Funding

The Harvard/MIT combined M.D.-Ph.D. Program is one of 42 institutions with a competitive Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Grant from the National Institutes of Health. The Harvard/MIT MSTP Grant,  (T32 GM07753), first awarded in 1974, has received continuous support for over thirty years.  The grant offers funding for medical and graduate education to US citizens or resident aliens.  The MSTP Grant, together with institutional and endowment funds, currently supports over 100 MD-PhD highly selected students in various phases of training. Our program is committed to the enrollment of a diverse class of talented students, and welcomes applications from qualified students who are members of groups that have been historically underrepresented.

The basic sciences track of the Combined M.D.-Ph.D. Program accepts 10-12 students annually. Admission is highly competitive, and based on students’ potential to perform at an exceptional level both in medical school and during graduate study. Applicants accepted into the basic sciences track through the MSTP receive full tuition, medical insurance, and stipend support throughout their training, contingent on continued academic progress. Funded support for students accepted into the social sciences track is variable and depends on available fellowship support.  Students in both tracks are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships when they are eligible to do so.

Acceptance to the M.D.-Ph.D. Program in the basic sciences track does not require separate application to the Graduate School.  Following matriculation in medical school, MSTP funded students, in consultation with graduate program faculty, are asked to complete an abbreviated application to graduate school during the second year of medical school.

Individual students who matriculate at Harvard Medical School without MSTP support and subsequently enroll in a PhD program at Harvard or MIT are also welcomed into the joint program.  These students typically receive funding for their graduate studies through the graduate program only and are encouraged to apply for other funding and/or fellowships to cover tuition and stipend support during the last two years of medical school. These students are also eligible to apply for MSTP funding for their final two years of medical school.

Updated: March 10, 2008