Apply

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials for your application to the NSF portal at [Link coming soon!]

A) Personal Statement (1 page limit): Tell us about your life experience and you as a person.

B) Research Interest Essay (5,000 character limit): What excites you about biological sciences and why do you want to do trans-disciplinary biological research in the NY-RaMP program?

C) Resume/CV: This should include your graduation date or expected graduation date.

D) College transcript: Applicants are expected to have taken science classes.

E) Letters of Recommendation: Two or more letters of recommendation from science faculty.

F) NSF ETAP Questionnaire: There are two short-answer questions.

• How do you think you can contribute to a research team? (100 characters)

• Are you willing to read a short research article and discuss it with the program selection committee during an interview? (Yes/No)

Applications must be submitted through the NSF portal. Emailed applications will not be considered.

Tips for the Application and Interview:

• We recommend applicants contact science faculty about letters of recommendation very early to give them time to prepare their letters before the deadline.

• Prior to the Zoom interview, applicants will be sent a summary of a scientific article to read. We recommend applicants read it carefully and be ready to discuss their understanding of the article during the Zoom interview.

• Prior to the Zoom interview, it is recommended that applicants read about the Mentors and other aspects of NY-RaMP.

Application Timeline for 2026-2027 cohort

• Application opens: October 1, 2025

• Optional online NY-RaMP Webinars for applicants to learn more about the program and ask questions:

  • Webinar: Wednesday, November 12 from 10-11 am EST

  • Webinar: Wednesday, December 10 from 3-4 pm EST

  • Webinar: Wednesday, January 7 from 7-8 pm EST

  • Webinar: Monday, February 4 from 12-1 pm EST

• Application deadline: February 18, 2026

• Zoom interviews: March 2025

• Offer decision: April 3, 2026

• Acceptance: Applicants who are offered admission should accept or reject the offer within two weeks.

• Program begins: August 1, 2026

• Program ends: July 2027

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Other years

• The first cohort of 10 NY-RaMP Scholars began in August 2024 and completed the 1-year program in July 2025.

• The second cohort of 10 NY-RaMP Scholars began in August 2025 and will complete the 1-year program in July 2026.

• NY-RaMP is funded to recruit two additional cohorts. The second cohort applied with a February 18, 2025 deadline, began on August 1, 2025, and will complete the 1-year program in July 2026. The third cohort will apply February 2026, begin in August 2026, and complete the 1-year program in July 2027.

Tube with NY-RaMP at Hunter College, Belfer Research Building