National Symposium for Predoctoral Research

Eligibility

To be considered for the NSPR, please complete the application form, and submit all requested supporting documentation. Only complete applications submitted by the application deadline along with all requested supporting documentation will be considered by the selection committee. Participation in the NSPR is limited to US citizens and permanent residents who plan to attend graduate school within the next 1 - 2 years. Applicants are typically enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, postbac programs at institutions located within the United States, or those taking a gap year in preparation of graduate school. Additionally, participants are required not to have committed to a PhD or MS program before the symposium dates. You will be asked to verify that you meet these eligibility requirements on the application form. 

Application Requirements

All items must be submitted by the application deadline, Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST, in order to be considered. Please verify that your CV, research abstract, and personal statement conform to the following format and length restrictions before submitting your application.

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume): Your CV must not exceed four (4) pages in length.
2. Research Abstract: Trainees selected to participate in the NSPR will be required to bring a poster on their submitted abstract to present. Please note that the abstract and abstract title submitted with your application will be used to advertise your poster presentation at the NSPR if you are selected to attend. Abstracts are limited to 350 words and must contain the title and list of authors at the top of the document. However, title and authorship lines do not count towards the 350-word limit. Abstracts should not include any figures.
3. Personal Statement: Submit a personal statement not to exceed one (1) page. The statement should clearly articulate your personal and educational goals, as well as your motivation for participating in the NSPR. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their academic experiences, research interests, and career aspirations align with the objectives of the symposium, and how participation in this symposium would support their professional development and future goals.
4. Unofficial Transcript: Upload a recent unofficial transcript from your institution.
5. Reference Letter: A reference and letter of support from your research advisor is also required for your application to be considered for the NSPR. You will be asked to provide your advisor’s full name and email address on the application form. Your advisor will be sent an email with the link to the reference form upon completion of the application. However, we encourage you to reach out to your recommender directly to ensure they will complete the reference form.

It is the applicant's responsibility to follow up with the reference to ensure the link was received and complete the form by the deadline of Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. If the reference has any issues accessing the reference form link, please contact gradadmissions@stjude.org.