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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Graduate Degrees

Indianapolis PhD Programs

IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis offers the Indiana BioMedical Gateway Program (IBMG) for PhD study that provides an opportunity for students to explore many research areas, eight PhD programs, and a variety of minors to supplement targeted areas of study. 

A first-year IBMG program student takes a shared curriculum with core first semester components, core required courses in the second and third semester, and many options to focus their studies in the second semester. During this time, the program provides advising and mentoring support for all first year students.

PhD Specialty Programs

Following the first year of training, PhD students enter the specialty area of their training. These eight programs all admit students through the IBMG admissions process, with the exception of the Anatomy Education Track PhD program.

Begin Graduate Study

Prospective PhD students can apply to the Indiana BioMedical Gateway (IBMG) program for PhD Study at IU School of Medicine. This program is held in Indianapolis.
Three research students observe a model human brain.

Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology 

A multicolored microscopic cell.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

A female student works in a research lab.

Medical and Molecular Genetics

A male student analyzes brain images on a computer.

Medical Neuroscience

A gloved hand pipetting liquid into a test tube.

Microbiology and Immunology

A hanging human skeletal model in the foreground, 5 students talk in the background.

Musculoskeletal Health Sciences 

A male student pipetting liquid into a test tube.

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Test tube being pipetted with out of focus background.

Translational Cancer Biology 

Financial Aid

PhD students eligible to work in the United States receive a research fellowship, which includes an annual stipend ($36,000 for the 2025-26 academic year) without a TA requirement. Additionally, the research fellowship covers tuition and mandatory fees and provides health and dental insurance coverage. This aid continues throughout the doctoral education as long as the student maintains a GPA at or above 3.0 and makes adequate academic progress toward the degree.

Advisory Committee

By the time PhD students reach the fall semester of the second year, they select an advisory committee. The major advisor serves as the head of the committee. Together students and the major advisors select at least two to three associate advisors from the major department and a representative from the minor department. The graduate school reviews and approves the members of each student’s advisory committee, following submission of the Appointment of Advisory Committee form. The Advisory Committee counsels students in coursework and research activities, identifies any academic or research deficiencies, and suggests corrective measures for potential deficiencies. The advisory committee also makes recommendations for transfer of academic credits earned at another institution to the graduate school for approval and determines when students have satisfactorily completed the qualifying examination.

Research Committee

Research committees initiate research for student dissertations. They are approved by the dean and are required to meet at least twice a year. The committee has the responsibility of supervising the research, reading the dissertation and conducting the final examination.

The student chooses a professor who agrees to direct the dissertation, endorsed by the University Graduate School. In some instances, it might be important to include individuals from other departments or disciplines (i.e., a relevant MD) on the student’s committee. Committee members must also be members of the graduate faculty who are best qualified to assist the student in conducting the dissertation research. Members include the chosen director (serving as committee chairperson), two or more additional faculty members from the major department and a representative for each minor.

Looking for PhD Programs in Bloomington?

Prospective PhD students interested in applying to graduate programs at IU School of Medicine—Bloomington can find details on these programs on the Bloomington campus pages.