Financing a PhD program can be stressful for many students, who may be underpaid or have work expectations that delay their progress in their programs. This concern has perhaps been most visible in recent movements to unionize among graduate workers. This study aims to examine the current state of funding and financial support for PhD students in programs affiliated with US medical schools.
PhD program directors and/or administrative personnel at US medical schools received an online survey via email. The survey collected data on student funding categories (e.g. assistantships, scholarships, fellowships) and information on the amount of support received by students. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Microsoft Excel.
Participants from 78 medical schools answered the survey. Fifty-six participants reported annual stipends related to research assistantships, 41 for fellowships and 19 for teaching assistantships. The average stipend was $30,657 for research assistantships and fellowships and $26,100 for teaching assistantships. Sixty percent of research assistantships, 71% of fellowships and 68% of teaching assistantships offered health insurance fully covered by the department/institution. Coverage between regions varied widely.
These results demonstrate current financial resources and support for graduate students affiliated with US medical schools. This information may be used by program directors and administrators to assess how their financial support compares to similar schools nationally and regionally. This type of standardization may be one way to help reduce stress levels and increase support for graduate students. Prospective students may also use this information when choosing a program to attend.
