Education & Training
Start your path to the PhD with MSK Bridge.
The MSK Bridge program aims to provide post-baccalaureate trainees from traditionally underrepresented (URM) groups with a strong foundation in science and research, as well as guided mentoring that will help them successfully transition into biomedical PhD programs. Successful applicants to the program — known as Bridge Scholars — will conduct a research project in one of MSK’s scientific laboratories for up to 24 months. The overarching goal of MSK Bridge is to increase the participation of URM scientists in biomedical fields.
Bridge Scholars will receive a stipend of $41,000 per year. Health benefits are included. Housing will be available through MSK. MSK Bridge is part of the Maximizing Excellence in Research Education and Training (MERIT) program and is supported by Dr. Charles and Susan Sawyers, Drs. Nai-Kong and Irene Cheung, the Center for Experimental Immuno-Oncology, and for those entering computational labs, the Computational Oncology Program.
Learn more about:
- Dec 1, 2021: Application portal opens. Apply now
- March 30, 2022: Application closes at 11:59 p.m. EST
- Offers will be made no later than April 28, 2022
- July 11, 2022: Program starts
As a Bridge Scholar, you will:
- be immersed in biomedical research in cutting-edge laboratories for up to 24 months
- receive intensive mentoring from PIs, graduate students, and postdocs
- receive individualized career guidance by the Office of Scientific Education and Training
- attend research seminars and departmental talks
- present your research at lab meetings and annual conferences
- participate in professional development workshops and skills building classes, as well as a segment of the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School cancer biology core courses
- give an oral presentation on your research project at the end of May during the MSK Bridge symposium
Participating Labs
Accepted candidates to MSK Bridge will be matched to a scientific lab at MSK through an interview process. This lab will be led by a principal investigator (PI) who has expressed a commitment to host and provide mentorship to Bridge Scholars to build a strong foundation in biomedical wet-lab and/or computational research. Information about the scientific focus of participating labs can be found by visiting their respective webpages below.