Pre-doctoral Training

Applications for Pre-doctoral Training appointments to the Training Program in Sleep, Circadian and Respiratory Neurobiology are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Pre-doctoral appointments are made initially for two years. According to Federal guidelines, pre-doctoral trainees may receive a maximum of five years of total support from any NRSA grant, such as this T32 program or an Individual F32 award. Renewal for a second or any additional years of appointment to this program carries a requirement to submit an application for renewal and progress report on an annual basis.

In order to fulfill the Certificate requirements for this program, trainees are expected to follow the program guidelines outlined below. For complete details, download the Training Program’s Orientation Packet – one of several useful documents and resources on the Forms and Resources page. 

Pre-doctoral Trainees are encouraged to have more than one laboratory experience - particularly in their first year - with laboratory rotations with at least two Faculty Preceptors of three months each. These rotations are usually not full time except during the summer, and are generally taken along with course work. They are designed to provide hands-on experience in different techniques and laboratories, and they may help you with choosing a thesis research topic.

Upon appointment to this Training Program, trainees should meet in person with the program administrator and the program's Academic Advisor, to complete required forms and review the details of the program’s requirements, including:
 

• Trainees are required to meet in person at regular intervals with their Faculty Preceptor(s), the program's Academic Advisor and the Program Director. Trainees are responsible for initiating these meetings.
• Trainees are required to make at least one Research-in-Progress presentation during their appointment to their peers and program faculty.
• Trainees are required to complete each of the courses required for their training track, and attend regular lectures, seminars and meetings. Course waivers or exceptions may be granted by the curriculum advisor - for example, for a substitute course - upon review.
• All trainees are required to submit an application for support for an individual NRSA or equivalent within 18 months of their original appointment to this Training Program, and (if not initially awarded) in the first six months of each year of continuation thereafter. Trainees are advised to meet with the Training Coordinator for consultation on this and other topics.

Pre-doctoral Program Applicants should include with their application forms a brief statement of interest in the field of sleep and/or in this Training Program, their CV, copies of any publications on which they are an author, and an official copy of their undergraduate coursework transcripts. Three letters of recommendation should be sent under separate cover directly to the Program Director.

Trainees completing this program earn a Certificate in Sleep Medicine from the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine, which is a certificate of completion of program requirements. Students and Fellows with alternate funding may also apply to participate in this program and earn the certificate of completion. For more information, please review the Program Description, or link directly to any of the program specifics and resources below.