Selection for admission is highly competitive. For those selected, the program provides a maximum of six 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 three to five years.
Trainees incur no payback obligation.
PhD degree programs which provide students the opportunity to earn both the MD and the PhD in areas pertinent to medicine. Although only 39 schools have Medical Scientist Training Programs that are supported by the NIH, other medical schools have similar programs. Since these options vary among schools, students should investigate the funding packages that are offered and the number of funded positions available for other MD-PhD programs. Individuals who wish to enter a particular MD-PhD program should contact the specific institution directly for curriculum information and admission requirements.