Student Funding

National Library of Medicine (NLM) Funded Fellows

We have a long and distinguished 31-year history of funding by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to support pre and postdoctoral fellows as part of our training program. Fellows specialize in health care informatics, clinical research informatics, translational bioinformatics, public health informatics. In all of these areas, biomedical data science concepts and methods are part of the core curriculum. NLM-funded trainees join a rich network of NLM supported programs, attend annual conferences to present their research, and are pioneering alumni who found and lead informatics programs nationwide. Per the NIH, NLM eligibility is limited to US citizens and permanent residents.  

Fellowship Opportunities

See the GSAS Office of Graduate Affairs website for fellowship opportunities.

Funding for Ph.D. Students

The Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) guarantees funding for all Ph.D. students under certain conditions. See the GSAS Office of Graduate Affairs policy on time to degree limits. Funding covers tuition, health insurance fees, University fees and a stipend. The amount and frequency of checks is dependent upon funding source and position. Whether funded as an NLM fellow receiving a stipend 3 times annually or as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) receiving a biweekly salary, the yearly amount received is identical and set by the Board of Trustees each summer.  The amount for PhD students is communicated to students in their initial offer of admission letter from the GSAS Dean’s Office. Annual increases are not guaranteed but are usually in the vicinity of 3 percent.

GSAS PhD Student Vacation and Leave Policy

See the GSAS Office of Graduate Affairs policy page.