PhD Funding

As you are applying for admission to the PhD program, keep in mind that your application will also serve as your scholarship application. 

All of the materials that you submit with your online application are important for the scholarship review process - especially personal statements, academic records and letters of recommendation.

The following NIH-sponsored predoctoral training grant programs are available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are admitted to the Department's PhD program.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Provides predoctoral support to students interested in health care policy and health services research, specifically primary care policy.

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Provides pre- and post-doctoral support to scholars who are interested in person- and family-oriented health services and outcomes research that relates to aging populations.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

1. Provides pre-doctoral support to students interested in mental health and addiction policy. 

2. Provides pre- and post-doctoral support to students who will become leaders in mental health services and systems research, jointly administered by the Department of Mental Health.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Provides predoctoral support for students focusing on injury prevention. 

Injury and Violence Prevention Endowments

Endowed scholarships supporting doctoral study in injury and violence prevention. All are welcome to apply.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funding

Provides pre- and post-doctoral support for students interested in the intersections of gun violence prevention, equity, and policy. This funding is intended to support students from historically underrepresented groups.  All are welcome to apply.

Other Sources of Funding

In addition to the above institutional funding provided by these agencies, students may also apply for individual training support (you may not receive both awards.) The individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) may provide tuition and stipend support for up to three years for doctoral candidates planning to undertake research in certain areas. Typically, applications for NRSA awards are completed during the student's first year in the doctoral program.

Once a student begins work on a dissertation proposal, the Department strongly encourages the student to seek dissertation-support funding. Government agencies and private organizations provide funding for students once they are working on an approved thesis topic.

In addition to scholarships, other sources of funding include federal aid and grants from organizations outside of the Department and School. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on loans or federal aid. Browse multiple funding resources through Funding Opportunities.