biology phd stipend

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Ph.D. Program

• Financial Support

Annual Stipend

The School of Biological Sciences provides Ph.D. students with a financial support package which includes tuition, required fees, and monthly support.

Monthly support may take the form of employment-based support or stipend payment support, which is not contingent upon an employment arrangement.

International students receive the same level of support as domestic students.

Financial support for incoming students is detailed in admission letters and summarized in the table below:

1 During terms of employment, compensation will be governed by the collective bargaining agreement(s) which cover your employment title. Refer also to Student Academic Title Pay Rates .

2 Includes payment of health insurance.

The Program will pay only 1 year of non-resident tuition for US citizens who are non-California residents. It is the responsibility of the non-resident student to become an official resident of the State of California by the end of their first year in order to be exempt from out-of-state tuition in subsequent years.

International Students: Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition will be waived for international students once they have passed their Qualifying Examination and Advanced to Candidacy (usually at the end of their third year). The Program will pay the non-resident tuition for international students for three years or until they advance to candidacy, (whichever occurs first).

Fellowships

Students are expected to apply for extramural predoctoral fellowships such as those offered by the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation, etc., in addition to those administered by the University.

UC San Diego Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) Fellowship Information

Grant Writing Resources

UCSD's Office of Contract and Grants Administration (OCGA) offers tools to both faculty and graduate students to help in the grant writing process.

Professional Travel Opportunities

The School of Biological Sciences encourages students to travel to scientific meetings and considers such meetings an important educational experience. However, travel can be supported only when adequate funding is available. In general, the Division's travel policy is as follows:

• Second-year students receive $300, or $500 if they are presenting.
• Third-year students and beyond are eligible for travel support of $500.
• Any above amount that exceeds the maximum allowance is the student's and/or their advisor's responsibility. The annual allowance does not carry forward to the next academic year (July 1-June 30). In addition, the next year's allowance cannot be used to pay current year expenses. For details review the Fiscal Policies Section.

Biology Founding Faculty Award for Graduate Excellence in Research

Every year, a prize of $800-$1000 will be awarded to a Ph.D. student who is the first author of a paper or poster in the preceding academic year.

• Students will nominate themselves, not their P.I.(s).
• Students will send their submission by e-mail by May 1st.
• The winner will be announced by June 1st.
• A committee of Emeritus Biology faculty will judge the submission for the award. This committee will have members from all four of the sections of the Division.
• A ceremony presenting the award will be held in January at a luncheon at the Faculty Club.
• A framed photo of the winner will be on permanent display on a wall in Bonner Hall, just outside the seminar rooms.
• Publicity of the award and the winner will entail press releases and photographs.

For more information, please contact Graduate Student and Instructional Services, [email protected] .

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All graduate students receive:

• Full-tuition coverage
• Stipend to cover living expenses
• Individual Health Insurance – MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan .

Graduate fellowships and scholarships

We encourage applicants and current students to apply for independent funding from outside organizations.

Fellowships for U.S. citizens and permanent residents

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Dissertation Fellowships  – Open to women scholars
• Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship  – Open to first year graduate students (may apply before or during your first year)
• Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship  – Open to first and second year graduate students (may apply before or during your first year)
• Ford Foundation Fellowship Program
• Hertz Foundation Fellowships
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship  – Open to first and second year graduate students
• The National GEM Consortium Fellowship  – Open to minority graduate students
• Graduate Fellowships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Diversity (GFSD)
• National Science Foundation  – Numerous funding opportunities including the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• Office of Naval Research
• P.D. Soros Fellowship for New Americans   – Applicant’s birth parents must have both been born outside of the US as non-US citizens, and both parents must not have been eligible for US citizenship at the time of their births.

Fellowships for international students

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships  – Open to women scholars
• Kennedy Memorial Trust Scholarships  – Citizens from Great Britain are eligible to apply
• MIT Office of Graduate Education  – List of financial resources specifically for international students
• Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future  – Open to women from developing countries or emerging economies

Fellowships for U.S. citizens and international students

• Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• The Gilliam Fellowships – Application by invitation only
• Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust
• Link Foundation Energy Fellowships
• MIT Office of Graduate Education Fellowships  – See specific grant for eligibility
• National Institute of Health  – See specific grant for eligibility
• Petersons.com  – Web search for scholarship opportunities
• USA Today  – Web search for scholarship opportunities; note that some databases may require registration

Ph.D. Program in Biology

Our graduate program provides students of diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to intensely engage in research in the biological sciences and contribute to the broader scientific community.

Average time to degree: 5.3 years

Percentage of graduates in post-doctoral or permanent positions: 94%

Average publications after completion of program: 3.8 per person

Ph.D. Program

The Department of Biology introduces graduate students to diverse fields of biological science, and provides them with expert guidance to excel in research. The department is invested in training students to become excellent scientists, researchers, science communicators, and instructors. We are a diverse and global community, committed to expanding scientific career opportunities to all. Some of our graduates become academics, whereas others find careers in government, private industry, public policy, or elsewhere (see where recent graduates are now). The ability to communicate ideas and research results clearly and convincingly is key to success in any career.

Experience Biology at Georgetown University

Professors and current students share their perspectives on Georgetown’s cutting-edge biology graduate program.

Potential applicants are urged to identify and contact potential research mentors directly before applying. Please refer to the research page and the list of faculty interested in accepting students . Not all laboratories will have open positions available for a new graduate student in a given year.

Financial Assistance for PhD Students

    students who are accepted into the phd program in biology are guaranteed a minimum of five years of full funding. this funding includes:.

