Predoctoral T32 Training Program

This program is provided by TRANSFORM.

Overview

The Irving Institute Predoctoral T32 Training Program provides advanced predoctoral trainees with structured, multidisciplinary training to prepare for careers in clinical and translational research. The program is supported by the National Institutes of Health through a National Research Service Award (NRSA) T32 mechanism and is embedded within Columbia University’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hub at the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.

The program is disease-agnostic and supports research that spans the clinical and translational spectrum, including (but not limited to):

• Precision approaches to disease risk assessment, prevention, and treatment
• Translational applications of genomics, digital health, and biomedical data science
• Individualized and population-based approaches to improving health outcomes
• Integration of clinical, environmental, and lifestyle data to inform care

Doctoral Student Program Description

The Predoctoral T32 Training Program provides up to two years of full-time (100% effort) research training, which runs concurrently with a trainee’s ongoing doctoral program. The program is designed to complement, not extend, time to degree.

Through mentored research, structured coursework, and career development programming, trainees gain skills and perspectives that extend beyond their primary academic discipline. Emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary mentorship, team science, the translation of research findings into meaningful health impact, and developing the competencies needed to be a successful translational scientist.

Appointments are made for one year at a time and may be renewed for a second year contingent upon satisfactory progress and continued eligibility.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident, consistent with NIH NRSA requirements
• Be enrolled in a PhD, MD/PhD, or DDS/PhD program (or equivalent) at Columbia University
• Have completed at least two years of doctoral training at the time of appointment
• Have a minimum of 12 calendar months remaining before the anticipated thesis submission date
• Be able to commit to a full-time (100% effort) training appointment
• Not hold a concurrent NIH or other U.S. Public Health Service training award

Training Requirements (Summary)

Predoctoral T32 trainees participate in a structured training program that includes:

• Patient-Oriented Research (POR) Career Development Colloquium
• Responsible Conduct of Research training
• Funding and grantsmanship coursework
• Monthly seminars and completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
• One required externship
• Attendance at the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Annual Meeting (once during the appointment period)
• Precision Medicine Updates Symposium and Scholars’ Day
• Columbia Precision Medicine Initiative (CPMI) Conference
• Additional elective courses aligned with clinical and translational research competencies

Mentorship

Each trainee is supported by a two-mentor team, consisting of a primary research mentor and a secondary mentor from a different discipline. Mentors work collaboratively to guide the trainee’s research and professional development. Both mentors are required to participate in mentorship training coordinated by the Office of Faculty Development and the Irving Institute and must provide a certificate of completion during the trainee’s first year of appointment.

Deadline and Start Date

Application Deadline: August 10, 2026 by 11:59PM EST

Start Date: Award start dates may vary and are subject to receipt of our 2026 NOA. Earliest possible start date is July 1, 2026 (retroactive).

Additional Program Information

Download the RFA  for additional program information and application requirements.

All awards are contingent upon receipt of the Notice of Award (NOA) and are subject to the final terms, conditions, budget, and funding levels specified therein. The Irving Institute reserves the right to modify, delay, or reduce the number of available awards if the final NOA differs from anticipated funding assumptions or imposes requirements that affect award implementation.

Cite It, Submit It, Share It!

If your research benefits from Irving Institute resources, please remember to:

• Cite the Irving Institute’s CTSA and NRSA T32 support in publications and presentations
• Submit publications to PubMed Central (PMC) in compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy
• Share your research updates with us by sending an email to: irving_institute@cumc.columbia.edu