The mission of The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research is to prepare a superb cadre of predoctoral researchers from around the world for the pursuit of innovative and creative investigations in the biological sciences. We are looking for candidates that are passionate about research and are looking for a truly innovative place to pursue research. Our unique program places researchers in their thesis labs within a year of starting, with all courses and rotations completed. 

In order to identify the very best researchers, our application process is free of charge. We do not request GRE or TOEFL, rather we bring all candidate under serious consideration to visit the Graduate School and meet our faculty and current predoctoral researchers. The energy of our community and the enthusiasm for science is contagious! 

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research has been called the “Emerald City of Kansas City’s life sciences.”The vision of Jim and Virginia Stowers, the founders of the Stowers Institute, is to create a research institute that will have a significant impact on health through basic research. Research ranges from developmental biology to gene regulation/ cancer biology to regeneration to neuroscience and more.

As a private institute, funding is provided for each lab regardless of outside sources. That allows for our scientists to focus on their science rather than grant writing. That also means that there is secure funding for graduate thesis work. This has fostered a truly collaborative spirit amongst the faculty.

Collaboration also happens with our core facilities. These facilities are uniquely design to maximize the effectiveness of the laboratory researcher. They are heavily technology-centered and staffed by Ph.D.’s who are there to specifically work on projects from throughout the institute. These facilities include imaging, proteomics, genomics, screening, molecular biology, cytometry, and tissue culture.

Why Graduate School at the Stowers Institute?

Our commitment to scientists and their science is actively supported in ways not found in most other institutes. This translates to our graduate program.

Program Highlights:

• Financial support includes a generous stipend of $37,080/ year. Live in the affordable and lively city of Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Other benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage
  • Each student receives a laptop computer for their coursework and research that they will keep
• All coursework is completed within the first six months of starting. Seven 2-week modules combine basic biological concepts with practical laboratory training.
  • All modules are taught by our world-class scientists. This gives predoctoral researchers a high-level of training and a unique opportunity to get to know our faculty intimately.
  • The modules also give predoctoral researchers direct access to the most modern technologies and research core facilities
• Extensive mentoring through the duration of the Ph.D. program
• The graduate program strives for completing a research-based Ph.D. degree in Biology in an average time of five years from matriculation.

How to apply:
Our online application is available on our website.

• Applying for The Graduate School is free of charge.
• In keeping with our philosophy that it is the research that matters, the application will ask questions heavily geared toward your past research experience
• Although we ask about publications, there is no requirement to have previously published
• Standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL are NOT required

Visit our website to learn more.

Contact Ana J. Pedraza at education@stowers.org with any questions.