Monday, September 14, 2026

Eligible Programs

  • Biomedical Science Umbrella Programs (7 subprograms; 6 awards total for the BSP)
    • Departmentally Based Graduate Programs (Biochemistry, Microbiology; 2 awards each)
    • Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs (Genetics, Human Toxicology, Immunology, Neuroscience; 2 awards each)

Selection Process

For the Biomedical Science Program, the Admissions Committee will consider all submitted materials in its assessment of each nominee's potential for success and will nominate candidates for the Pathway Award. For admissions applicants who are approved by the BSP Admissions Committee for a Pathway Award, the BSP will conduct a real-time interview and admit the individual before extending an offer for the Award. Language about the Award can then be incorporated into the Offer of Admission letter sent to the student. Sample language about the award is available from OGPS. 

For all other Programs (Departmental, IDGP), the selection process may be conducted at the discretion of the Program, using appropriate criteria.  Candidates selected for a Pathway Award should be interviewed in real time prior to a final decision about the Award.  Awards can be made until the maximum is reached (2 per Program).

Note that by national rule, students cannot be required to accept or decline the Award until April 15; however, students can be encouraged to inform the Program of their decision as soon as possible so that additional awards can be extended to other individuals in a timely manner.

Payment of Award

  • A $10,000 payment is paid in two installments.
    • $5,000 – Paid with an effective date of the first business day of October, following matriculation into the graduate program
    • $5,000 – Paid upon successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive (qualifying) examination
  • Disbursed through the University Billing Office. The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will process via MAUI’s Scholarship & Grants.
  • If there is a balance on the recipient’s Ubill, the award will be applied towards the Ubill and the balance will be refundable.
  • Funds are distributed by direct deposit only if the recipient has this set up with the Billing Office; otherwise, funds are distributed via check.
  • The University of Iowa cannot help a recipient of a Pathway Award for Graduate Biomedical Studies determine if their payments are taxable or not under the Internal Revenue Code.  If a recipient is unsure if their payments are taxable, they should consult with a professional income tax preparer.

Requirements for the Program

The graduate program must meet with Awardees at the end of each academic year and submit a brief memo to the OGPS confirming that an Awardee is making good academic progress.  If an Awardee has withdrawn from courses, received an incomplete in a course, or received a course grade of B- or lower, the graduate program must address proposed remedies.

Requirements for Awardees

  1. Continued support as a recipient of the Pathway to Excellence Award for Graduate Biomedical Studies requires remaining in good academic standing with strong evidence of academic progress and successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
  2. Starting with the second academic year and thereafter, it is strongly encouraged that Awardees present annually at the Jakobsen Graduate Conference.

 Questions

Please email the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at biomedgrad-postdoc@uiowa.edu.