Stipend The stipend for PhD students in Biology is set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Georgetown University and the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees ( GAGE ). The current stipend rate is $36,934 for the year. The stipend is paid on a 12-month contract, typically in 26 biweekly paychecks.

Tuition Waiver The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) provides full tuition waivers for all PhD students for the duration of the PhD program.

Health Insurance Health insurance is required. The GSAS provides free student health insurance to all students. The insurance covers doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. Students may waive this benefit if they prefer a different plan through parents or a spouse.

Dental Insurance The GSAS provides free dental insurance to all students. The insurance covers routine dental care, such as cleanings and exams.

Yates Athletic Facility All students are eligible to use the Yates athletic facility for free. The facility has a gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes.

Parental Leave Graduate student workers are guaranteed six weeks of paid parental leave. This leave can be used to bond with a new child or to care for a sick child.

Medical Leave Graduate student workers are guaranteed six weeks of paid medical leave. This leave can be used to recover from a medical condition or to care for a sick family member.

To learn more about financial assistance for PhD students, please visit the Graduate Funding page. You can read more about what it means to do a PhD in a union-protected graduate program  here

Student Quotes

“Until you start your journey in grad school you might not know what you are missing out on. Other than the course work, grad school has been instrumental in  inculcating important life values and skills such as confidence, time management, survival, and holding personal and professional relationships in higher esteem. ”

“Studying at Georgetown has enabled me to be a lot more confident in my ability to ask questions and chart my own path in scientific research. My advisor and mentors here at Georgetown have been top quality in terms of both academic and personal support”

“Georgetown is a place with an environment conducive to learning and professional growth for prospective scientists working towards their graduate degrees and beyond. In this program, I found mentorship and training that foster the critical thinking required to answer the questions I am interested in. I found the multidisciplinary nature of the graduate student body to be engaging and supportive from the beginning of my journey.”

“The breadth of research that goes on in the Bio department really facilitates a broad understanding of biology from the life of single cells to the life of much larger organisms. It really is something unique that you don’t get at other more specific departments and has really helped me think outside of the box with my own work.”

Graduate Research Opportunities

Learn about the research programs that the department of Biology offers and find out which programs are recruiting graduate students.

Graduate Teaching Opportunities

Find out about the many opportunities that are offered to graduate students to develop teaching and mentoring skills.

Graduate Funding Opportunities

Learn about stipend funding and the additional funds from the GU Graduate School offered to help support graduate dissertation research or travel to meetings.

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School of Biological Sciences

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Ph.d. biology.

Our PhD program accepts students possessing Bachelors or Masters degrees who are planning a career in science. The purpose of our PhD program is to prepare highly qualified scientists who have excellent up-to-date training in the fields of biology or bioinformatics, who are actively involved in scientific research, are capable of making significant contributions to their scientific field, possess all the necessary skills for effective oral and written communication with colleagues, and can successfully compete in the job market for postdoctoral and research scientist level positions in academia and science-related industries.

We currently have approximately 100 PhD students in the Biology PhD program of the School of Biological Sciences. Of recent PhD graduates, 70% are currently employed as postdoctoral researchers in academia, 9% as government scientists , 9% as industry scientists , 4% as instructors , and 9% are enrolled in further professional training . The average number of journal publications is 3.9 per student and the average number of presentations at conferences around the world is 4.3 per student .

Areas of concentration:

• Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior   including population and evolutionary ecology; community ecology; aquatic chemical ecology; ecological genomics; sensory ecology; evolution of development, behavior, and sociality; biological oceanography; environmental microbiology; theoretical ecology.
• Molecular and Cell Biology   including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell biology; molecular physiology; molecular biophysics and structural biology; animal, plant, and microbial molecular genetics; human genomics; molecular evolution.

Quick Facts

• Stipend and tuition waiver offered.
• Fellowships available.
• Duration of program depends on research progress. Ph.D. candidates typically defend their thesis at the end of the 5th or during the 6th year.
• 18 credit hours of coursework.

General Inquiries

• Chung Kim Academic Program Coordinator Email  | 404.385.4240 | EBB 2009

Ph.D. Program Overview:

• Stipend: $33,500 per year
• Year 1 Focus:  Coursework / Lab Rotations / Teach
• Year 2 Focus:  Coursework / Thesis Research / Qualifying Exams
• Year 3 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 4 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 5 Focus:  Thesis Research, Writing and Defense

The PhD in Biology is a research-based degree involving deep immersion in a topic within biology with mentoring from an advisor and thesis committee with expertise in the field of study. Coursework is typically completed within the first 2 years (18 credit hours). Students who have previously earned an M.S. degree or taken graduate courses elsewhere can negotiate up to 9 transfer credit hours upon entering our program. Selection of a thesis advisor is made in discussion with our faculty and/or via lab rotations during the first year, and the composition of the thesis committee is established by the student by the end of the first year.

PhD students in the School of Biological Sciences are each supported by a stipend and do not pay tuition, only modest   fees   each semester. Stipend support comes from teaching or research assistantships which complement research training towards the PhD. Whether PhD stipends are earned from research or teaching assistantships after the first year is decided in consultation with a student's thesis advisor and the graduate committee. Our base PhD stipend is $33,500. Several fellowships are available which can supplement the PhD stipend.

Further Funding

Please take some time to review our   funding opportunities and fellowships .

Choosing between the Masters and Ph.D. Program

Our graduate program is primarily focused on the PhD which prepares students for careers in scientific research and employment in academia, industry, or government. We encourage potential applicants to the PhD program to directly contact individual   faculty   members whose research may appeal to them to discuss research interests and future opportunities. Students who are not yet sure of their interest in scientific research or are interested in other kinds of professional development should consider the M.S. degree in   Biology   or  Bioinformatics . Admission decisions are made by our graduate committee (composed of Biology faculty) in consultation with all of the faculty in the School of Biological Sciences.

