Recognition of the importance of training veterinarians in scientific research and acknowledgment of the significant body of knowledge that veterinarians bring to research programs provide the impetus behind the Cornell Research Fellowship (DVM-GRA). 

This Fellowship reflects the College’s commitment to supporting veterinarians who aspire to pursue a PhD. It is available exclusively to individuals with a DVM (or equivalent) who wish to earn their PhD at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The BBS program will fund the first nine months of the Fellowship. After this period, the student’s Special Committee Chair will be responsible for providing the standard BBS base stipend (currently $45,240), as well as tuition and health insurance. Up to the 4.5-year mark of the student’s appointment, the BBS program will cover the stipend differential (top-off) to align the pay rate with the appropriate NIH Postdoctoral level.

Highlights of the Cornell Research Fellow include the following:

• Dynamic research environment bringing together basic, translational and clinical scientists
• Nationally and internationally-renowned faculty and diverse faculty collaborations
• Unique research programs, curricula, and special committees best suited to your interests, talents, and future goals
• Access to world-class research facilities
• Exploration of research opportunities during the first academic year via three laboratories
• Teaching experience as a teaching assistant for one semester (more training available)
• All Cornell Research Fellows are required to submit an individual research training proposal to an external sponsor
• Opportunities for professional development and networking
• Five-year funding package: full tuition scholarship, student health insurance, and living stipend
• Varied and numerous graduate student activities, resources, and support services
• Funding from a variety of resources, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, mentor research grants, and unrestricted dollars; additional support from institutional training grants from the National Institutes of Health

Application Information:

DVM seeking PhD applicants who are interested in applying must follow the application procedures specific to the Biomedical & Biological Sciences PhD Program.  The deadline to apply is December 1st annually. When submitting an application, please submit a current curriculum vitae and one copy of up to three of the most significant publications.