The majority of the graduates go on to careers in basic biomedical or clinical research. Mechanism of Support MSTP grants are made to universities and their medical schools, which are responsible for program operation and trainee selection. About 175 positions for new students are available nationwide each year. Selection for admission is highly competitive. For those selected, the program provides a maximum of 6 years of support, although an individual's course of study for the combined degree may take somewhat longer.
All institutions identify other sources of support for a trainee's additional years of study.
Many institutions supplement the basic stipend provided by the MSTP grant. Continued support for an individual student is subject to annual renewal based on the trainee's satisfactory performance in the program and the institution's successful competition for funds at the time of grant renewal every 3 to 5 years.