Georgia Tech provides application fee waivers to advance diversity, recognize outstanding undergraduate achievement, and engage prospective students in recruitment events where Georgia Tech is affiliated. Such fee waivers are currently available only to domestic applicants.

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Biology related research centers.

• Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center
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• Center for Integrative Genomics
• Center for NanoMAD
• Center for Ribosomal Evolution and Adaptation
• Center for the Study of Systems Biology
• Integrated Cancer Research Center

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About the Program

Make an impact as an expert in your field with a PhD in Biology from Case Western Reserve University, one of the top research universities in the U.S. Our rigorous curriculum and research opportunities will prepare you to work at high-profile universities, in industry, at government agencies, or in renowned medical institutions, including Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals. No matter where your career takes you, our network of more than 110,000 alumni will have your back as you critically identify and analyze biological problems. Plus, with full tuition coverage, a competitive 12-month stipend through a research or teaching assistantship, and a medical plan, all you have to focus on is completing your program.

Student Resources

Whether you’re looking for information about education abroad opportunities, have questions about visas, or are interested in international opportunities on campus, these quicklinks will help you quickly navigate some of the key resources our website offers for students.

What to Expect

Here, you’ll join a group of students with diverse goals and research pursuits. Our faculty teach a wide variety of courses, but they specialize in neuromechanical systems, ecological consequences of environmental change, and cell and developmental biology. You’ll benefit from their expertise in classes such as ecophysiology of global change, functional genomics, and ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.

You’ll work closely with our supportive faculty to meet your research goals, and ultimately defend your dissertation.

The average time to graduation is six years, during which time you can publish your research as you make strides toward your career. For example, our faculty and PhD students publish their research in influential journals, including Science , Development , PLoS Biology , Ecology Letters , Proceedings of the Royal Society , and Current Biology .

Our biology faculty serve on editorial boards of more than 15 prestigious journals, including Cell Transplantation , Journal of Applied Ecology , Oxford Bibliographies , and others. 

Many of our PhD students conduct research at the Biology Research Station at the Squire Valleevue Farm which features over 400 acres of diverse natural habitat, a research greenhouse, experimental ponds, growth chambers, and modern lab and classroom spaces.

Request Information

Beyond the classroom.

Because of the abundance of incredible organizations in Cleveland, we created the BioScience Alliance . Researchers at CWRU, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Holden Arboretum make up this powerhouse group that conducts research and training programs in biology. Having organizations such as these right in your backyard—and taking advantage of the opportunities they offer—can lead to full-time employment after graduation, just as it has for many of our graduates.

We also have a new learning and research space for you to explore: Bio[box] . Here, you’ll have access to cutting-edge tools and, with the help of faculty and fellow students, you’ll produce groundbreaking research results.

By the Numbers

tuition coverage through teaching and research assistantships

university in the nation, U.S. News & World Report

for contributions to innovation, Nature Index Innovation

students in the program

years to complete, on average

Admission Requirements

Our program thrives when we have students with diverse perspectives and a range of educational, professional and life experiences. We look forward to learning more about you!

The application process requires:

• Online application , including a personal statement that identifies three potential faculty advisors who would be a good fit for you
• $50 application fee
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in one of the science disciplines (either already complete, or will be complete before you enroll)
• Unofficial transcripts
• Current resume/CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Test scores for GRE (optional)
• International applicants: Results of TOEFL or IELTS  

Quick Links

Ying-Bei Eldridge Student Services Specialist, Department of Biology College of Arts and Sciences Telephone 216.368.3556 Email [email protected]

PhD in Biology

The PhD program in Biology is a research-intensive program that also has a strong focus on teaching, designed to produce top scientists and educators with a broad base of knowledge to tackle the most important biological problems of today. This is accomplished through research training, graduate-level courses, seminars, and teaching experience. Entering students are assigned an advisory committee of three faculty members who work with the student to plan a suitable program based on the student's experience and interests.

PhD students in Biology receive full tuition support for six years, a competitive stipend, health coverage, and receive extensive training in pedagogy, outreach, and communication that prepares them for careers in academia, biotechnology, education, and policy. Students are required to serve as teaching assistants for at least two semesters. Most students complete the requirement for teaching experience in the first year by assisting in the introductory undergraduate biology courses for two semesters.

During the first year, students become familiar with research opportunities in the department by doing short research rotations with various faculty members. This experience in expected to lead to the selection of a research focus for the PhD thesis, and it also sets the stage for cross-disciplinary approaches to the thesis topic that is pursued.

First- and second-year students usually take some graduate courses that are selected in consultation with the advisory committee, in addition to one required course: either Biology 243: Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology; Biology 244: Topics in Evolutionary Ecology; or Biology 246: Topics in Physiology and Animal Behavior.

The department faculty are educators as well as researchers, and the graduate students benefit from this expertise. Graduate students serving as teaching assistants have the opportunity to take a course on teaching and pedagogy to improve their skills, or to become involved with upper level courses in their area of expertise. In addition, we offer a one-month summer program for PhD students interested in contributing to course design and honing their teaching skills via GIFT, the Graduate Institute For Teaching .

Research Concentrations

Browse the six concentration areas below for recommended programs of study and relevant courses:

• Biology Education Research
• Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
• Global Change Biology
• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Physiology, Neurobiology and Animal Behavior

Graduate credit for a course requires a grade of B- (B minus) or better. A list of biology department undergraduate and graduate courses can be found by selecting the Courses button from the top bar.

