The NIH Medical Scientist Partnership Program (MSPP) is a prestigious initiative designed to develop clinician-scientists by supporting predoctoral students enrolled in combined doctoral programs such as M.D./Ph.D., D.D.S./Ph.D., or D.V.M./Ph.D. The program is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with participation from several NIH Institutes including NIAID, NCI, NEI, NHLBI, NINDS, and others. The program emphasizes intensive research training within the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) and is part of a broader effort to cultivate future leaders in biomedical research.

The primary purpose of MSPP is to support students conducting their Ph.D. dissertation research in NIH laboratories while pursuing clinical degrees at accredited institutions. The program offers two tracks: Track 1 supports applicants who join the NIH after completing the first two years of their clinical degree and then return to complete their clinical training after finishing the Ph.D.; Track 2 supports students already enrolled in clinical programs who receive one year of support before joining the NIH for research, returning later to complete their clinical degree with two additional years of MSPP support. This structure is aimed at preparing scholars for careers that integrate clinical knowledge with biomedical research expertise.

Funding from MSPP includes stipends, tuition and fees, and an institutional allowance, with durations varying by track (four years for Track 1 and three years for Track 2). NIH funding policies, such as those outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, apply. Awardees are expected to meet NIH’s rigorous expectations around full-time engagement in research, ethical conduct, and program compliance. Indirect costs are not reimbursed separately but are included within the institutional allowance.

Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be enrolled in or accepted to eligible combined doctoral degree programs. They must demonstrate a strong academic background, commitment to biomedical research, and acceptance into the NIH IRP. The program targets public and private higher education institutions, including those serving underrepresented populations, and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. Applicants must complete several registrations including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov.

Applicants must submit a comprehensive application via Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST, which includes a biographical sketch, background statement, personal statement, research experience summary, and reference letters. Specific application instructions and formatting guidelines are provided in the FOA. Applications must conform strictly to these guidelines to be accepted and reviewed. Importantly, acceptance into the NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) and a lab within the IRP is required before final award activation.

The review process evaluates several criteria including the applicant’s background, research experience, personal motivation, and recommendation letters. Applications are scored based on potential to succeed in a clinician-scientist career. Applications are due annually on August 8, and the program does not allow clinical trials. The earliest start dates are projected for July of the following year after each due date, and awards are contingent on NIH appropriations and the merit of submitted applications.