Student working on a lab experiment

The IMSD graduate fellowship program at UC Santa Cruz offers support to qualified predoctoral students who have demonstrated interest in and shown promise for future achievement in biological and biomedical research or other related fields. Funded through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the purpose of the IMSD grad program is to encourage the development and increase the research competitiveness of underrepresented students at the graduate level, and to facilitate their progress toward a career in biomedical research and related fields.

Program Director

Amount & use
  • Students receive full fees and tuition for two years
  • Salary will be paid at the same level as other graduate students within the department
  • Funds for travel allowance to scientific meetings and funds for research supplies
  • Professional development
  • Community events
  • Holistic mentoring from STEM Diversity staff and faculty
Eligibility
  • Majoring in STEM
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Incoming or current graduate students enrolled full-time in the graduate program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (PBSE) Ph.D. program
Deadlines
We accept applications for the IMSD graduate fellowship program on a rolling basis.
Selection criteria
We are looking at our incoming students and based on their applications and interviews, solicit nominations from the departments for students to support. Applicants will be reviewed by a panel consisting of staff and faculty. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with staff and the IMSD faculty director. Candidates will be evaluated based on a holistic review of their applications, education/ career goals, aspirations, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

How to apply

Please contact programs director, Yulianna Ortega, at yuli@ucsc.edu if you are interested in applying for the IMSD graduate fellowship program.