Weill Cornell IMSD Program

Funded by NIH/NIGMS as a training grant (T32), the Weill Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) is a leadership development program that aims to train the next generation of scientific leaders in biomedical research who prioritize meaningful community involvement. The program supports the participation of PhD students whose varied experiences are vital for scientific innovation. The program welcomes those who are the first in their family to attend college, have faced socioeconomic disadvantage, come from under-resourced educational backgrounds, live with disabilities, or bring lived or chosen experiences that reflect a strong commitment to marginalized and underserved communities. We also value the resilience of individuals who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of graduate education. All candidates who identify with these experiences are encouraged to apply. Newly accepted Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) PhD students apply to become IMSD fellows after April 22nd of each year.

Selected students will participate in the Early Start Program, which includes a six-week summer rotation and professional development activities designed to prepare students for the first year of their PhD. IMSD fellows receive funding during their first two years of training, which includes support for conference travel and additional career/professional development training. During years 3 and 4, fellows remain eligible for funding support in the form of conference travel or professional/career development training.  

Fellows also join a community of incoming first-year PhD students through the Esprit de Corps near-peer mentorship program, receiving support at multiple stages of the PhD training experience, in addition to academic and professional enrichment opportunities. Explore the benefits of the IMSD Program in the "Benefits" tab above.

• Incoming 1st year PhD students at Weill Cornell Graduate School
• Individuals who can commit to the IMSD Early Start Program, beginning July 1st and ending on August 7th
• Individuals who are citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment, as per NIH Guidelines (PAR-21-025)

Eligible WCGS PhD students complete a short application to be considered for selection by the IMSD Admissions Committee, composed of IMSD program leadership and WCGS graduate program directors. 

A call for applications is sent to accepted students in late March. The deadline to apply is April 22nd. 

Four students are selected as IMSD fellows each year and notified in early May.

Weill Cornell IMSD program fully supports fellows in years 1 and 2 of their graduate training. Fellows are eligible for an annual travel award of up to $1800 and a one-time professional development allowance. In subsequent years (training years 3 and 4), students actively participants of the program will remain eligible for travel support and professional/career development training. 

First-year IMSD Fellows start at Weill Cornell in the summer (July 1st) before their first semester to conduct a 6-week, summer research rotation in the laboratory of an IMSD faculty member. The early start program (ESP) allows for a smooth transition to Weill Cornell while securing housing, adjusting to the city, and participating in programming that helps to elucidate what to expect in the fall. 

The focus areas of the ESP programming fall into three categories: Community Building, Academic Development, and Professional Development. IMSD Fellows participate in weekly meetings, professional development workshops, and social outings. By the end of the ESP, student participants will have formed a strong sense of community and feel more equipped to address their academic and professional endeavors as a collective and supportive network. 

IMSD fellows will receive mentorship from multiple sources: IMSD Faculty Mentors and IMSD Coaches. Much like an actual coach, IMSD Coaches will be expected to help students navigate graduate training. Coaches are not research mentors. Rather, they provide complementary focus and expertise to help fellows excel. Coaches will be especially skilled in helping fellows acknowledge and address the challenges that scientists may face. IMSD Coaches will include senior postdocs, alumni, faculty, and professionals in sectors such as academia, industry/for-profit, and non-profit. All Coaches are based in the NYC area to allow for easy access and in-person mentorship. 

IMSD Fellows receive personal career counseling in all years of their training, along with leadership development training in their senior years in preparation for the post-PhD workforce.  As part of the program, IMSD students are expected to register and actively participate in the leadership and professional development course IDPT9004 – Strategic Transition and Readiness, for the duration of the program.  

IMSD fellows are expected to participate in all required IMSD activities.

Weill Cornell IMSD program is committed to providing the best support for our students. To such objective, the IMSD leadership has invited a group of external experts in scientific education and capacity building programming, to provide guidance, advice, and feedback on current practices in our program. Our external advisory committee members are: 

• D’Anne Duncan, PhD – University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Affairs, UCSF IMSD Director 
• Ashton Murray, PhD – Rockefeller University, Vice President for University Life and Community Engagement
• Yaihara Fortis Santiago, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering, Associate Director, Postdoctoral Affairs and Trainee Diversity Initiatives