MD-PhD-Program

Together with the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and with the assistance of private foundations, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) awards MD-PhD scholarships to medical doctors who are interested in research. In collaboration with the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), in the year 2006 the programme was extended to include the scientific fields that are especially relevant for public health, such as epidemiology, biostatistics and health ecology. Since 2008 a PhD can also be accomplished in the field of biomedical ethics.

The precondition for an MD-PhD scholarship is a successfully completed study in human medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry and a guaranteed doctoral-candidate place at the time of the start of payment of the contribution. Only students with a degree from a Swiss University or foreigners who worked for at least 2 years in Switzerland are eligible for the fellowship. The criteria for selection are successful test results, scientific commitment, the planned research project and an interview.

An initial selection of candidates is made by the local MD-PhD Commissions. The Committee of Experts, which is made up of representatives of the SAMS, the SNSF and the Association of Foundations, makes the final decision.

The annual contributions, amounting to CHF 60,000.-, can be granted for a maximum of 3 years. Depending on the extent of the participation of the members of the Association of Foundations, between 9 and 13 scholarships may be awarded per year.

The deadline for submission to the local committees is always 15 December; the granting of contributions begins the following autumn.

Relevant documents:
Reglement PDF (only available in german and french)
Standards PDF (only available in german and french)
Minimal Standards for Supervision of MD-PhD-Students PDF

Swiss national MD-PhD program: an outcome analysis. SMW 2009 PDF (157 KB)

For further questions please contact Dr Katrin Crameri, Head Science and Research, General Secretariat of the SAMS, Petersplatz 13, 4051 Basel, tel: 0041 61 269 90 30.