Throughout the year, graduate students benefit from a variety of seminars on current research that are presented by faculty, fellow graduate students, and invited speakers.

Ph.D. Program

The training for a Ph.D. in Biology is focused on helping students achieve their goals of being a successful research scientist and teacher, at the highest level. Students work closely with an established advisor and meet regularly with a committee of faculty members to facilitate their progress. The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger Biosciences community at Stanford, which includes doctorate programs in the basic science departments at Stanford Medical School. 

There are two tracks within the Biology Ph.D. program:

• Cell, Molecular and Organismal Biology
• Ecology and Evolution

(Previously a part of the Department of Biology Hopkins Marine Station is now a part of the Oceans Department within  Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability )

All  tracks are focused on excellence in research and teaching in their respective areas; where there are differences between the tracks, they are indicated in the links below. 

Requirements & Forms

Dissertation defense, cellular and molecular biology training program, stanford biology preview program (bpp): navigating the stanford biology phd application process, career development resources.

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 23 May 2022

PhD students face cash crisis with wages that don’t cover living costs

• Chris Woolston 0

Chris Woolston is a freelance writer in Billings, Montana.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Salaries for PhD students in the biological sciences fall well below the basic cost of living at almost every institution and department in the United States, according to data collected by two PhD students.

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Nature 605 , 775-777 (2022)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-01392-w

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Graduate School

Graduate student stipend information.

• Financing & Support
• Ph.D. Funding

The Graduate School offers incoming doctoral and MFA students financial packages intended to support excellence in graduate education and to enable students to devote themselves full time to their research and scholarship.

All recommendations for graduate student funding are made at the program level. Eligibility and awards are determined annually and are always conditional on students making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Students with questions or concerns regarding Brown funding — including eligibility, awards, or renewals — should discuss them with the program’s Director of Graduate Study.

Brown's funded degree programs are residential programs that require full-time dedication in order to reach the goals of superior scholarship envisioned for all students. The Graduate School recognizes that training opportunities outside of regular appointments can play an important role in preparing graduate students for their careers and, for supported graduate students in good standing, the Graduate Council is supportive of such additional, paid training opportunities, as long as they do not exceed 12 hours per week. Additional details can be found on the Activities Outside of Stipended Appointments webpage and in the  Graduate School Handbook .

Stipend Information

2023-2024 stipend amounts.

FY24 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

2024-2025 Stipend Amounts

FY25 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

2025-2026 Stipend Amounts

FY26 Doctoral Base Stipends (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)

Where to Find Stipend Information

Students receive an appointment letter through  Self Service Banner  (SSB) each term (fall, spring, and summer). You can find your appointment letters in  SSB  by logging in with your Brown username and password, then clicking on the 'Student' tab and selecting ‘Graduate Student Appointment Details’ at the bottom of the list. The appointment letter provides: 

• The appointment type and a general description of duties 
• The start and end dates of the appointment 
• The department in which the appointment is assigned 
• The total stipend amount for the term 
• Whether the appointment in the bargaining unit or not and union-related steps to take prior to the appointment starting

Calculating Monthly Amount

All stipended graduate students will receive their regular stipend payment at the end of each month (see the Student Employee FAQ section on the Controller’s Office  General Information/FAQ webpage ). Your Appointment Letter provides the total amount you will receive for that term and from that you can determine approximately how much you will receive at the end of each month (please note this is a pre-tax amount).

Fall and Spring Terms

The fall and spring funding periods are both 4.5 months in length. Fall runs September 1 - January 15 and spring runs January 16 - May 31 (these dates are detailed in your Appointment Letter). To determine how much you will receive each month, divide the stipend amount from your Appointment Letter by 4.5 months. 

Example:  Your Fall 2023 Appointment Letter shows a stipend amount of $16,421.63.  $16,421.63/ 4.5 months = $3,649.25 per month, pre-tax.

Summer Term

The summer term runs June 1 - August 31 and straddles two fiscal years. Students receiving a summer stipend will receive one month of stipend payment (June) at the rate of the fiscal year that is ending and two months of stipend payment (July and August) at the rate of the fiscal year that is starting. This means that the payment amount in June may be different from the amounts in July and August (though it will generally be the same as the amount from the previous July and August).

Example:  Your Summer 2024 Appointment Letter shows a stipend amount of $11,976.91. The 2023-2024 monthly stipend rate is $3,808.25 and you will receive that amount, pre tax, in June 2024 (the portion of the summer in the 2023-2024 fiscal year). The 2024-2025 monthly stipend rate is $4,084.33 and you will receive that amount, pre tax, in both July and August 2024 (the portion of the summer in the 2024-2025 fiscal year).

Effects of Appointment Type

A general overview and description of duties for student appointments can be found in the  Graduate School Handbook . Appointment types not only affect the type of work a student is performing during a term, but may also affect how the student’s stipend is taxed and will determine whether or not they are in the bargaining unit. For example, students appointed to fellowships do not generally have taxes taken out of their payments and are not in the bargaining unit, while students on assistantship appointments such as RA, TA, or Proctor, do have taxes withheld at the time of payment and are in the bargaining unit (and so must pay the GLO Membership Fee or the GLO Fair Share Fee). See the Tax Information and Graduate Student Union Information webpages for more information.

Steps Required to Receive Payments

All students must complete the I-9 process in order to receive payment from Brown. Students will be required to complete this process upon matriculating as well as anytime they return to active student status after taking a leave of absence. 

