Program Features

The Genetics & Genomics Academy (GGA) and the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center have collaborated to build the new NIH/NC State Genetics and Genomics Training Program (GGTP). The GGTP is a two-year fellowship program for students starting their second year of their PhD at NC State in one of six PhD-granting programs (Biology, Biomathematics, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Entomology, Genetics & Genomics, and Microbiology; Fig. 1). The GGTP, co-developed by the Genetics and Genomics Academy (GGA) and the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center, provides PhD students with fundamental, cross-disciplinary knowledge in genetics, genomics, and social sciences to address the ethics and societal impacts of their research. The GGTP integrates technical training in genetics and genomics with courses and activities led by social scientists to prepare our T32 trainees to design their research and disseminate their knowledge effectively and appropriately for the benefit of society. We are seeking motivated and collaborative PhD students that are interested in exploring the societal implications of their dissertation research. The GGTP is organized around five biomedical core themes: Microbiology and Human Health (MIC), Cell and Developmental Genetics (CDG), Genetic Engineering (ENG), Quantitative and Computational Genetics (QNT), and Gene and Genome Evolution (EVO) (Fig. 2).

The GGTP is an NIH T32 program, supporting a cohort of 4 new students each year. GGTP-funded trainees will receive a $35,000 stipend along with full tuition and benefits.

Affiliated PhD Programs

The GGTP is open to 2nd year PhD students in select GGTP Faculty Trainer labs in the following graduate programs:

Eligibility

GGTP Faculty Trainers are eligible to nominate graduate student trainees whose research aligns with one of the five core themes (Fig. 2). Faculty Trainers can nominate students under their direct supervision and must complete the nomination form and supply the additional required documents.

Trainees must be: i) nominated by their faculty advisor from the list of GGTP Faculty Trainers, ii) nominated during the second semester of their PhD, iii) enrolled in one of the six affiliated PhD-granting programs (Fig. 1), and iv) engaged in a thesis research project aligned with one of the five biomedical core themes (Fig. 2). Nominees must submit a two-page Research Statement outlining key research aims and explaining how their thesis project aligns with GGTP’s biomedical interests and core themes, as well as how their research intersects with societal concerns or needs

Application

Graduate students must be nominated by an eligible research mentor during the spring semester of their 1st year in their graduate program. Faculty must complete the nomination form and supply the additional required documents. Nominees must submit a two-page Research Statement outlining key research aims and explaining how their thesis project aligns with GGTP’s biomedical interests and core themes, as well as how their research intersects with societal concerns or needs. The nomination form includes details of the commitment for both faculty nominators and nominees.