • IU School of Dentistry’s PhD Program