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Grants and Fellowships

The Genetics training grant

The Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology has been supported by a T32 training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health since 1973.  There are currently 7 slots per year.  These slots are awarded competitively.  Calls for applications go out in May and selections are made in June for August 1 – July 31 appointments.

External grants and fellowships

Other sources of grants and fellowships for students include:

  • National Institutes of Health NRSA Predoctoral Fellowships (e.g. F31)

NIH institutes offer multiple types of predoctoral F31 fellowships. Note that funding rates vary dramatically between different institutes. These fellowships are open only to US citizens and permanent residents. There are currently three submission cycles per year: April 8, August 8, and December 8 (with extension for dates that fall on a weekend or holiday).

If you are applying for an F31, contact Dan McKay at least a month before submission for

1) RCR information. I have a document that describes both initial and refresher information on responsible conduct of research training.

2) GMB description. You are required to include a document titled Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training (details), describing the training program. I have such a document and will customize it for your application.

  • American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowships

AHA predoctoral fellowships are open to US citizens, permanent residents, and students on a visa (i.e., international students may apply). There is one deadline per year, usually in mid-January. UNC is served by the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate.

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program accepts applications once per year, typically in early November. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible. Applicants may not have completed the fall semester of the second year of graduate study when they apply. This means that 1st and 2nd year students can apply, but only if they do not have a prior graduate degree.

BBSP holds a NSF fellowship workshop each fall.

  • HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program

     The Gilliam Fellows Program aspires to build a more inclusive scientific ecosystem by supporting scientists at two levels — graduate students and their faculty thesis advisers. This program accepts applications once per year, typically in October.