Overview: Why Choose the HRI T32 Health-Integrated Technologies program for your PhD?
The NIH T32 Predoctoral Training Program in Health-Integrated Technologies at Michigan Technological University offers a truly transdisciplinary experience by integrating 14 departments across engineering, computing, and the life sciences. Unlike traditional programs centered within a single department, our structure breaks down academic barriers so trainees learn to solve complex problems with a holistic perspective from day one. As an R1 technological university located in the rural Midwest, Michigan Tech prioritizes creating and engineering novel solutions that directly address real-world community health needs. Trainees join a supportive, close-knit cohort that combines personalized mentorship with direct, hands-on access to world-class facilities, including the H-STEM Complex and advanced electron microscopy within ACMAL, giving graduates a distinct competitive advantage in their careers.
Info for Students
The HRI T32 program provides full financial support and specialized training designed to launch high-impact careers in health technology innovation.
Funding & Financial Support
- Full PhD support: Covers stipend and tuition for up to two years of T32 fellowship support, with continued funding provided by your research advisor. You can view the current stipend levels for MTU here.
- Health Insurance: You will be covered by the university’s medical insurance plan. Vision and dental plans are available as supplemental options at your own expense.
- Travel and Training Allowance: An allowance for training expenses will be provided, which can be used for travel to scientific conferences or professional development workshops.
Program Requirements & Opportunities
Integrated Health Research Graduate Certificate
In addition to the degree requirements of their primary doctoral programs, all T32 trainees must complete the 10-credit Graduate Certificate in Integrated Health Research. The curriculum complements your PhD coursework and focuses on developing essential research and professional skills.
Requirements (10 credits)
- Advance Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) (1-2 credits): Fulfill the NIH requirement for advanced RCR training by selecting from a list of pre-approved courses covering topics in research ethics, rigor, and reproducibility.
- Applied Statistical Methods (3 credits): Establish a strong foundation in experimental design and data analysis through a graduate-level statistics course.
- Grant Writing Capstone (2 credits): Learn how to conceptualize and draft a grant proposal suitable for an NIH F31 submission.
- Special Topics Seminar with your research advisor (3-4 credits): Plan, conduct, analyze, and present a research project.
T32 Career Enrichment Activities
Beyond formal coursework, all T32 trainees must participate in a variety of career enrichment activities. Through a combination of academic sessions, cohort-building activities, and outdoor experiences in the Keweenaw Peninsula, trainees gain the foundation needed to navigate graduate school and build supportive professional and social networks.
- Annual Summer Bootcamp: A three-day, hands-on workshop on a topic chosen by the trainees. As an example, the Summer 2026 Bootcamp topic was Bioinformatics.
- Monthly Luncheon Program: Trainee-organized meetings focused on professional development topics for the broader HRI graduate student community.
- Built-in Mentorship: Each trainee will have at least two mentors in addition to their research advisor. One programmatic mentor that will offer a biannual check-in with trainees that will confirm that the trainee is making progress toward their degree. One peer mentor that will provide direct advice on navigating graduate school and resources for their PhD program, along with the T32. Learn more by visiting the T32 Peer Mentoring Program.
Info for MTU Faculty
Active T32 Preceptors are expected to:
- Provide High-Quality Mentorship: Guide trainees in research design, execution, scientific rigor, and reproducibility.
- Support Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Engage in co-mentorship models or join project opportunities across departmental boundaries.
- Participate in Program Governance & Events: Serve on application review committees, attend T32 research seminars, support T32 career enrichment activities, and participate in preceptor meetings.
- Maintain Active External Funding: Hold active research support to ensure student research project continuity following their T32 funding window.
- Foster Responsible Conduct in Research: Actively reinforce ethical research standards and rigor within the laboratory environment
A note on T32 Student Selection & Allocation:
To maintain a vibrant training program, faculty engagement with T32 program activities will be a key metric considered during the trainee selection process.
Interested in becoming a T32 Preceptor? Please email HRI at hri@mtu.edu.