The movement of cells as well as organelles and molecules within cells is an essential feature of life. The partnership of the Intramural research laboratories of the National Institutes of Health and the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC) in the area of Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton creates the novel opportunity to receive training with two major groups of facility members with distinguished research records in understanding the basis of cellular and intracellular motility. An additional benefit of this program is the access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment available on both the NIH and UNC campuses.
Students in this joint NIH-UNC program take their course work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and receive their Ph.D. degree from UNC. Courses at UNC are available in broad areas of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and neurobiology. Students perform laboratory rotations with faculty on both campuses, and choose a mentor based on their laboratory rotations. Joint projects between NIH and UNC faculty are also featured, where students do their research under the co-direction of two mentors. Advanced students participate in journal clubs and seminars to enhance their knowledge of the field, and are supported to attend national and international meetings. The training program is open to students admitted to the Departments represented by any of the faculty members in the program.
The partnership between NIH and UNC-CH provides students with unique opportunities not available at a single institution. NIH is one of the world's premier biomedical research locations with 1250 investigators and 3200 postdoctoral fellows doing research in state-of-the-art facilities on cutting edge projects. UNC-CH is a University with a historical strength in motility research and is situated in the much-acclaimed Research Triangle Park. Graduate students in this joint program will enjoy two scientifically rich environments that lead the biomedical community and have trained over 100 Nobel Laureates.
Support for stipend, tuition and medical insurance is provided throughout the training period by a variety of mechanisms.
Students wishing to be considered for admission into this partnership need to submit the GPP application and the University application by the specified deadline.
Additional Information:
University Home Page
University Department / Program Page
University-NIH Partnership Description
University Application - Information
University Campus Map
GPP Application - Information
Researchers Participating - University List
Researchers Participating - NIH List
Partnership Directors