The I-9 process includes:

• Submitting the I-9 Form and completing all onboarding tasks in Workday (instructions can be found on the  I-9 Forms webpage ) 
• Visiting the HR Service Center, in person, (Page-Robinson Hall, Room 213) to present original, unexpired documentation for the I-9 Form. Please refer to the  List of Acceptable Documents  for guidance on the types of documents required. 

Sprintax Calculus

All international students are required to enter data pertaining to immigration and tax status in Sprintax Calculus each calendar year and if they extend their stay at Brown University. Students are also required to notify their department and [email protected] each time they leave the U.S. with their location and possible return date, and then again when they re-enter the country, regardless of the length of time they were away. Current information is required to ensure that correct taxes are applied. More information is available on the Controller’s Office Foreign National Payments and Taxation webpage. Note that the university previously used FNIS for this process, but has recently transitioned to Sprintax Calculus.

Effects of Student Location

A student’s location during the term (whether they are on campus or off campus in another state or country) plays a role in how the student’s payment is processed by Brown and may affect the taxes withheld. Students should let their program administrator know when they will be away from campus and international students should notify their department and [email protected] each time they leave the U.S. with their location and possible return date, and then again when they re-enter the country, regardless of the length of time they were away. To ensure that student payments are in compliance with all relevant tax laws, students may get questions about their current location and travel dates from their program administrator, the Graduate School, or the Controller’s Office. 

Receiving Stipend as Check or Direct Deposit

Information about how to sign up for direct deposit is found on the Controller’s Office  General Information/FAQ webpage . Note that students who sign up for direct deposit may still receive one more payment as a check if the direct deposit setup process is not fully completed prior to payments being disbursed. 

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Financial support includes:

• health insurance for you, spouse and dependents.

Students in good standing are fully supported until they finish their degrees. 

Students in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD program receive up to five years of financial support that includes tuition, a full stipend, and health and dental insurance. This financial support remains in place through the entire program as long as the student continues to make good progress toward the degree (including timely advancement to candidacy). 

The main types of financial assistance for graduate students are:

•   Fellowships
•  Research funding: Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA)
•  Teaching: Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI)

Appointments Compared

Differences among Graduate Research Assistant, and Graduate Instructor, Fellowship Support,

Fellowships

Fellowships provide valuable additional support for some students. Some types of fellowships:

MCDB First Year Fellowships : These fellowships are offered to students during their first year in the program (fall and winter terms only).

PIBS: Students admitted through the PIBS program are supported via a PIBS fellowship their first year.

Rackham Merit Fellowship :  offers a special funding package to promote the values of diversity and inclusion by encouraging the admission and funding of students who represent a broad array of life experiences and perspectives. Graduate students do not apply for this fellowship, but are nominated by faculty upon admission into the program. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for this award.

Research Funding

The availability of research funding varies between research groups. Some funding sources are given to very specific projects, while other research grants are much more flexible. Because of this and other factors, there is no strict rule for how much research funding students receive. Students are therefore encouraged to discuss funding expectations with prospective advisors. 

Other than direct payment funds of tuition, fees, and benefits, all income is subject to taxation and must be reported on federal and Michigan state tax forms, as well as any other forms according to your individual situation. This includes stipends, debit funds, and any other funding you receive from the University that isn’t considered a qualified scholarship.

Depending on the type of appointment you have, the university may or may not deduct taxes from your paycheck, but your stipend is always taxable . If taxes are not withheld from your paycheck, you still must pay taxes on that income. Note that while domestic students may not have taxes deducted, international students may. Learn about more quarterly estimated tax procedures . Please refer to Rackham Graduate School's Tax Information for Fellowship Recipients . [ https://rackham.umich.edu/rackham-life/finances/#tax-information]

Each student is required to serve as a Graduate Student Instructor (Teaching Assistant) for two terms prior to receipt of a Ph.D. degree. Typically, students serve as a GSI for one term in year 2 and then another term after the second year. Graduate student instructors who are teaching for the first time are required to take MCDB 801-Supervised Teaching. Students who are awarded internal or external fellowships delay their teaching until they come off their fellowship. 

Other Funding Opportunities

All graduate students in the department are highly encouraged to apply for other sources of support for which they are eligible. Graduate students should work closely with their faculty advisor to identify appropriate funding sources, and to prepare strong funding applications.

·        Rackham Funding Information

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Chair's office: 734-764-7427

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Salary and stipend rates

Mit strives to offer salaries and stipends that enable students to live and pursue their education in cambridge and the greater boston area..

The base salary rates (RA/TA/IG appointments) are established by the collective bargaining agreement (cba) between MIT and the MIT Graduate Student Union . These rates only serve as a guideline to base salary pay; what a department may offer when providing a funding package can vary. Departments have the freedom to set higher rates that are in line with their funding policies for MIT appointments and external fellowships.

Fellowships are funding awards that cover some or all of the costs of graduate tuition, a stipend to cover living expenses, and student health insurance. Some departments offer fellowships to incoming students, and these rates are set in alignment with appointment salary rates. Additionally, MIT offers  grants for graduate students with dependent children  and other sources of support . 

MIT doctoral programs typically provide 12-month appointments; details on funding are outlined in graduate student offer letters. For students in 12-month programs who have a 9-month funding appointment, it is very important that you check with your department or program about opportunities for summer support, since nine months of support is typically insufficient to cover living expenses in the area.

12-month base salary and stipend rates (2024-2025)

Salaries, stipends, payroll, and taxes

All students are paid via MITPay, with the first payment typically disbursed during the second week of the term. Please see payroll information for graduate students for more information.

