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Program Overview:

In 2026, the BCMB Program admitted 13 students from a pool of 542 applicants. As of August 2026, the total number of students in the program is 102. The average time to degree is 5.7 years. Students in this program primarily work at the East Baltimore campus, with a small number working at the Homewood campus.

JHU School of Medicine PhD students receive guaranteed financial support, subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the JHU PhD Union. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the minimum rate of pay is $52,000. Tuition is covered, and eligible PhD students receive student health benefits. For additional information about compensation, tuition, health care, leave, and other benefits, please consult the CBA.

Stipends are subject to federal, state, and local taxes. Students from Maryland with student loans may receive State tax benefits. Additional information regarding financial aid and student financial resources is available on the Financial Aid website.

The university will assist incoming PhD students who demonstrate significant financial need through a relocation grant ($2000 for domestic students and $2500 for international students). Applicants can find more information about relocation grants here.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to explore external funding opportunities before beginning their training.

The University does not provide graduate student housing. Information and resources related to off-campus housing are available through the Housing Office.

Application Instructions:

The application for the BCMB program is open from 9/8/2026 to 12/1/2026. Prospective applicants may log in to the Application Management website to prepare their applications. Applications may only be submitted during the application period. All components of the application must be received before the deadline for consideration for admission.

Admissions Requirements and Application Materials:

  • Academic History & Prior Research Experience:
    • Applicants must list all colleges and universities they have attended and upload a transcript from each institution.
    • Applicants with prior research experience should provide information about that experience, including the institution, research mentor or supervisor, dates of participation, and any publications or other research products resulting from the experience, as applicable.
  • GRE: GRE scores are not required and will not be considered in the admissions process for BCMB. Applicants should not submit GRE scores.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Applicants must submit a CV. The CV may be updated after the application is submitted, provided that any updates are submitted before the graduate program’s application deadline.
  • Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement that describes their personal motivation for pursuing a career in science and their research experience. The research description need not be comprehensive but should describe at least one meaningful experience in detail. The statement should conclude with a concise description of why they want to pursue their studies in the indicated program at Johns Hopkins University. The statement may also include a brief description of how the applicant’s life experiences or professional journey have prepared them to contribute to the academic and scientific community.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must identify three (3) individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic, research, professional, or other relevant work and provide contact information for these references. The School of Medicine will contact the identified references and request that they submit letters of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.

International Students:

  • The University will sponsor visas for accepted students. However, JHU’s willingness to sponsor or support a visa application does not guarantee that a visa will be approved or issued.
  • International students whose native language is not English are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). When taking the exam, applicants should request official scores be reported to Institution Code 5316 (the Department Code is not necessary). To report official IELTS test scores, please include the Test Report Form (TRF) verification number on the application. Scores must be received before the application deadline.
  • The TOEFL and IELTS requirement will be waived if the applicant has completed their degree in a U.S. institution, is currently enrolled and will receive a degree from a university within the U.S. or received a degree from a country whose official language is English prior to matriculation at JHU SOM.
  • All transcripts, letters of recommendation, and parts of the admissions application must be in English. The approved transcript service for use by international students is WES.
  • Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents should consult the Application Fees and Fee Waivers section on the On-Campus Programs website for information about application fees and eligibility for fee waivers.

Additional Application Information:

  • Parts of the admissions application collect demographic and other information. Race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, and other legally protected characteristics are not considered in the selection of candidates for admission to the training program.

Admissions Fees:

  • An application fee of $125 is required and must be submitted using a credit card. The application fee allows an applicant to apply for up to four (4) programs in the School of Medicine.
  • U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who meet the School of Medicine’s published eligibility requirements may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Eligibility for a fee waiver is separate from the academic admissions process and does not affect an applicant’s consideration for admission. For a complete description of eligibility requirements and the fee-waiver process, please see the Application Fees and Fee Waivers section of the On-Campus Programs webpage.

Application Status:

  • Once an application has been submitted, the applicant may follow its progress through the Application Status Page. The page can be accessed after submission of the application and contains the most current information regarding application status and outstanding materials.

Admissions Timelines:

  • Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible. Admissions decisions are generally not based on when an application is submitted within the application period; however, applying early allows additional time for application processing as well as for academic, financial, and enrollment planning.
  • BCMB will extend invitations to interview by late December or early January. The first round of interviews will be conducted virtually. Applicants who advance beyond the first round will be invited to a required second-round interview as part of the BCMB admissions process.
  • Letters describing acceptance, wait list status, or rejection will be sent by email. This information will also be available on the Application status website. Applicants selected for acceptance must choose to accept or reject the offer by April 15. On April 15, all accepted offers become binding.
  • Incoming students will matriculate in late August. Orientation will be held in late August on or shortly after the matriculation date. Students will begin their training at this time. The BCMB program only accepts students for fall matriculation.

Applicant Survey:

  • Applicants will receive a survey after the admissions process has concluded requesting feedback regarding their experience with the admissions process. The survey will also ask questions about the disability status of applicants.
  • Participation in the survey is voluntary, and survey responses are not used in admissions decisions and have no effect on an applicant’s admission status or any offer of admission.

Upon Acceptance:

  • Individuals who accept an offer of admission will undergo a criminal background check.
  • Accepted students must submit official transcripts to the School of Medicine Registrar. Official transcripts may be submitted electronically through a transcript service approved by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Registrar. The approved transcript service for international students is WES. Transcripts may also be mailed directly to the School of Medicine Registrar by the issuing institution. Detailed instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Communicating with the Program:

Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative

Image of Vivien Thomas
Vivien Theodore Thomas, portrait by Bob Gee

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) honors the legacy of Dr. Vivien Thomas, a pioneering scientist and surgical assistant whose work helped advance cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins. The initiative expands pathways to Johns Hopkins STEM PhD programs for talented students from a broad range of academic backgrounds and provides robust financial, mentoring, and professional development support. Please visit the VTSI program website for more information about the VTSI program.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

The Johns Hopkins University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics in any program or activity administered by the university, or with regard to admission or employment. Questions regarding Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 should be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity, Wyman Park Building Suite 515, (410) 516-8075 – https://oie.jhu.edu/contact/