Nominations open for the 2026-2028 ASCI Postbaccalaureate Program

The ASCI is pleased to call for applications for the 2026-2028 ASCI Postbaccalaureate Program, a mentored research experience in an ASCI-member laboratory. By the end of the two-year term, postbacs will possess the experience, confidence, and research acumen necessary to become competitive MD or MD-PhD candidates entering the physician-science pipeline.

Postbacs will attend and present their research at the 2027 and 2028 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meetings and are expected to co-author papers describing their research projects.

Nominations for this cycle are open through March 31, 2026.

This program provides an intensive, two-year mentored laboratory research experience for students that will expose them to the physician-scientist career path, strengthen their applications to MD or MD-PhD programs, and enhance their career development. From the nominations, two finalists will be selected.

Nominees are undergraduates who are either in their last year of study or are college graduates who have received their bachelor’s degree within two years at the time of submission. Nominees should intend to apply to medical school during their second year of the Postbac Program.

Nominators are ASCI members in good standing who are able to provide a suitable environment for their nominees and who, by way of their nomination, are indicating their agreement to host the nominee if selected for this recognition. (This is different from previous cycles in which nominees would be matched with member labs via a separate solicitation for members interested in hosting a postbac.)

Nominations consist of the following:

• The nominator provides:
  • a 500-word statement focused on two aspects:
    • a description of the nominee’s strengths and suitability for this program, and
    • detail regarding the daily mentoring and career-development environment available to the nominee during the term of the program
  • a trainee table (PDF)
• The nominee provides:
  • a 750-word essay that describes the nominee’s research experience, current interests and career goals;
  • an undergraduate transcript (PDF);
  • a curriculum vitae (PDF);
  • headshot photograph (JPG etc.) (this file is not used in the review process);
  • two letters of recommendation (see more below); and
  • a completed ASCI demographics survey.

Letters of recommendation

Nominees will see a “Letters of recommendation” section where they can look up supporters and add them to the nomination if not found in our database. Supporters do not need to be affiliated with the ASCI in any way.

Once a supporter is selected, nominees notify the supporter by clicking “Notify supporter”; this will prompt supporters via email to access the portal through which they will complete two sections:

• a statement (500-word limit) detailing the nominee’s strengths and suitability to this program; and
• a brief statement regarding the supporter’s relationship to the nominee.

In this section, nominees will be able to see whether supporters’ forms are in progress or submitted. Nominees also receive an email notification when each supporter submits her/his form. Note that nominees won’t be able to submit their part of the nomination until supporters have been notified.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the main ASCI Postbaccalaureate Program page.

Contact:

For information or questions, contact us at programs@the-asci.org.