Nominations open for the 2025-2027 ASCI Postbaccalaureate Program

The ASCI is pleased to call for nominations for the 2025-2027 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 2026 and 2027 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meetings and are expected to co-author papers describing their research projects.

Nominations for the 2025-2027 ASCI Postbaccalaureate cycle are open and are expected to close in March 2025. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for additional details.

A successful ASCI Postbac applicant:

• Is a college graduate, either in their last year of undergraduate study or who has received a bachelor’s degree within two (2) years at the time of submission.
• Should be prepared to submit two letters of recommendation as well as a curriculum vitae (CV), undergraduate transcript, and 250-word personal essay.
• Will have plans to apply to medical school during their second year of the ASCI Postbac Program.

Program Details:

• Host laboratories will be solicited from the ASCI membership and the ASCI will match Postbacs to host labs through an internal selection process.
• 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 in the amount of $55,000 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.
• In collaboration with the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA), Postbacs will also be assigned a peer mentor who is a current medical student and can advise on the medical school application process (AMCAS), MCAT preparation, and related application tips.
• 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 track record.
• Postbacs will require a physician-scientist postdoctoral fellow to provide daily mentoring.
• The host institution must be able to offer career development programs and opportunities.

Contact:

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key dates?

• December 9, 2024: Online application opens
• March 2025: Application deadline
• April 2025: Virtual interviews
• May 2025: Postbacs announced
• July 2025: 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). 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 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-by-case basis by the ASCI and the Postbac mentor.

Is health insurance provided?

Yes. Health insurance will be provided by the host institution.

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 to which you are matched.

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 the program (July 1, 2025). 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.

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.

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.

Can I take courses during my Postbac?

This program does not have course requirements and does not provide a tuition benefit. Postbacs may supplement their training with coursework if approved by their mentor, provided it does not interfere with their full-time laboratory responsibilities.

If I am matched to a lab in another city, am I required to move?

It is possible that you will be matched to a lab located in a different city. We will do our best to match you to a preferred geographic region, but we cannot guarantee a match in a specific city. We would expect you to live within a reasonable commute to your matched institution.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

You should select references who can explain why you would be a valuable contrbuter 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 references 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 references 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.

Contact:

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