National Track Overview

The National Track provides tuition and stipend support to MD-PhD students who will receive an MD from any medical school in the United States and a PhD from a graduate program at the University of Chicago.

Students interested in applying to the National Track may pursue a PhD in any of the social science or humanities programs across campus. Applications from candidates pursuing a doctoral degree in the quantitative social sciences and/or demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the study of aging or Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias are strongly encouraged. Learn more  about the disciplines in the social sciences, humanities or related professional schools that are eligible for the National Track:

• Social Science Division
• Humanities Division 
• Booth School of Business
• Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
• Harris School of Public Policy Studies
• Public Health Sciences (in the Biological Sciences Division)

Prospective students should apply to the National Track before their first, second, or third year of medical school. Students must apply separately and gain admissions to both the National Track, administered through the Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS), and any PhD programs of interest. Accepted students will work with their medical school, PhD program, and National Track faculty to develop a personalized training timeline that supports their success in both their doctoral and medical training.

National Track students will receive ongoing support and advisement as they progress through both medical school and their respective PhD programs.

Funding and Eligibility

National Track students receive tuition and stipend support for their graduate training at UChicago through their PhD program. Depending on the student’s PhD program and research areas, National Track students may also be eligible for funding through a CHeSS training grant as a part of their PhD training. The National Track does not provide any tuition assistance or financial support for medical school.

To be eligible for funding through a CHeSS training grant, rospective students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

Application Instructions and Timeline

National Track candidates apply to the program by submitting their application to one or more PhD program(s) of interest by the deadline listed on each PhD program’s website. Upon submitting their PhD application, National Track applicants should notify Absera Melaku that by email at amelaku@bsd.uchicago.edu.