The Graduate Program in Neuroscience provides funding for the first three academic quarters of enrollment, during which students complete their required laboratory rotations. This funding period spans nine months, from September 16 through June 15. During this time students are expected to secure a permanent laboratory placement by the completion of their three required rotations. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth rotation may be approved by the Program Directors. Approval is contingent upon the availability of funding from the host laboratory for the additional rotation period.
Continued funding beyond the first year is contingent upon successful completion of this program milestone, as then funding is provided by their PI/Advisor. Neuroscience students who maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory progress in the program are supported with a salary and/or stipend/fellowship and their tuition is covered. Students who do not secure a permanent laboratory placement after completing their rotations will not be eligible for ongoing program support and may be subject to academic dismissal from the program.
Salary/Stipends
GPN students are paid the variable rate RA salary for Biomedical Research Departments, which can be found here, refer to the Variable Rate RA Salary Schedule (Sch. 1&3) rates.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for National Science Foundation or other individual fellowships. Most Neuroscience students also qualify for a variety of NIH institutional training grants awarded to the University of Washington.
Tuition Waivers
The tuition waivers include basic tuition (operating & tech fees) for graduate students. Students who are not residents of Washington State also receive waivers for the non-resident tuition portion, but are highly encouraged to establish residency after their first year. Students are usually only responsible for the student activity fees and the UPASS.
Insurance
Health (medical/dental/vision) insurance is available to eligible students at no cost, and to their families at a modest cost. Details on the Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan are available via the UW Human Resources website (Insurance).
NSF Graduate Fellowships
An unusual feature of NSF Graduate Fellowships is that students may apply for fellowships even before they have been accepted into a graduate program. We encourage students applying to our program to apply for an NSF fellowship. Applying for and receiving such a fellowship is not essential, because our Program guarantees full tuition and stipend support for all entering students. However, having applied for an NSF fellowship may be seen as a favorable indication of the student’s strong motivation.