Courses Begin September 2026
Click Here for Application Instructions and to Initiate Notification of Intent
The CTSC Master's Degree Program is comprised of a didactic curriculum of core and elective courses and a mentored clinical research project. During the first year, trainees work with their mentors to develop and refine their research project. In the second year and third year (if needed), trainees will utilize the skills acquired from the didactic curriculum to conduct their research project, at 75% time and effort (50% minimum for surgeons and other specific clinical specialties). Tuition for the Master's Degree program is awarded to trainees selected by the CTSC.
Research projects require a translational or clinical research focus. Projects with a focus on translational science are particularly encouraged. Emphasis is placed on the following priority areas: precision medicine, drug discovery, targeted therapeutics, biomarkers, device development, novel technologies, pediatric health, life course studies of diseases, studies incorporating biostatistical methodologies and design, and inclusion of dissemination and implementation strategies. Purely basic science research proposals will not be selected. Pre‐clinical studies should have near‐term potential to translate into patient‐oriented research.
What is Translational Science? Translational science is the field that generates innovations that overcome longstanding challenges along the translational research pipeline. These include scientific, operational, financial, and administrative innovations that transform the way that research is performed, making it faster, more efficient, and more impactful. Read more about the stages of translational science here.
Dissemination and Implementation science (D&I) is a crucial component of innovating and overcoming challenges in translational science. Accordingly, we are introducing D&I frameworks and methods into the MS Program review, placing D&I within the overarching discussions of the proposed research question, design, methodology, and potential impact(s) of the research findings. To learn more, please refer to the CTSC D&I Science Lecture Series.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Completion, within the last four years of human subjects’ protection training such as the Responsible Conduct of Research training course
- Completion of at least one CTSC mentoring workshop and active participation in monthly Research-in-Progress seminars.
- 75% time and effort (50% minimum effort for individuals in surgical specialties) devoted to performing and completing a mentored clinical & translational science research project during the training period
- Presentation of the mentored research project at a CTSC Research in Progress Luncheon
- 30 credits of didactic curriculum (22 Core and 8 Elective)
- Master’s Degree Thesis (Written Thesis and Oral Presentation)
- A clinical and translational science research grant submission (in revision or funded during the second year) to a federal institution (e.g. K awards, RO1, R21, or other NIH funding mechanisms, AHRQ, PCORI) or other foundation/industry research funding requiring peer-review with the scholar is named as Principal Investigator; or a first author scientific article (in press or in suitable format for submission) to a high-quality scientific journal
- A presentation of the mentored research project at a Research-in-Progress networking lunch
- A presentation of the mentored research project at a local, national, or international scientific conference
REVIEW CRITERIA
Upon submission to the online application module ePAR, your application will undergo review based on several Application Review Criteria.
APPLICATION PROCESS & TIMELINE
Applications are due by 5pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Candidates will be notified by June 2026 of their applications final disposition. At that time, if selected, the applicant will complete additional required enrollment, regulatory, and compliance documents within 30 days.
Questions? See CTEP FAQs, or email CTSC-Education@med.cornell.edu
The mission of the Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical Translational Science Center (WCM CTSC) is to rapidly advance translational science discovery with the ultimate goal of getting more treatments to all patients more quickly. To achieve this mission, the CTSC Education Program (CTEP) aims to educate and clinical and translational scientists who are prepared to advance translational science discovery to practice, public health, and public policy thereby improving health and enhancing the quality of life by reducing disability and death from disease. The WCM CTSC is committed to ensuring that the translational science workforce is broadly representative of the wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds of the US population.