The Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the best neuroscience research facilities in Europe. NIH is the largest and best-equipped biomedical research facility in the world, with 20% of NIH’s faculty describing themselves as neuroscientists. Thus, NIH is also the largest neuroscience research facility in the world. These two prestigious institutions seek 1) to encourage research collaborations between the two institutions, and 2) to train future leaders in neuroscience research. For these reasons, the joint program offers unparalleled opportunities for training and research for a very select group of accomplished and goal-directed students who are expected to emerge as future leaders.
In addition to the information provided here, please see the link below to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Institutional Goals
The NIH-Karolinska Institutet joint PhD program had its first class of four U.S. and four Swedish students in 2002. American graduate students are co-mentored by an NIH faculty member and a Karolinska faculty member in a collaborative research project. Students have the advantage of two mentors with different perspectives, as well as special facilities and opportunities at each institution. Approximately half of the PhD dissertation research time is spent at each institution, with no more than 75% of time spent at either location.
American vs. European PhD Programs
European PhD programs, such as the Karolinska program, are highly focused on specific research training and dissertation research (80−90%) and assign less time to formal classroom training. At Karolinska, students choose a dissertation advisor upon entering their degree program and begin research immediately, while taking a few required courses. In U.S. PhD programs, students usually have one to two years of course work before beginning their dissertation research.
In Europe, specialization in science education begins at the undergraduate level. A BS/BA degree at the Karolinska does not reflect the broad liberal arts education required by U.S. colleges and universities. Instead, students take many more courses in their major or in areas that are directly related to their major. Thus, the European BA/BS degree is roughly equivalent to an MS degree in the U.S.
PhD Training at the Karolinska
After obtaining a BS/BA degree from a European university, students seeking a PhD degree at the Karolinska must identify a specific mentor, or advisor, who will accept a PhD dissertation student. A research plan must be prepared (10−20 pages) that provides an overview of the proposed research, as well as a list of proposed courses. The plan must be approved by the dissertation advisor and is then submitted to the graduate committee in the mentor’s department. If the plan is accepted, the individual is formally matriculated as a PhD student.
The joint NIH-Karolinska program tries to bridge U.S. and European PhD requirements in a flexible manner. A U.S. student should identify a mentor at NIH and a co-mentor at KI within two, but no more than six, months of starting the program (typically August 1). With the active involvement and concurrence of the two mentors, the student should prepare a summary (2−5 pages) of the future research plan. Again, this research summary should optimally be completed within 2, but no more than 6, months of starting the program.
To facilitate the identification of research mentors and provide focused time for writing the research proposal, students in the Karolinska program come to the NIH during August and September of their first year. During this time instruction is given on how to write a research proposal and time is dedicated to communicating with the NIH and Karolinska mentors, reading background papers on the project proposed, and planning a research strategy. Ample guidance is given to students by mentors and the Directors of the Program. It is highly recommended that the students work towards a goal of having the research proposal written and approved by the mentors by the end of September or at the minimum before leaving for Sweden in the fall of the first year.
The research plan should describe a series of experiments, some of which are to be performed at each institution. The two mentors must not only approve the plan but also have a strong commitment to participate actively in all aspects of the research, whether performed at NIH or KI. In summary, the research plan should describe a scope of work and educational training that not only fulfills the technical requirements of the PhD degree from KI but also have the enthusiastic support of all three participants: student, mentor and co-mentor.
Selection Criteria
Students who will benefit the most from this program will tend to be academically advanced, independent, highly motivated, appreciate cultural diversity and have a clear idea of their educational goals and the research they wish to pursue. We want to select only those students who are likely to prosper and benefit from this unique opportunity. To help in our selection process, and in your decision of whether to apply, we have identified three criteria that strongly predict success. Anyone who is accepted must meet at least two of the three criteria, but three are best. Applicants to the NIH-Karolinska program are asked to address the below three criteria in detail within the on-line application.
1) Academic Performance. Stellar academic performance is a strong predictor of success in this challenging program. Performance assessment focuses on grades, test scores (GRE or MCAT) and letters of recommendation.
2) Research Experience. Research experience, during or after an undergraduate program, can be extraordinarily valuable to the applicant who is deciding whether he/she is suited for a career in research, and can also provide useful training. In the Research Experience section of the application please describe research experiences you have had.
3) Specific Research Plan. All PhD students must ultimately have two thesis advisors (one at NIH and one at Karolinska) and a research plan. Early identification of an advisor and development of a research plan are strong indicators of motivation and ultimate success in the program. Some applicants will have identified both advisors and a specific research emphasis before interviews. An NIH advisor is typically identified before the Karolinska co-advisor; thus, every applicant is encouraged to contact potential NIH advisors by email, or phone, to begin the search for advisors before they interview at NIH (generally in February).
Within the application, please include the following information:
1) Additional Information: indicate which investigators have been contacted, and
2) Personal Statement: provide a general outline of the dissertation project.
Requirements for PhD Degree
The Karolinska Institutet will grant the PhD degree. By the end of the program, students must have completed 20 points of classroom work and have at least four papers (published or in press). One point is defined as one full week of class: approximately 9 AM–5 PM, Monday through Friday or 3 US graduate credits. Applicants should carefully review the Karolinska web sites that describe these general PhD requirements, as well as the graduate program in neuroscience:
http://edu.ki.se/research/index_en.html
http://www.neuro.ki.se/gtn/GTN.html
The Karolinska has a mandatory 5-point (or 5-week) session that is offered a few times per year. The content of this five-week session is a course and orientation on topics like biostatistics, laboratory safety, research ethics, etc.
The remaining 15 points are electives that the student may take at Karolinska or elsewhere (after approval by the graduate advisor of the student’s department). The NIH also offers many courses, and students are encouraged to take them and use them to fulfill the course requirements. Courses at NIH are available via FAES (Faculty for Advanced Education in the Sciences) – and many others organized just for NIH staff. Please see a listing available via FAES: http://www.faes.org
Language of Training and Thesis
All classes at the Karolinska are taught in English. Almost without exception, for the dissertation, the published papers will be in English. English is widely (and often excellently) spoken by Swedes; hence, there is no real language barrier in the program.
Summary
The joint PhD program at NIH and the Karolinska offers unparalleled opportunities for training and productive dissertation research in neuroscience. The program is designed so that students and mentors can create an individual study plan for each student that supports personal scientific growth and an international scientific experience.
Students wishing to be considered for admission into this partnership need to submit the GPP application by the specified deadline.
Additional Information:
University Home Page
University Department - Program Page
GPP Application - Information
Researchers Participating - NIH List
Partnership Directors
FAQs About This Program