Graduate Research Education Program (GREP)

Goals

The Graduate Research Education Program (GREP) is a post-baccalaureate program for participants with an interest in biomedical research. You'll gain research experience that can aid you in choosing and obtaining opportunities related to your chosen career path in biomedical research. This experience increases your competitiveness and prepares you for your next career step. GREP helps you achieve your goals by providing you with:

  • Mentored research experience in a world-class biomedical research laboratory
  • Opportunities to participate in selected graduate classes and seminars to enhance your understanding of and provide exposure to related research and career development tools, including networking opportunities
  • Presentation opportunities
  • Mentoring and guidance with next steps in career development

Program time frame

GREP is a 1-to-2-year program for full-time candidates.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must have:

  • A bachelor's degree with a strong background in science, technology, engineering or math
  • Interest in biomedical research as a career
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Authorization to work and remain in the United States without necessity for Mayo Clinic sponsorship now or in the future (for example, be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, refugee or asylee)

Applicants who are currently in graduate or medical school are not eligible.

Program success measurements

Within the program time frame, you are expected to gain a clear understanding of and enthusiasm for your chosen career path within biomedical research and secure your next position along that path. Mayo Clinic may offer a post-GREP position if both you and Mayo are interested in employment.

Find a mentor

When looking for additional opportunities besides those on the Mayo Clinic job postings website, you should identify and contact Mayo investigators, state your interest in their research, and inquire about opportunities. Opportunities are based on availability of space and funding. Most positions are found this way.

Visit Mayo Clinic department and division websites to review research faculty bios and related laboratories that may correspond to your area of interest.

Additionally, potential hiring mentors can often be found among the list of faculty members who are actively seeking Ph.D. students.

Once you've identified one or more potential mentors, you should introduce yourself by email using language such as:

"I am interested in Mayo Clinic's Graduate Research Education Program (GREP) for recent college graduates who are eventually heading to [state your desired goal: medical school, doctoral training, or similar]. GREP offers 1 to 2 years of research experience along with eligibility to take graduate courses at Mayo Clinic. I understand that participation in the program involves finding a mentor who is enthusiastic about hiring me for 1 to 2 years. I have been told that Mayo research administrators have full information about GREP, with annual costs to the mentor of about $45,000. I have attached my CV and would be eager to speak with you by phone or email if you are interested in discussing a potential research experience in your lab."

Required application documents

  • Current transcript — OPART accepts unofficial transcripts for this program
  • One- or two-sentence statement of research interest
  • Resume and cover letter

Apply online

Interested students must apply for GREP via the Mayo Clinic job postings website.

All students must pass background checks and post-offer placement assessments prior to their start dates. Allow at least four business days before your start date to complete the post-offer placement assessment.

Students who are new to Mayo Clinic and returning students who have not worked at Mayo Clinic for more than six months must attend Mayo Clinic orientation.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Research Training (OPART) at OPART@mayo.edu.