General Information

The Duke University Developmental Biology Program is a certificate program that contributes to seven different PhD-granting Biomedical Sciences departments throughout Duke University and the Duke University Medical Center. Although prospective students apply to and are admitted directly through the DBP Program, students will affiliate with one of the seven participating departments by the end of their first year of graduate study. DBP students will eventually earn their Ph.D. through their affiliated department. If a student wishes to apply to the DBP and has a special interest in a participating department, the department name may be noted on the application.

Prospective students applying to the Program are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. It is recommended that applicants also submit scores from a relevant GRE subject test. Applications are evaluated on the basis of letters of recommendation, academic record, performance on the GREs, and previous research experience. The Developmental Biology Program is committed to increasing the participation of minority students in scientific research, and minority students are encouraged to apply.

The DBP is funded primarily by a training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and provides financial support for a student's first two years of study. Beginning in the third year, students are supported by other types of financial aid such as University fellowships, teaching or research assistantships, or outside fellowships or grants. Please note that because our funding is primarily NIH-based there are a limited number of positions for applicants who are not currently U.S. citizens or permanent residents. However, regardless of citizenship all students admitted to the program are offered a financial aid package that includes full payment of tuition, fees, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Prospective students are encouraged to apply online, but may also request a mail-in application. Further information may be obtained from:

Office of Admissions
The Graduate School
Duke University
Box 90065
Durham, NC 27708-0065

The deadline for submission is December 31.

Further information about the Developmental Biology Program can be obtained by e-mail at devbio@biochem.duke.edu, or you may call 919-684-6629 during normal business hours, United States Eastern Time.