FastTrack, a strategy to shorten time to degree

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Doctoral training
• Workforce sustainability

Background:

• The sustainability of the biomedical research enterprise is under scrutiny.
• Key concerns include funding, regulatory burdens, and training the next generation.
• The duration of doctoral training periods is a specific area of concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the issue of time-to-degree (TTD) for doctoral candidates.
• To identify factors influencing TTD in biomedical research.
• To propose a strategy for reducing TTD.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of factors potentially affecting time-to-degree.
• Proposal of a mechanism to harmonize undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Analysis of existing reports on TTD and workforce sustainability.

Main Results:

• Identified factors contributing to extended time-to-degree.
• Proposed a novel approach to streamline doctoral training pathways.
• Highlighted the need for actionable recommendations beyond identifying the problem.

Conclusions:

• Shortening time-to-degree is crucial for the biomedical research enterprise.
• Harmonizing undergraduate and graduate programs offers a viable strategy for TTD reduction.
• Addressing TTD is essential for training the next generation of biomedical scientists.