NIH-Funded Research Training for Veterinarians

Veterinarian T32 PhD Training Program Trainees

This program helps address the shortage of veterinarians who are trained for independent research. It is funded by a T32 training grant from the NIH. It supports veterinarians during their research training as either Postdoctoral Scholars or as PhD Students at Stanford University.

Veterinarians and 4th year veterinary students can apply for postdoctoral research training without being enrolled in a PhD program. Postdoctoral scholars are registered at Stanford University as non-matriculated non-degree seeking students, which allows deferment of student loans. The NIH requires a commitment of at least 2 years full-time. Trainees may be eligible for NIH student loan repayment programs. Training can involve any area of biomedical research. Applicants must identify a research mentor. Veterinarians with or without a PhD are eligible. Appointment to the training grant includes a stipend of $65,568/year plus funds to support training related expenses, including travel to present research findings at scientific meetings.

Veterinarians and 4th year veterinary students of a U.S. accredited School of Veterinary Medicine may apply. Because this is funded by the National Institutes of Health, trainees must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. Send questions and the following information by e-mail to the Program Director (listed below) at any time.

1. Name, address, phone number, e-mail.
2. Institutions previously attended. For each: field of study, GPA, degree, degree date, attendance dates
3. References (at least three). For each: email address, phone number. It takes time to get responses, so please send contact information for your references early, before you complete the rest of your application.
4. Employment or professional activity. For each: employer, attendance dates, position/title
5. Stanford faculty of interest.  You must identify at least one potential mentor at Stanford.
6. Describe your most significant research project, if any.
7. Describe your training goals.
8. List any honors/awards, scientific presentations (poster or platform), publications.
9. Describe your career goals and how this training will help you achieve them.
10. Include a copy of your CV.

Send questions and applications to:

Paul Buckmaster, DVM, PhD, Program Director
Stanford University School of Medicine
Department of Comparative Medicine
psb@stanford.edu
(650) 498-4774

Trainees can participate in any graduate program involved in biomedical research at Stanford University: Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Informatics, Biophysics, Cancer Biology, Chemical and Systems Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Neurosciences, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, and Structural Biology.  For details, visit http://biosciences.stanford.edu.

All share common features:

• Year 1 focuses on a limited group of courses and laboratory rotations.
• Subsequent years focus on developing critical thinking via seminars and journal clubs and on independent research.
• Annual retreats to present and learn about ongoing research in the graduate program.
• Emphasis on mastering communications skills essential for success in science: oral presentation, writing manuscripts and grant proposals.
• Developing an appreciation of the role of scientists in the context of society with emphasis on ethical and professional responsibility.

The Department of Comparative Medicine serves as the “glue” that helps trainees maintain their professional identity as they immerse themselves in basic science research. This takes place in several ways:

1. The Department of Comparative Medicine exposes trainees to veterinary researcher role models and provides opportunities for trainees to present their research results.
2. The Department’s Residency Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine includes clinical conferences and special topic seminars, which trainees can attend.
3. Trainees can mentor summer veterinary student researchers who are supported by another training grant (http://med.stanford.edu/compmed/education/summer.html).

The program includes faculty members of the Department of Comparative Medicine and other departments within the School of Medicine. The Program’s faculty work together to provide trainees with guidance in basic research and comparative medicine. Trainees in this program get to know veterinarians in the Department of Comparative Medicine, which helps them maintain their ties to the profession while they intensively pursue research training. The research mentor provides research resources, expertise, networking and career opportunities within the trainee's chosen scientific field. Potential research mentors are not limited only to those listed.

Logistics

Who can apply: 4th year veterinary students and veterinarians.
Stipend: $65,568/year.
Tuition: Paid

Applying for PhD training

Veterinarians and 4th year veterinary students of a U.S. accredited School of Veterinary Medicine may apply. Because this is funded by the National Institutes of Health, trainees must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. Please contact the Program Director (listed below) for more information about this Program and to receive application instructions. Applications will be admitted through the Stanford University Biomedicine's Program, which has a November 30, 2021 deadline for an Autumn 2022 start date.

Send Questions and Receive Additional Application Instructions

Paul Buckmaster, DVM, PhD, Program Director
Stanford University School of Medicine
Department of Comparative Medicine
psb@stanford.edu
(650) 498-4774

Updated November 30, 2021