The salary or stipend is only part of the financial picture for supporting graduate students. Depending on award or appointment type, there are different costs to MIT and/or external sponsors. In all cases, MIT pays a substantial fraction of the tuition for students with research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. MIT also subsidizes the graduate student housing system and the cost of health care.

Payments received from MIT may be subject to  withholding tax  in accordance with regulations governed by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. To learn more about how common payment types are defined by the IRS, and details about tax withholding and reporting, please visit the  Office of the Vice President for Finance (VPF) website .

The MIT International Students Office (ISO) and MIT VPF host a series of tax information workshops each spring for both U.S. and international students. More information can be found on the  workshops page .

Useful links: 

Office of Sponsored Programs – Graduate Research Assistant Tuition Subsidy Rates

Historic Stipend Levels

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Financial support

Ph.D. Programs

All students admitted to the Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior; Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology; and Microbiology graduate programs receive some form of stipend to cover living expenses during the academic year and during the summer (teaching assistantship, research assistantship, training grant support, fellowship) as well as fee remission support that covers all tuition expenses and virtually all fees. In addition, the university provides student health insurance.

• All applicants for admission are automatically considered for financial support.
• Support is guaranteed for 5 years.
• Because Bloomington is extremely affordable, students can live very comfortably on their stipend.

Biotechnology M.S. Program

The Biotechnology M.S. program does not offer stipends or tuition support to its students. You may find additional financial support for our M.S. program through Indiana University and other agencies.

Additional sources of graduate support

• Indiana University and department fellowships
• Individual grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and others
• Many advanced graduate students are supported as research assistants through a grant to the research lab in which they are working. Most laboratories are funded by 1-3 grants from NIH, NSF, and/or USDA.
• Associate instructorships (teaching assistantships) are available for eligible students in all Biology graduate programs and require no more (and often less) than 20 hours teaching-related duties per week. Associate instructorships provide an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself into a field and gain teaching experience, which are fundamental aspects of graduate training. One semester of teaching experience is required for completion of the Ph.D. degree.

Our department seeks a diverse student body and we encourage members of minority groups to apply. In addition to fellowship opportunities available in IU Biology, the university provides a number of fellowships for minority applicants .

The IU Grad Grants Center lists funding possibilities. Also, be sure to check out funding opportunities listed on the IU Research website .

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The Biology Graduate Program receives approximately 160 applications per admissions cycle (once a year).

A completed application consists of:

Online application form with biographical and academic information, personal statement and CV. 

Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work.

Three letters of recommendation.

TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students). Requirement can be waived for candidates who graduate with a Bachelor's degree from an  institution whose primary language is English.

Details on requirements and submission process can be found on the  Application Information  web page.

A strong background in biology and math is also recommended. In addition, it is strongly recommended that students have some research experience prior to applying to the program.

In our admissions process, the Committee reviews the student's entire profile, not just test scores.  Factors taken into consideration during the admissions process includes academic history, research experience, recommendations, test scores, goals, and how these goals can be met by the department.  Therefore, we do not have a cut-off score for admissions.   

For assistance on the TOEFL exam, including free practice tests, you can visit  www.examfocus.com .

Yes, it is recommended that you contact the  Biology faculty  members with whom you wish to work.  It is an opportunity to discuss your academic background and readiness for graduate work.   Their input is also helpful in the Admissions Committee review.   

In addition, please list your research interest and the faculty members with whom you would wish to work on your application. 

Yes, The Biology Graduate Program and the Biology Graduate Group has a strong presence of international students, staff and faculty from countries around the world.  The Biology Graduate Program does not put a quota on the acceptance of international students.   In addition, international students are funded through many of the same mechanisms as US citizens - Educational Fellowships, Research Fellowships, and Teaching Assistantships.

Though based in the Biology Department in the School of Arts and Sciences, the  Biology Graduate Group  is comprised of faculty from other departments and affiliated academic institutions, such as the Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Vet School, and Wistar Institute. Thus, the students have a wide range of research opportunities within the program.

Research is started early, after two semesters. Students can choose from a diverse array of topics, such as genetics, molecular biology, cell and developmental biology, immunology, neurobiology, behavior and ethnology, ecology, population biology and evolution.  

Our lists of  recent dissertations topics  and  research interests  of our current graduate students provide evidence of the variety and scope of the research projects undertaken by the students in the Biology Graduate Program.

Yes, the Biology Graduate Program will invite selected applicants in the continguous US to visit Penn sometime in mid-February. During this day, new students will meet with faculty and students to learn about Penn, the Biology program, and what it is like to be a student at Penn.

In addition, prospective applicants may contact the Graduate Coordinator or any faculty member with whom they wish to work about a visit to Penn. Every effort will be made to accommodate your request for a visit to the department and various labs in this department.

The Biology Graduate Program stresses a close interrelationship between students and faculty, a strong grounding in fundamentals, and an early emphasis on research.  Students undertake lab rotations in their first year to gain experience with different research approaches and acquaint themselves with different research environments.  Teaching experience is also included as part of graduate training to prepare students for an academic career.   Students also participate in departmental seminars, journal clubs, and the annual department retreat.

The Biology Graduate Program offers a doctoral degree only. Requirements for the PhD include:

• a minimum of 7 required courses, additional courses are sometimes recommended by the advising committee
• 3 lab rotations
• 1 year of teaching
• bioethics workshop
• successful evaluation of academic performance during second year
• successful completion of candidacy exam (end of second year)
• oral defense of dissertation
• written thesis

Detailed Information about these requirements can be found in the Student Handbook .

There are no language requirements.    

