Q:  Is the VGS program available at all three Mayo campuses?
A: Yes, the VGS is offered on all three campuses. Learn more about the Mayo Clinic campuses and communities.

Q: How long are VGS appointments?
A: Ph.D. or master’s degree student appointments are for a minimum of six months up to five years. VGS appointments for less than six months or over five years are an exception to policy and require Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Academic Affairs Committee approval. International student appointments cannot exceed five years due to visa restrictions. 

Q: Can a VGS appointment be extended?
A: If for any reason a student is unable to complete the degree requirements within the designated VGS appointment, an extension may be requested by the Mayo sponsor. International student extensions are contingent on visa requirements. Requests must include a summary of the student's performance, what has been completed towards their degree requirements, and what remains to be completed that requires the extension. Requests require approval by the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Academic Affairs Committee.

Q: Are VGS considered a Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences student?
A: No, students are not appointed into the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. or master's degree programs. They remain an enrolled student at their home university where their degree is conferred.

Q: Does the VGS receive benefits?
A: No. However, international students must provide proof of funding that at least matches a traditional Mayo Clinic Ph.D. student stipend at the current rate. International students must be supported by one of the following:

• External scholarship at least equal to the current Mayo Clinic graduate student stipend.
• Funding from Mayo sponsor at least equal to the current Mayo Clinic graduate student stipend. International VGS cannot be supported by federal grants.
• External scholarship supplemented by funding from Mayo sponsor at least equal to current Mayo graduate student stipend.
• Documented personal funding may be included.

Q: Is medical insurance available?
A: No. However, proof of medical insurance is required for international and U.S. students.  Resources will be provided for assistance in obtaining appropriate medical insurance.

Q: Is housing available?
A: There are no on-site housing/dorms. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange housing.

Q: Do VGS have Mayo Clinic parking privileges?
A: Yes. VGS students have parking privileges similar to Mayo Clinic Ph.D. students.

Q: Who qualifies as a VGS?
A: International or U.S. graduate student pursuing a predoctoral (Ph.D.) or master’s degree at another academic institution in biomedical research, has completed all core coursework (encouraged), and is in the research phase of their training.

Q: Can a student enrolled in a Ph.D. or master’s degree program at another institution be appointed to a different role at Mayo Clinic besides the VGS?
A: If the student is coming to Mayo Clinic to complete research while enrolled in a Ph.D. or M.S. degree program at another institution, the VGS appointment must be used. If the experience is being requested for employment vs. meeting training requirements, another appointment type within human resources may be possible. 

Q: Can the VGS appointment be used when a newly hired Mayo Clinic investigator wishes to bring students with them from their prior institution?
A: If the students remain enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program at the new Mayo hire’s prior institution, they would be eligible for the VGS appointment. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences policy does not allow transfer students into our master’s and Ph.D. degree programs. 

Q: How long does the process take to appoint a VGS?
A: A minimum of two months' notice is required to process a U.S. student appointment, and four months' notice to process an international student appointment.

Q: How does a VGS candidate get the process started?
A: The VGS should identify labs of interest and reach out directly to a Mayo sponsor or investigator to express their interest in their research and the VGS opportunity.

Q: What type of visa is required for an international student?
A: International VGS are sponsored by Mayo Clinic in the J-1 Research Scholar category which allows a maximum of five years. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers assistance in obtaining the DS2019/visa. Students and Mayo sponsors should be aware that departing the U.S. (completion of program) will bar them from returning in the same research scholar visa category (including as a postdoctoral fellow) for two years. Transfer to a postdoctoral fellow without a break in between will be possible, but time in both categories will count toward the five-year maximum.

Q: Who does the onboarding process for VGS?
A: The application and onboarding process is managed by the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Visitor Office. Information is emailed to the student prior to the start date with information including, but not limited to, the following:

• Onboarding requirements, e.g., background check, immunizations, etc.
• Parking on day one and thereafter
• Getting an ID badge (where to get photo taken and when to pick up)
• Instructions given to connect with Mayo sponsor

Q: Who can sponsor a VGS?
A: A Mayo Clinic faculty member who has or is eligible to obtain Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences graduate faculty privileges and has the capacity to host and mentor a VGS. They may already be a member of the student’s thesis advisory committee or in a comparable role.