Computational Biology Faculty Research Awards
Master of Science students are admitted with the expectation of self-funding. However, Bioinformatics offers GRA positions on a competitive basis after one semester of full-time study. Students are eligible for up to two full semesters (spring and fall) of GRA funding. The first time that fall 2026 incoming students will be eligible for GRA’s is spring 2027 semester. Students with significant outside funding (i.e., Fellowship) are not eligible for the GRA.
The most important step to become eligible for GRA’s is to secure “research for academic credit” in the fall semester. In June and July, the Academic Program Manager will contact all Bionformatics faculty to identify those who wish to accept MS Bioinformatics students. Incoming students will receive a list weekly of the labs accepting new students to conduct research for academic credit. You can begin contacting professors of interest early by email if you wish, or you can meet with various labs at our MSBINF orientation and poster session in August. You will interview with the labs in August, and you must register with your lab of choice before close of fall registration (first Friday after start of classes, by 4:00pm).
In November, we will send a “call for GRA proposals.” MS Bioinformatics students enrolled full-time in good academic standing, with at least one semester of research completed/in-progress are eligible to apply. Students need to submit a 3-page research proposal, a CV/resume, and a recommendation letter from your research advisor. Historically, well over half of the applicants have been selected for GRA’s. You need to apply each semester and funding is awarded competitively.
Approximate GRA application deadlines:
+ November 1 for spring semester
+ April 1 for summer semester
+ July 1 for fall semester
Resources:
Computational Biology Faculty Research Awards: https://bioinformatics.gatech.edu/gra-projects
Bioinformatics Faculty: https://bioinformatics.gatech.edu/bioinformatics-faculty
Areas of Specialization: https://bioinformatics.gatech.edu/area-of-specialization
Please note that GTA (teaching assistantship) positions in the School of Biological Sciences are generally reserved for PhD students. We have been notified that no GTA positions are expected for MS students for the forseeable future. GTA assignments are handled by a faculty committee, and not selected by the course instructors.