2026 application open; positions contingent on NIH funding
Selection of the 2026 PREP cohort is contingent upon CSU’s receipt of the official NIH notice of the 2026 funding cycle, which we anticipate receiving in February (or early March). Should the grant be funded as anticipated, applications will proceed to review. In the event that the funding cycle is disrupted in a manner similar to the 2025 cycle, applicants will be promptly notified, and application reviews will be paused.
The Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at CSU aims to fill the gap in veterinarians trained in foundational, translational, and/or clinical research. This multi-track program enables recent Bachelor of Science graduates to be competitive to enter either a Ph.D. (track 1) or combined D.V.M./Ph.D. (track 2) program.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the goal of the national Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program is to develop a diverse pool of well-trained postbaccalaureates who will transition into and complete rigorous biomedical, research-focused doctoral degree programs in biomedical fields relevant to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences mission.
Program activities
Trainees will enhance their aptitude for foundational, translational and/or clinical research, develop skills in independent critical reasoning, creative ideation, observation and rigorous experimental design and analytical interpretation, peer mentorship, and responsible and ethical conduct of research. Confirmation of acceptance to a graduate program upon successful completion of the program is desired, but not required.
Participants will engage in veterinary and translational medicine research training through research skills development, professional skills development, and scientific research:
Research skills development
Includes training, courses, and workshops to help participants develop laboratory skills that support their faculty-led research lab experience.
Trainees will:
- Participate in training to develop laboratory skills in relevant techniques (i.e. pipetting, performing PCRs, sterile technique, etc.)
- Learn to analyze results of experiments and interpret them in the context of the hypothesis and relevant literature (data interpretation and analysis skills)
- Enroll in and complete NIH’s Responsible Conduct of Research training during the first semester of the program (required before mentor-guided lab work can begin)
- Develop research presentation skills through mentor guidance and seminars
- Present at Science Slam and PREP Talks
Professional skills development
Trainees will:
- Participate in orientation, courses, seminars (at least 2 per month), and workshops that enhance independent research, as directed by program leadership
- Complete 5 credit hours from list of required courses:
- MIP 372, Graduate School Preparation
- MIP 470, Graduate Fellowship Proposal Preparation
- MIP 540, Fundamentals of Biosafety and Biosecurity
- MIP 611, Advanced Microbiological Research Methods OR ERHS 535, R Programming for Research (skills courses)
- MIP 780A3, Research Team Mentoring
- VM 603, Veterinary Science: Research and Methods (for D.V.M./Ph.D. track only)
- Engage in mentorship team activities, including peer mentoring
- Prepare and submit at least 3 applications to Ph.D. or D.V.M./Ph.D. programs (application fees are covered by program)
- Submit a Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant to NSF following instruction from course leaders
- Participate in all evaluation activities (end-of-program survey and participant interviews conducted by the CSU Institute for Research in the Social Sciences)
Scientific research
Trainees will gain hands-on research lab experience working under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Lab activities include:
- Formulating hypotheses and determining proper controls and experimental protocols specific to selected research study
- Performing data interpretation and analysis for selected research study
- Presenting research study results at a national conference near the completion of the program
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- hold a Bachelor of Science in a biomedically relevant field (such as microbiology, biomedical sciences, or closely related field) from an accredited college or university awarded no more than 36 months before applying (i.e. no earlier than January 2023).
- intend to apply to research-focused biomedical doctoral degree programs (e.g. Ph.D. or D.V.M./Ph.D.) during or immediately following completion of PREP. Intent to pursue medical degrees does not qualify.
- be a United States citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (at the time of appointment).
- be able to begin the program June 1, 2026.
- not be enrolled in a degree granting program when they begin PREP.
Funding
Financial support includes:
- $30,000 stipend (June 1, 2026-May 31, 2027)
- Employee Study Privilege benefit (5 credit hours)
- $2,000 travel stipend
- $2,500 child care supplement (as needed)
Application information
Before applying, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the application materials. Reviewing this information in advance will help ensure that all required information is prepared before beginning the application process. We also encourage applicants to identify a PREP faculty member whose research aligns with their interest.
In the written section of the application, please be prepared to:
- describe your specific interest in Colorado State University and in CSU’s Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). Highlight how you will benefit from CSU and PREP.
- describe your current and future career goals. Specifically, discuss your personal and academic experiences (including pre-college and college experiences) that led you to those goals.
- describe a time you showed resilience in your academic, research, or personal life.
- discuss your personal interest in joining the biomedical workforce.
Application materials
- Unofficial transcripts
- Contact information of two individuals who we can contact for letters of reference that discuss how you will benefit from joining PREP and your qualifications to begin g a postbaccalaureate program. Upon notice of our 2026 funding cycle, we will email you and those listed to provide a letter of reference; we anticipate receiving notice of funding late March to early April.
2026 Application timeline
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