MSTP Internal Admissions
The MSTP Internal Application Information for Current Stanford Students
Deadline: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 by 5 pm (PST).
MD Applicants
Current medical students are invited to submit applications for positions in the MSTP to begin Autumn Quarter 2026-2027. The MSTP provides infrastructure and funding (for US Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for combined MD-PhD training in any area of biomedical or social science for which graduate training is available at Stanford. There are approximately 100 students in the MSTP, of which ~20% have joined the program after their first, second, or third year of medical school. Applicants are evaluated on their potential for a career in biomedical or social science investigation, based primarily on current and proposed research at Stanford in the research group of a prospective thesis advisor.
General guidelines
The internal program is intended for medical students who have engaged in an early and extensive research experience (usually as part of a scholarly concentration), and who have now decided to pursue a PhD as an extension of that work.
MD students interested in obtaining a PhD degree at Stanford are eligible to apply for MSTP funding in Winter quarter of their M2 year (or M2B if splitting the preclinical curriculum). Students may also pursue a PhD without MSTP funding by applying directly to a PhD program.
Successful MSTP applicants will usually begin MSTP funding Autumn quarter following acceptance based on available funding. Successful applicants must meet with Program Directors or MSTP Staff to determine the official start date of funding.
MSTP funding is contingent on approval by a Stanford University PhD Program in which the thesis advisor is a member and may only be used if participating in research full time in the research group in which they are proposing to complete their PhD (i.e., not rotations in new labs, board study, or clinical rotations).
Eligibility (MD Applicants)
Completed the first year of the stanford preclinical curriculum (M1).
In good standing at the Stanford School of Medicine.
Have a defined thesis project with a faculty mentor who has committed to serve as thesis advisor for the PhD training.
Students who are not Stanford medical students or who have matriculated at another institution’s PhD program are not eligible for MSTP funding.
Students later in their training (in a “gap year” or who have independently joined a PhD program) are eligible to apply for MSTP funding for their M3-M4 years beyond the standard M2/M2B application period. Such students should meet with the MSTP Administrative Directors as early as possible to discuss their specific situations.
Previous application to the MSTP (either before or after matriculating at Stanford) does not influence eligibility or evaluation.
PhD Applicants
PhD students interested in obtaining an MD degree at Stanford are eligible to apply for MSTP funding. Stanford PhD students must apply to the Stanford medical school MD program by Fall of their 3rd year of graduate training (G3); MD admissions are independent of MSTP. If accepted to the MD program, then they may apply to the MSTP during their M1/M2 year via the internal admissions process for support from the MSTP during the final phase of clinical training (8 quarters, M3/M4). Please contact MSTP Admissions at stanfordmstp@stanford.edu if you need more information.
Applicants are evaluated on their potential for a career in biomedical or social science investigation, based primarily on their current and proposed plan for their PhD thesis research. Evidence for substantial progress on their thesis research will be a key factor.
Eligibility (PhD Applicants)
Applicants must be in good standing within the student’s Stanford PhD Program and actively enrolled in graduate training at Stanford. Applicants must also have completed and passed their PhD qualifying exam. Students who are not Stanford PhD students or who have matriculated at another institution’s PhD program are not eligible for MSTP funding. PhD students who have completed or will complete their thesis in the 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible to apply.Although “internal” MSTP applications are commonly submitted during the M2 year (or M2B if splitting the pre-clerkship curriculum), students later in their training (for example, during their gap year(s) or later) are also encouraged to apply, and should meet with MSTP Directors as early as possible to discuss their plans.
Application materials (for both MD and PhD applicants)
| 1. Cover page | An application cover page with your name, student ID#, Stanford email, name of research advisor, and intended PhD Program/Department (and whether you have applied) |
| 2. Personal Statement |
A brief personal statement (no more than 250 words) that describes your background and rationale for pursuing training as a physician-scientist. What factors and considerations have led you to this point in your career and why? |
| 3. Letter of support from prospective thesis advisor |
A single letter of support from your prospective thesis advisor that should comment on your achievements and potential for a research-based career, and should be sent directly to Dennis Bua (dbua@stanford.edu) in the MSTP office (secure email is fine). |
| 4. Access to Stanford medical school application | Your application to the MSTP implies permission to review your original Stanford medical school application (AMCAS plus the Stanford supplementary application). Letters of recommendation submitted with your original medical school application are not required, nor available, for the internal MSTP application. |
| 5. Biosketch | NIH Biosketch format (non-fellowship) Instructions for Biographical Sketch SAMPLE: Non-fellowship biosketch (download)
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| 6. Dual Degree Authorization Form | Complete the Dual Degree Authorization Form. (The Dual Degree Authorization Form informs us that you have met with your MD Advising Dean about pursuing a dual degree and are in good academic standing.)
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| 7. Research proposal | Times New Roman font, size 12, 1-inch page margins, single-spaced |
Title/Abstract page |
200 word limit |
Specific Aims page |
1 page |
Research Statement |
This can be organized as follows: A) background and significance The 3 page limit does not include title and abstract, specific aims, figures, figure legends, tables, references, or the appendix.
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Figures and Tables |
Please do not insert into the research statement, no page limit |
References |
Please do not insert into the research statement, no page limit |
Appendix (optional) |
If you have published an abstract or a paper as part of your research proposal, you may include that in an appendix. |
Application Timing and Evaluation Process
Submit applications to Dennis Bua at dbua@stanford.edu. Applications are due January 20, 2026 by 5 pm (PST). Please provide items 1, 2, 5 and 7 as a single PDF document.
Applicants will give an oral presentation to the Internal Selection Committee (date is TBD). The length of the presentation will be 10 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions from the panel following. The purpose is to explore in an informal and interactive setting the work described in your proposal.
Evaluation is based on the written application, letter of support, and the presentation, and is carried out independently of evaluation of traditional MSTP applicants. Decisions will be available before PhD admissions offers are made. A summary of MSTP recommendations will be provided to the PhD graduate Program and (if applicable) to the Knight-Hennessy Program. If offered MSTP admission, student funding is based upon the standard MSTP student support structure that is determined by the applicant’s year of entry into the MD program.