Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Predoctoral Scholars: 

This award is open to Predoctoral students pursuing a PhD, PharmD (or dual degree with a PhD, e.g. MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, etc.) at the University of Minnesota who have passed their written and oral preliminary examinations before July 1, 2026* and do not anticipate completing their PhD more than a few months before the end of the funding period (July 1, 2028). 

*In order to notify persons who are awarded TRDP funding in a timely fashion for a July 1, 2026 start date, we will expect candidates to complete their preliminary exams no later than May 15, 2026.

Postdoctoral Scholars:
Postdocs from the UMN and UMN partner organizations (Hennepin Health Care Research Institute, Minneapolis VA Health Care System) are eligible and encouraged to apply.  

In order to notify persons who are awarded TRDP funding in a timely fashion for a July 1, 2026 start date, we will expect candidates' PhD degrees to be conferred no later than May 15, 2026.

All applicants:

• All PhD students, postdocs and medical fellows who meet eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.

• MD or MD/PhD medical fellow applicants or postdoctoral applicants must be no more than 3 years into their appointment as a fellow or postdoc at the time of application. Students with clinical rotations that fall within the award period are not eligible to apply.

• Must be able to engage in research or educational activities related to the applicant’s research during the period of the TRDP award.

• For questions, contact CTSI-Ed Staff at ctsieduc@umn.edu

Mentors:
See the Mentors page for mentor eligibility information.