How to Apply

Applications expected to open Spring 2027

Eligibility

We support predoctoral students during the foundational stage of their training, soon after they have joined labs and initiated their thesis research. We invite applications from graduate students just completing Years 1 or 2 and from MD/PhD students just beginning Research Year 1 or 2 who are conducting research in genetics and/or genomics. NIH requires that T32-supported trainees be US Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Preparing your application

Before filling in the online application form, applicants should prepare the following documents as PDFs and request 3 letters of recommendation as required:

• Your curriculum vitae with a description of your education, awards, research experience, presentations, publications, and any other academic or STEM-oriented activities, including teaching, tutoring, outreach.

• A short description of your thesis research project. The proposal should address the following points:

  • what is the "big problem" you wish to address;

  • what is the context of your proposed work, the specific open question you want to focus on, and why is it important

  • what are the specific approaches you will take to address this question, formatted as a set of 2-3 Aims.

    You should emphasize connections of your project to the field of genetics. Also briefly indicate progress, if any, you have accomplished so far. Include strategic literature references.

    There is a limit of two pages, not including references or figures. Font must be 11pt Arial, single spaced, with 1 inch margins.

• Copies of your undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts. These can be informal; you do not need to obtain official copies.

• The committee's report from your 1st-year Capstone Exam, if available. (We realize that some graduate programs do not provide a written evaluation; if so, you can indicate this in your application.)

• Second-year students only: the committee's report from your Qualifying Exam, if available. (We realize that the timing of this requirement varies among departments and/or some departments do not provide a written evaluation; if so, you can indicate this in your application.)

You also will need to provide:

• Brief (~1 paragraph) answers to the following questions: (1) What do you specifically hope to gain from participation in the UGTP? (2) What are your current career goals and interests?

• Three letters of support. LORs should comment on your specific strengths as well as your potential to benefit from and contribute to a diverse community of genetics trainees.

  • One must be from your faculty advisor (lab PI). Your advisor's letter must describe the level of independence with which you developed your ideas and wrote your proposal.

  • The other letters should be from faculty members at the U who interacted with you as a graduate student and are familiar with your academic or research potential (e.g., thesis/qualifying/capstone committee members, rotation advisors, or course instructors would be appropriate choices).

Submitting your application

Form for submitting trainee’s application materials (not currently active)

• Fill in all required fields, including statements of career interests and reasons for applying to the UGTP. Applicants are strongly encouraged to peruse the form and contact Gillian Stanfield with any questions prior to the deadline.

• Individual application materials described above need to be saved in PDF format smaller than 10MB for upload.

• You should fill in the entire form and submit all application materials in one session. Please check that you have uploaded correct materials prior to hitting submit.

Form for submitting letters of recommendation (not currently active)

LORs should be submitted directly by the letter writers by the application deadline. The LOR form accepts PDF and Word formats.