2027-2028 UF CVM Competitive Block Grant Awards for New PhD Students

UF CVM will offer up to nine competitive block-grant awards to support new PhD students who start in Fall 2027. Each award will pay tuition, service fees and stipend at an annual base rate of $35,000 per year (plus Fringe and Benefits, 11.8%) for four years.

CVM Office of Research and Graduate Studies (ORGS) will accept Fall 2027 PhD applications (for selection of block grant recipients) until December 11, 2026. The review and ranking of applications will be completed by January 29, 2027. CVM ORGS will confirm and inform selected award recipients and designed major professors by February 12, 2027.

For more information, please contact hernandezja@ufl.edu

Block Grant Trainee Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must have mentors with strong research and mentorship qualifications and necessary financial support.
• Applicants must have strong academic credentials and excellent communication skills.
• Applicants must commit to teaching assignments and research training requirements of the program.

• Applicants must demonstrate an interest in developing a multidisciplinary career in research.
• Per UF Graduate School policy, all international applicants appointed as teaching assistants will be required to provide English Proficiency Test Scores and meet the minimum score requirements. 
• Block Grant trainees will have a .5 FTE teaching assistantship and will fulfill teaching assignment responsibilities every Fall and Spring. 

 Block Grant Trainee Expectations

• Work with mentor to establish a “flight plan, aka schedule of courses, aka Form1” for success during their first semester
• Prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in the first semester and submit on annual basis thereafter
• Participate in a clinical-translational team and design at least one related aim for thesis dissertation
• Attend at least six career & professional development events each year
• Participate in program activities
• Present research at the annual Phi Zeta conference each year
• Publish peer reviewed paper
• Complete all degree requirements

The ranking of applicants will be based using the following criteria:

[A] Applicant’s academic and professional credentials: Academic degree(s) (BS, DVM or equivalent, MS, Residency) + GPA + Publications as first author or co-author + abstract presentations.

[B] Applicant’s statement of purpose

[C] Three letters of reference, including letter from the designated major advisor indicating source(s) of funding to cover (a) stipend plus F&B (25%) and (b) PhD student research expenses.

[D] The designated major advisor and mentor must have strong research and mentorship qualifications and must have sufficient funding support.

[E] Ranking will be confirmed by CVM ORGS in consultation with designated major advisors.

Stipend: In each award offered, the designated major advisor will contribute to the annual stipend (25% or $8,750) plus F&B (25% or $1,085) for four years; other sources of funding identified by the major advisor or the student can be acceptable. CVM will cover 75% of the annual stipend and F&B, as well as 100% of student fees for four years.

Award recipients are appointed as Graduate Assistants (GA) with research and teaching task obligations (FTE = 0.50). As GA, the PhD student will engage in TA support in the graduate program in selected courses in Spring or Fall semesters annually for four years. Teaching Assistantships are assigned by CVM ORGS, in consultation with the designated major advisor and selected course coordinator(s).