All Biology graduate students are fully supported either by educational fellowships, teaching assistantships, training grants, or research fellowships. Students earn a stipend ($40,500 for the 2023-2024 academic year), health insurance, and tuition benefits. Funding is guaranteed for the first five years as long as a student remains in good academic standing and research is progressing at a satisfactory pace. Students may apply for additional funding beyond five years if necessary.

Currently, the completion time to degree  averages 5.8 years.   

Housing, both on- and off-campus, is available for graduate students. On campus, the University offers a newly redesigned residential building, The Accolade . For information about on-campus living, please visit  Penn Residential Services for Graduate Students .

Because of its urban location, there is a vibrant community right next to campus with various types of rental properties (room, apartments, and homes). Most rentals are within walking distance to Penn as well as to supermarkets, shopping districts, and night life. For detailed information on housing offered in the neighborhoods surrounding the Penn campus, please visit  Off-Campus Services .  

The Biology Graduate Group has approximately 55-60 graduate students.  The Biology Graduate Group, though based in the Department of Biology, is comprised of faculty members not only from the Department of Biology, but also from other departments and schools in the University, including Psychology, Anthropology and faculty from the Medical School. In addition, there are also members of the Biology Graduate Group from other affiliated academic institutions such as the Wistar Institute and the Stroud Water Research Center.

Fully Funded PhD Programs in Biology

Last updated May 7, 2022

As part of the series on  How to Fully Fund Your PhD , here is a list of PhD programs in biology that offer full funding to their students. A Ph.D. in biology and related disciplines opens the door to a variety of interesting careers. You could work as a scientist, university professor, or serve as consultant, among many options.

“Full funding” is a financial aid package for students that includes full tuition remission and an annual stipend or salary for the duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Full funding is not universal, so it’s essential that you research the financial aid offerings of all the potential Ph.D. programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ): They guarantee 5 years of academic-year funding as a teaching or research assistant. This includes a stipend, insurance, and tuition support to cover the required 84 hours for the degree.

Boston University, Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Boston, MA): Students receive full tuition coverage, fees, health insurance options, and a $35,000 stipend per year.

Duke University (Durham, NC): The Graduate School expects that PhD students will be financially supported for the majority of the time they are registered and working toward their degree. Generally speaking, PhD students should receive payment of tuition, a stipend, and fee support for a minimum of five years, as well as health insurance for six years.

Harvard University, Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health (Boston, MA): All students admitted to the PhD in biological sciences in the public health program, including international students, are guaranteed full funding, which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance for five years, provided they maintain satisfactory progress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology  (Cambridge, MA): All graduate students receive full-tuition coverage, a stipend to cover living expenses, and Individual Health Insurance.

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science (Rochester, MN): Our PhD Program in biomedical science includes an annual graduate-level stipend, full tuition, and travel expenses to scientific meetings provided by mentors.

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA): As of Fall 2019, the normal level of support is $29,520/year; the stipend amount typically increases by about 3-5% each year. The University of Pittsburgh provides excellent health insurance options and tuition waivers.

University of Rochester, Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Rochester, NY): The Program is fully funded with a tuition fellowship, competitive stipend, and health insurance.

University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): PhD students receive full funding throughout their studies, including stipends, and health and dental benefits.

Van Andel Institute Graduate School, Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Grand Rapids, MI): Students in the doctoral program at the Graduate School are supported by institutional (internal) fellowships for five years. These fellowships include a stipend of approximately $35,000 per year and health, dental and vision insurance for the student (and family). The Graduate School also provides a laptop computer and up to $2,000 per year to attend scientific conferences.

Need some tips for the application process? See my article  How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors .

Also, sign up to discover and bookmark more than 1700 professional and academic fellowships in the  ProFellow database .

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Phd program.

Graduate students in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington receive a commitment from the entire department to support their education and research.  Our students make excellent use of the many opportunities available to them, as evidenced by the extraordinary number of fellowships and awards received, the successful publication of high impact papers, and their regular contributions at national and international meetings.  Our students receive additional training by participating in departmental governance, curriculum development, faculty recruitment and other activities. Together these factors combine to promote an unusual degree of professionalism and community spirit.

Member of the Team

By joining the Biology Department at the University of Washington, you will become a part of a world-class research institution.  Here, graduate students are treated as colleagues by a committed faculty who work to mentor students, to provide opportunities to develop research interests, to network both on and off campus, and to publish and present their own research.

You will find a collaborative environment at the University of Washington, with faculty engaging in research with the lab next door, researchers across campus, and teams halfway across the world.  Our graduate students are encouraged to collaborate similarly, seeking additional mentors and colleagues throughout the world who compliment their research interests.

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PhD Funding and Benefit Packages

Charles river campus.

Boston University’s PhD programs on the Charles River Campus subscribe to a full funding model. This system guarantees all PhD students in good standing five years of stipend support, 100% tuition scholarship, and a health insurance credit. This approach reflects BU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers across the humanities, social sciences, sciences, and engineering. Stipend level minimums vary by PhD program, but for the 2024-25 academic year, minimums will range from $27,318 for 8 months to $40,977 for 12 months. Students receive health insurance (the SHIP basic plan) through Aetna Student Health. Full tuition and student services fees are also covered for PhD students on the Charles River campus.

Medical Campus

PhD students in Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at Boston University’s School of Medicine and the School of Public Health (SPH) also enjoy a full-funding model. GMS and SPH PhD students receive a full tuition scholarship, are exempt from paying student fees, receive health insurance coverage as part of their support, and are entitled to an annual stipend. For more specific information, please visit the PhD funding sections of GMS and SPH .

