Thank you for your interest in the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program! The NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program enables students to pursue a career as a physician-scientist while taking advantage of unique opportunities and resources at the NIH, including the NIH Clinical Research Center. Since the NIH is not a degree-granting institution, this program is a partnership between US medical schools for the MD phase of training and university doctoral programs through the NIH Graduate Partnerships Program for the PhD phase of training. Most scholars in the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program choose to participate in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program for the PhD phase of their training.
MD/PhD Training Pathways
Interested candidates may apply to the program through the three training pathways, or tracks shown in the diagram below. Please note that each track is different and based upon your current educational status. Interested candidates are responsible for submitting the application to the appropriate training pathway. Details for determining your correct track are provided in the sidebar to the right. Additional information about eligibility requirements and the application process is provided on the individual track pages.
Track 1 is for students who have completed the Bachelor’s or Master's degree(s) and are applying to medical schools and/or MSTPs. Upon acceptance, Track 1 Scholars begin their training by completing the first two (pre-clinical) years of medical education at the desired medical school/MSTP. Track 1 Scholars then join the NIH OxCam Program after MS2 to complete the PhD phase of training. Upon completion of the PhD degree requirements, the student returns to the home institution to complete the medical degree.
Track 2 is for students who are currently enrolled in medical school. Interested candidates typically apply at the start of the second year of medical school. Upon acceptance, Track 2 Scholars take a leave of absence from the home medical school to pursue doctoral training through the NIH OxCam Program. Upon completion of the PhD degree requirements, the student returns to the home institution to complete the clinical component of medical school.
Track 3 is for students who are currently enrolled in a NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) for PhD training and are interested in pursuing a medical degree. Track 3 applications are offered through an internal NIH system to current NIH GPP students only. Candidates interested in the Track 3 pathway are required to first apply and enroll in a NIH GPP for PhD training, then apply for Track 3 at the start of the last year of the PhD program. Please note that Track 3 slots and funding are limited. As a result, calls for Track 3 applications are not guaranteed.
