The ASCI Postbaccalaureate (Postbac) Program aims to increase the number of physician-scientists entering the physician-science pipeline. Each year, two college graduates are selected for a two-year mentored research experience in an ASCI-member host laboratory. Postbacs attend and present at both AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meetings during their term, and are be expected to co-author papers on their research. By the end of the program, Postbacs are prepared with the experience, confidence, and research acumen necessary to become competitive MD or MD-PhD candidates.
Nominations for the 2027–2029 cycle are open.
A successful ASCI Postbac applicant:
- Is a college graduate who has received a bachelor’s degree within two (2) years at the time of submission or an expected graduate in the last year of undergraduate study.
- Provides a curriculum vitae (CV), undergraduate transcript, and 750-word personal essay.
- Plans to apply to medical school during their second year of the ASCI Postbac Program.
Program details:
- ASCI members nominate candidates they are willing to host during the program term, and submit a 250-word statement regarding nominee and a trainee table.
- If you are a qualified Postbac candidate interested in connecting with an ASCI Member to express your interest in this program, click here to view our searchable member directory.
- The ASCI will provide grants to host institutions for Postbac salaries and health benefits as well as a stipend for one MCAT preparatory course (AAMC MCAT Official Prep Complete Bundle or UWorld MCAT Prep) and MCAT exam fees.
- Postbacs will be paired with a current physician-scientist trainee (e.g., a PSTP trainee) in their principal investigator’s lab to receive daily mentoring and guidance while benefiting from early mentoring opportunities.
- Postbacs will attend the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting in both program years to present their research and network with peers, near peers, and AAP, ASCI, and APSA members. Invited events include:
- Early Career Award Welcome Reception,
- ASCI Dinner and New Member Induction Ceremony,
- Food & Science Evening, and
- ASCI/AAIM/BWF Research Pathway Directors Workshop.
- In collaboration with the ASCI, a faculty member at the host institution familiar with medical school admissions will provide one-on-one feedback on the applicant’s essays/personal statement.
- Both the ASCI and the host institution will provide opportunities for networking, enrichment, and career development activities.
Host laboratory criteria:
- The lab’s principal investigator must be an ASCI member with a proven mentorship record.
- The laboratory must ensure that a physician-scientist postdoctoral fellow is assigned to provide daily mentoring for the selected Posbac.
- The host institution must be able to offer career development programs and opportunities.
Contact:
We welcome you to review the frequently asked questions below. For further information or questions, contact us at programs@the-asci.org.
Frequently asked questions:
What are the key dates?
- August 31, 2026: Online Application Opens
- January 5, 2027: Final Application Deadline
- March 15-19, 2027: Finalist Virtual interviews
- March 22, 2027 Award Notification Date
- March 29, 2027: Award Acceptance Deadline
- July 1, 2027: Program Begins
Do I need to pay for this program?
No. Postbacs are provided with a yearly stipend based on the NIH Postbaccalaureate Stipend Table. Note — The mentor’s institution can choose to supplement the stipend with internal funding, for example, if they are located in a high-cost-of-living city.
How will the funds be transferred from the ASCI?
Funds will be transferred as a grant to the host institution. The total grant amount is $55,000 per year (direct and indirect), which includes a $50,000 stipend and a $5,000 Postbac allowance. Indirect costs are limited to 10%. Expenses associated with an MCAT preparation course and the test itself will be reimbursed to the candidate by the ASCI.
Is health insurance provided?
Yes, as part of the award agreement, health insurance will be provided by the Host Institution.
Is a two-year commitment required?
A two-year commitment is strongly preferred but not required. In rare cases, a Postbac can become competitive for MD or MD-PhD programs in their first year. These cases will be evaluated on a case-to-case basis by the ASCI and the Postbac mentor.
Can I take courses during my Postbac?
This program does not have course requirements and does not provide a tuition benefit. If the Postbac wishes to supplement their training with coursework, they will need to obtain permission from their mentor, and the coursework should not interfere with their full-time daily laboratory responsibilities.
Am I eligible to apply if I have limited laboratory research experience?
Yes. We recognize that some undergraduate schools have limited opportunities for students to engage in research. To be eligible for this program, applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in research and discuss why they are interested in biomedical research in their personal statement.
Can I apply if I am not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States?
Yes; however, you will need to meet eligibility requirements to be employed at the institution where you will conduct your Postbac Award research.
Do I need to have completed my undergraduate degree to be eligible?
You need to have completed your undergraduate degree prior to the start of each program cycle. Most applicants will apply during their final year of undergraduate training, but you are still eligible to apply if you received your undergraduate degree within two years of the start date of the program.
If my research mentor’s a lab is in another city, am I required to move?
If your Postbac Award mentor’s lab is located in a different city, we would expect you to live within a reasonable commute to your Postbac Program institution.
Am I eligible if my undergraduate degree was not in a science-related field?
Yes; however, you do need to have completed all undergraduate premedical required coursework. Although these courses can vary, this generally means that applicants will have completed one year of general biology, several upper-level biology classes, one year of inorganic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, at least one semester of biochemistry, one year of physics, and one year of college mathematics.
What is the letter of recommendation requirement?
Your ASCI research mentor provides a 250 word statement of support on your behalf. In addition, you are required to invite one other individual to supply a letter of recommendation. You should select a reference who can explain why you would be a good addition to a laboratory research group. This could be an undergraduate advisor or mentor, professor of a class that you took, or a prior supervisor for a summer internship. In general, you should ask your reference ahead of time both whether they are willing to write on your behalf and whether the letter will be positive. You may wish to provide your reference with some information on the program, your resume or CV, and a description of what you hope to accomplish during the program so that they can write a highly relevant letter.
How will applications be evaluated?
A committee of ASCI physician-scientist faculty will evaluate all written applications to determine finalists. The committee will conduct a virtual interview with each finalist.