PhD Stipend Extensions for Students Impacted by the COVID Pandemic

Boston University believes it is crucial to ensure that current PhD students who have had their progress impeded by the pandemic are able to complete their degrees. While individual PhD programs and the schools/colleges in which they are housed are the primary source of academic and financial support for PhD students, in rare circumstances, programs and schools/colleges may not have adequate resources to support all students whose progress has been hindered by the pandemic. For this reason, the Office of the Provost has established a fund to support PhD stipend extensions necessitated by this circumstance. Learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply .

Please note that this program will end after the 2023-2024 academic year, concluding in early spring 2024 for logistical and operational purposes.

PhD Funding by School/College

You can learn more about specific funding packages through the school or college to which you are applying or in which you are enrolled:

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• Biological Sciences MS

Biological Sciences Ph.D.

• Major:  Biological Sciences
• Degree:  Doctor of Philosophy
• School/College:  Arts and Sciences

Program Website

See the program curriculum and learn about admission. 

Ready to apply? Take note of any deadlines and documents required for this degree program.

Fall Application Deadline:   December 1, preferred;   January 1, final

Required Documents

• Official Transcripts (unofficial attached to application at time of submission)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• TOEFL/IETLS Score (if applicable, unofficial attached to application at time of submission)
• Personal Statement: 1 - 2 pages in length (clearly indicate the program area of interest and summarize the motivation to pursue graduate studies)
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume (to include: Education, General Research Interests, Publications, Computer Skills, Work Experience, Teaching Experience, Awards and Honors)

Applications Accepted for These Semesters...

• Fall Semester

Areas of Concentration 

• Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
• Plant Science

A Note from the Program

Admission is competitive, so it is important to contact professors that you might be interested in working with and ensure that they will be taking students.  At a minimum, prospective students are expected to meet all entry requirements of the Graduate School of the University of South Carolina and to have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree in a Biological Sciences related field with at least a 3.0 GPA.  Admission to the program does not require applicants to have taken the GRE.  Submission of GRE scores, however, is optional and required to be eligible for certain university stipend enhancements. Students whose native language is not English must submit language proficiency test scores. Please upload unofficial copies of all transcripts and test scores at time of application submission. Ensure that all documents are received and processed by deadline. Incomplete applications will not be viewed. Prospective students should apply to the program of their choice, but realize that the number of spaces available is limited.  

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Financial Assistance

Departmental Graduate Assistantships

Admitted full-time graduate students are offered a financial support package, which ordinarily lasts for three years for M.S. students and five years for Ph.D. students. Most graduate students are supported by a teaching assistantship for nine months.

Presently, the 9-month stipend for M.S. students is $14,500. For Ph.D. students, the 9-month stipend ranges from $18,750 to $20,750* for teaching assistantships.

In addition, biology graduate students receive full waivers of tuition.

Summer stipends are contingent upon grant support from the student’s major professor. Most students receive summer support, ranging from $5,000 – $6,000 each summer.

*Unique to our department, Ph.D. students receive a salary bonus of $1,000 per year after successfully completing their preliminary exams and an additional bonus of $1,000 per year after successfully defending their proposal. These salary supplements are provided for the first five years in the graduate program.

Fellowships are also available through the University for particularly promising Ph.D. students, with some of these targeted for minorities and women. 

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July 1, 2024

Congratulations and best wishes to Mike Uhler, who has been named Professor Emeritus of Biological Chemistry and Research Professor Emeritus, Michigan Neuroscience Institute. His retirement memoir, adopted by the Regents of the University of Michigan at their June 2024 meeting, is reprinted below.

Retirement Memoir of Michael D. Uhler, PhD

Michael D. Uhler, PhD, Professor of Biological Chemistry and Research Professor in the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, retired from active faculty status on June 30, 2024.

Professor Uhler received his BS degree from Seattle University in 1977 and his PhD degree in biochemistry from the University of Oregon in 1982. After postdoctoral studies at Stanford University and the University of Washington, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as assistant professor of biological chemistry and assistant research scientist in the Mental Health Research Institute (current Michigan Neuroscience Institute) in 1988. He was promoted to associate professor of biological chemistry and associate research scientist in the Mental Health Research Institute in 1993 and then to senior associate research scientist in the Mental Health Research Institute in 1997. Professor Uhler was promoted to professor of biological chemistry and research professor at the Michigan Neuroscience Institute in 2002.

Professor Uhler’s research interests have centered on the signaling mechanisms controlling gene expression in cells of the central nervous system, with a major focus on cyclic AMP-protein kinase A signaling. He developed pluripotent stem cells as a model for human neurological disorders and this research resulted in many multi-year research grants from the NIH and private foundations such as the March of Dimes and the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium. Dr. Uhler has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, chapters in books, and presentations at national and international meetings. He served on multiple NIH study sections and was a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Biological Chemistry for ten years. He received the Research Scientist Recognition Award in 1999. Professor Uhler has had a deep interest in teaching undergraduate, graduate, medical and dental students and received the EBS Teaching Award in 2013 and again in 2014 for these efforts. His interests in graduate education led him to become director of the Neuroscience Graduate Program from 1995–1998 and associate director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program from 2001–2003. Within his own laboratory, Professor Uhler mentored 39 undergraduate students, seven master’s students, ten PhD students and seven postdoctoral fellows. Professor Uhler gratefully acknowledges the support and encouragement of his fellow faculty, staff and students here at the University of Michigan during his career.

The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member by naming Michael D. Uhler, Professor Emeritus of Biological Chemistry and Research Professor Emeritus, Michigan Neuroscience Institute.

Research Professor

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