We encourage applications from students with strong undergraduate backgrounds in biology, statistics, mathematics, physics, and/or computer science. We look for students who have excelled in science coursework as undergraduates and/or who have performed at a high level in independent study, research, or work. We admit young scientists of great promise and teach them to be excellent researchers and life-long learners.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
Applicants should submit an electronic application and all supporting materials through the Duke Graduate School. Do not send application materials or supporting documents directly to the CBB program.
Domestic applicants should continue to use The Graduate School policy for fee waivers.
International applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver. These waivers are limited, and requests will be considered until October 31, 2025. If you are granted a departmental fee waiver, you will enter that single-use code on the “Fee Waiver” page of the application.
International applicants requesting a fee waiver should include the following information:
- A clear statement of need (socioeconomic, living in zone of violent conflict, or explicit personal hardship). Widespread socioeconomic need is indicated in countries with an IHDI value of less than 0.5 on the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index.
- Current CV
- Transcript(s)
- Personal statement
- Completed application
Please note that all submitted materials for admissions purposes are subject to verification. Requests should be sent to: monica.franklin@duke.edu
The CBB admissions committee uses a holistic rubric to review applications, which includes your previous academic performance in relevant areas of statistics, computer science, and biology; your personal statement; previous research experience; and recommendation letters.
FINANCIAL AID
All CBB students are guaranteed at least five years of funding that includes tuition, fees and a generous stipend. The uniform stipend for academic year 2025-2026 is $42,500. The CBB Graduate Program provides support for students admitted directly into the program for the first year of doctoral study. Beginning September 1 of the second year in residence, the faculty advisor will become responsible for the student's stipend and fees for the duration of the student's dissertation work. Many CBB students are also awarded competitive national and international graduate fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the PhRMA Informatics Pre-doctoral Awards, the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award and more.