VTSI First Cohort Group Photo

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) will endow and launch a major new effort to address historic underrepresentation in STEM. The $150 million initiative, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will provide permanent funding to add a sustained cohort of approximately 100 new slots for diverse PhD students in JHU’s more than 30 STEM programs. As PhD students at Johns Hopkins, Vivien Thomas scholars will receive the academic and financial support needed to ensure their success, including up to six years of full tuition support, a stipend, health insurance and other benefits, along with significant mentorship, research, professional development and community-building opportunities.

Through the initiative, Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg Philanthropies will also establish and strengthen pathways for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to pursue and receive PhDs in STEM fields. JHU will create new and expanded research-intensive summer undergraduate and post-baccalaureate program experiences for students from HBCU and MSI institutions, and provide direct funding for expanded programming at an initial cohort of 6 Inaugural Partner HBCUs and MSIs to attract and prepare students for STEM graduate training and STEM careers.

Click here if you would like to learn more. The application deadline for the 2023 cohort is December 1.