FAQs
Prior experience is helpful, but not required. However, candidates should have a strong commitment to undergraduate education.
No, all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. However, successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a major objective of the program, which is to encourage underrepresented minority students into biomedical research careers.
No, many PennPORT applicants have not identified a faculty research mentor prior to applying. However, applicants should include 1-3 faculty of interest on their application. Our program staff will assist you with contacting faculty and finding a lab that is a good fit. A good place to research faculty research interests is the Biomedical Graduate Studies website.
Candidates who have already identified one or more prospective mentors are welcome to make contact at any time. Please indicate this on your application form.
The entire group of fellows and administrators meet monthly for lunch to discuss research progress, experiences at partnering schools, successes, and challenges. These networking lunches are an integral part of the program.
Yes, all applicants will present a seminar to our director and the research lab(s) of interest.
Depending on availability, during your visit you may meet with all faculty members of interest.
Each PennPORT IRACDA scholar teaches one course as instructor of record in each of two. The second year of the program is the teaching intensive year.
Scholar salaries are governed by Penn’s minimum postdoctoral stipends, which exceed NIH guidelines. Medical benefits are based on Penn’s benefits for non-NRSA postdocs. Rules governing CHOP and Wistar-based postdocs differ slightly, but salaries and benefits are comparable.
Yes, travel costs to the teaching institutions are paid by the PennPORT IRACDA program.
Yes, each scholar is allotted funds to purchase teaching supplies annually. In addition, all fellows are given funds to attend professional conferences or workshops.
All PennPORT scholars are expected to attend the annual IRACDA meeting. Scholars can also choose an additional professional conference or workshop.