Application

Application deadline

Typically May 1st and November 1st

Application opens April 1st and Oct 1st

Please note the deadline for the Fall 2024 application has been extended to November 15th!
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Applicant Requirements

1. Must be near graduation, a new PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or postdoctoral fellow with up to approximately 2 years of postgraduate training
2. Must be a U. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

*Candidates from groups that will broaden the demographics of the biomedical and/or behavioral sciences or those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Requirements

IRACDA fellows conduct research related to understanding life processes and laying the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Fellows seek to answer important scientific questions in fields such as cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, biophysics, pharmacology, physiology, biological chemistry, biomedical technology, bioinformatics, computational biology, selected aspects of the behavioral sciences, and specific cross-cutting clinical areas that affect multiple organ systems.

Applicants should begin to contact potential research mentors at UCSD as they apply to the IRACDA program. If you reach an agreement with a potential mentor before applying, a letter from the potential (or current) mentor describing the proposed work, the mentor's agreement to training you, and the mentor's training track record will be requested via the online application at the time of completion. Please note that a letter of support from a potential or current UCSD mentor counts towards your two letters of recommendation (see below). ​

Application components

1. Complete the online application
2. Upload the following documents to the application: ​​
   • Cover letter
   • Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement (2-page limit): The personal statement should include a description of your PhD training, interest in pursuing a career in academia, life experiences that motivate pursuit of higher education and statement of future career goals, and experience in expanding access and educational opportunities to underrepresented students.
3. Two letters of Recommendation. Letters are to be submitted directly by the referee to ofc-IRACDA-sd@ucsd.edu with subject line "Letter" followed by the applicant's last name. If you have already reached an agreement with a potential mentor at UCSD, one of your letters or should come from the mentor and should address the proposed research to be conducted, the mentor's commitment to training you, and the mentor's training track record.

For questions about application process, please email​ ofc-IRACDA-sd@ucsd.edu​.