About This Opportunity
The MIT Inclusive Pathways to the PhD Partnership Opportunity supports collaborative initiatives between MIT and partner institutions that provide intensive research preparatory opportunities, strengthening bi-directional relationships and promoting equitable access to graduate education. We are grounded in the belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not distributed equally. We are committed to removing barriers and providing intentional support so that students thrive with access to authentic pathways to opportunity.
- Programming Period: Fall 2026 Academic Year
- Award Amount: $1,000 per selected proposal
- Applications Due: Monday, June 1st
- Awardees Announced: Friday, June 19th
Partners
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Office of Graduate Education, GradDiversity
Purpose
To encourage select Institutions with intensive graduate preparatory programs partners to:
- Develop and implement activities that expose students to graduate school pathways.
- Foster reciprocal engagement between partner institution faculty/staff and MIT.
- Create opportunities for shared learning, mentorship, and research preparation.
Eligibility
- Institutions with an existing or emerging partnership with MIT (Pathways to the PhD Partners.).
- Faculty, staff, or administrators at Pathways Institutions who are actively engaged in student development and graduate school preparation.
Qualifying Activities
Awards may be used to support a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:
1. Graduate School Preparation Programming
- Application strategy sessions, GRE preparation, and funding navigation.
- Co-hosted events with MIT graduate students or staff.
2. Faculty Exchange or Collaborative Planning
- Travel or virtual meetings for MSI and MIT faculty/staff to co-design programming.
- Joint curriculum development or mentoring frameworks.
- Co-developed webinars or online modules on graduate school readiness. Topics may include research ethics, writing personal statements, or navigating imposter syndrome.
3. Student Engagement Events
- Graduate school panels, fairs, or mixers featuring MSI alumni in PhD programs.
- Hosting MIT student ambassadors for campus visits or virtual meetups.
- Events that feature MSI alumni currently in graduate school or academia.
- Alumni-led Q&A sessions or storytelling events to inspire current students.
- Events that connect MSI students with MIT affinity groups or mentors.
- Culturally responsive programming that affirms students’ identities.
4. Research Exposure Activities
- Joint poster sessions or research showcases with MIT.
- Workshops or bootcamps to prepare MSI students for summer research experiences.
- Sessions on lab culture, research communication, and expectations.
5. Peer Mentorship Initiatives
- Launching peer mentorship programs between MSI undergraduates and MIT graduate students.
- Training sessions for peer mentors on graduate school advising.
6. Institutional Capacity Building
- Development of graduate school resource hubs or advising guides at MSIs.
- Small-scale data collection or needs assessments to inform future programming.
Funding Amount
Each selected proposal will receive $1,000 in unrestricted support for the proposed activity.
Application Process
Applicants must submit a brief proposal including:
- Activity description and target participants
- Measurable learning objectives
- How the activity strengthens partnership with MIT
- Budget and timeline ($1,000)
- Statement of commitment to bi-directional engagement
- Selected grantees will submit a 1-page outcomes summary within 30 days of completing their activity.
Reporting
Partners will be asked to submit a short summary (1 page) of outcomes and reflections within 30 days of completing the activity.
Contact
Contact our team at graddiversity@mit.edu.
