We are not accepting BRIDGE applicants for 2025-2026.
About the BRIDGE Program
The BRIDGE Program educates, mentors, and supports a workforce made up of talented individuals from all backgrounds who are equipped to improve population health, access, and quality of care for all populations locally and globally.
BRIDGE is a program for graduate students and trainees interested in increasing health equity and reducing health disparities through advanced training or a career in population health sciences. The program aims to foster a community of trainees many different life experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all, regardless of background.
BRIDGE Provides Four Benefits:
Training
Attend the Duke Population Health Summer Institute (100% tuition scholarship) and take part in professional development courses that include:
- Scientific manuscript writing
- Systematic literature review
- Graduate and medical school applications
- Professional CV and resume development
- Elevator pitches and transition to introductory emails
Mentored Research
Participate in hands-on research activities with mentorship from top faculty and researchers. Faculty mentors provide:
- One-on-one training in a research internship or fellowship
- Support for preparing and submitting scientific publications and external grant funding
Professional Development
Grow your career in a supportive environment and learn critical skills for advancement, including:
- Job search strategies
- Networking and salary negotiation
- Interviewing skills
Transition Support
Get decision-making support that will help advance your career. These include:
- Continued graduate education
- Job placement
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have a record of superior academic achievement and meet one or more of the following criteria:
-
Demonstrate a sustained commitment to diversity through their work or volunteer experience or leadership of student or community organizations. A commitment to diversity may include efforts to improve access and quality of care for all populations
-
Experience financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances
- Have a diverse lived experience, such as one based on sexual orientation, rural residence, affiliation with an HBCU/MSI institution, veteran status, disability, etc.
- First-generation U.S. citizen or are the first generation in their family to graduate from a four-year college or university
- Available to meet with mentors and attend program-related activities sometime during business hours (Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Application Deadline
Currently, we are not accepting applications to the program. Please check back in September 2025
Program Directors
Program Director
- Asheley Skinner, PhD, Vice Chair, Education
Program Co-Directors
- Hayden Bosworth, Ph.D.: Vice-Chair, Research
- Tomi Akinyemiju, Ph.D.: Professor
- Suur Debrah Ayangeakaa, Ph.D: Assistant Professor
BRIDGE Scholars Frequently Asked Questions
For the time being, the program is conducted remotely.
The BRIDGE Program is open to both undergraduate and master's applicants.
Individual mentors may provide funds, but this is dependent on available resources the mentor may have.
That is the goal, but this depends on what is determined between the scholar and the mentor.
No.
We have not included PhD students in the past, but students at all levels are encouraged to apply.
Scholars participating in the Duke BRIDGE Program must be available to meet with mentors and attend program-related activities sometime during business hours (Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). This availability is essential to ensure full engagement with the program’s educational and mentoring opportunities, fostering a comprehensive learning experience.