Students in the Biophysics graduate program receive up to five years of financial support that include fully paid tuition, fringe benefits, and 12 months of stipend for a specified period, provided that the student maintains good academic standing. This financial support remains in place through the entire program as long as the student continues to make good progress toward the degree (including timely advancement to candidacy). For more information, visit the Rackham Funding for the Ph.D. Degree site.
For students in their first year, funding is provided by a fellowship and teaching requirement. The four subsequent years are funded through a combination of external fellowships, teaching or research assistantships.
First-Year Funding
First-year students entering the Biophysics program can expect financial support for full coverage of stipend, tuition and healthcare during their first two terms (fall and winter, 8 months). This support will be provided by some mix of the following funding mechanisms:
- Biophysics First-Year Fellowships: These fellowships are supported by LSA and most directly admitted students receive them during their first year in the program (fall / winter only).
- First-Year Teaching Requirement (GSI): One semester of teaching is required by the Biophysics program. GSI training is required.
- Rackham Merit Fellowship Program (RMF): The Biophysics Program nominates a select number of incoming first-year graduate students for the Rackham Merit Fellowship Program. This program offers a special funding package roughly equivalent to between two and three years of support. Graduate students do not apply for this fellowship, but are nominated by faculty upon admission into the program.
- Other External Fellowship, such as NSF GRFP.
Funding Beyond the First Year
After the student’s first winter term, following the choice of a thesis advisor, support will be provided by some mix of the following funding mechanisms:
- Research Assistantship (GSRA), supported by an individual grant of their thesis advisor.
- Teaching Assistantship (GSI), in a relevant academic department.
- External Fellowship, such as the AHA Fellowship.
This funding is contingent on satisfactory academic performance and good standing in the program and progress towards the Ph.D. degree, including achievement of candidacy by the end of the first year.
List of Other Funding Opportunities
All graduate students in the program are highly encouraged to apply for other sources of support for which they are eligible, some of which are listed below. Graduate students should work closely with their faculty advisor(s) to identify appropriate funding sources, and to prepare strong funding applications.
