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PhD Program Academic Calendar

2025-26 Academic Calendar

Our course work and rotation schedule allows predoctoral researchers to begin full-time research in their laboratory of choice, with no other course commitments, within one year of starting.

First-Year Predoctoral Researchers

Aug. 11-26, 2025Orientation and pre-course(s)

Aug. 27–29 and Sept. 2-10, 2025

Module I: Genetics
Sept. 11-12, 2025Stowers Institute's Crossroads Research Conference
Sept. 15-26, 2025Module II (Gene Expression: Transcription to Translation)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 10, 2025Module III (Genomic and Computational Approaches…)
Oct. 14-24, 2025Module IV (Cell Biology)
Oct. 27 – Nov. 7, 2025Module V (Cell Dynamics, Stem Cells, Developmental Bio)
Nov. 24-28, 2025Module VI (Neuroscience)
Dec. 1-12, 2025Thanksgiving holiday
Dec. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025Module VII (Evolution and Model Systems)

Jan. 5 – Feb. 27, 2025

Winter break

March. 2 – Apr. 24, 2026

Laboratory Rotation I

Apr. 19, 2026 – June 18, 2026

Laboratory Rotation II

Apr. 22 – June 14, 2026

Laboratory Rotation III
Jan. 5 – June 18, 2026Scientific Communication

June 22, 2026

Thesis Laboratory research begins

Second- and Subsequent-Year Predoctoral Researchers

Aug. 18 – Dec. 31, 2025Fall term (20 weeks)
Jan. 2 – June 18, 2026Spring term (24 weeks)
June 22 – Aug. 14, 2026Summer term (8 weeks)
Aug. 17 – Dec. 18, 2026Scientific Communication (Part II)
Graduation CeremonyMay 11, 2026

Stowers Holidays

Sept. 1, 2025 Labor Day
Oct. 13, 2025

Indigenous Peoples’

and Columbus Day

Nov. 11, 2025Veterans Day
Nov. 27-28, 2025Thanksgiving
Dec. 24-31, 2025Holiday Break
Jan. 1, 2026New Year’s Day
Jan. 19, 2026Martin Luther King Day
Feb. 16, 2026Presidents Day
May 25, 2026Memorial Day
June 19, 2026Juneteenth
July 3, 2026Independence Day

How to apply to the PhD Program

Admissions

Ph.D. Program Resources

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Ph.D. Program Benefits

The Graduate School is committed to giving each predoctoral researcher the best research experience in an unrivaled research environment which is enhanced by outstanding benefits.

Ph.D. Benefits

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Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ answers common questions from prospective Ph.D. program applicants from academic topics to technical assistance.

Admissions FAQs

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Retention & Placement Data

The Graduate School tracks retention, persistence, completion, and placement outcomes.

Retention & Placement

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Catalog & Handbook

The Catalog & Handbook provides important program and course information.

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Policies & Protocols

Program participants, faculty, and staff comply with the policies and protocols of the Graduate School.

Policies & Protocols

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