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Bridges to the Doctorate Program (R25)

The Bridges to the Doctorate Program provides support to institutions to help students make a critical transition in their development as scientists. The program is aimed at helping students make the transition from master's degree programs to Ph.D. programs. The purpose of the program is to increase the pool of master’s degree students who go on to research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and will be available to participate in NIH-funded research.

The Bridges to the Doctorate Program promotes institutional partnerships between institutions granting a terminal master’s degree and institutions that grant Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The partnership/consortium must involve at least two colleges or universities including the applicant institution. The Ph.D. degree-granting institution(s) in the consortium must be research institutions that have a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support and that award the doctoral degree in biomedical or behavioral science fields. The master’s degree-granting institutions in the consortium must offer a terminal master’s degree in biomedical or behavioral sciences as their highest degree.

Bridges to the Doctorate provides support for student, faculty and institutional development activities. Awards are made to domestic, private and public, educational institutions. State and local systems of higher education may also apply. The total project period may not exceed 5 years. The size of award will vary with the scope of the research education program proposed.

For additional information about these awards, see tTo For additional information about these awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, August 31, 2012 (PAR-12-276), or contact Dr. Michelle Hamlet at 301-594-3900.

Bridges to the Doctorate Supplemental Instructions for Noncompeting Progress Report

Bridges Sample Table Formats (New, Renewal and Noncompeting Continuation) Applications

Bridges to the Doctorate Participating Institutions

Bridges to the Future Answers to Frequently Asked Questions


This page last reviewed on October 26, 2012