How to Apply

Welcome future graduate students!

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Biology at Indiana University! Whether you are exploring our programs or working on your application, our Graduate Services office is here to help.

The Department of Biology is home to Ph.D. programs in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior (EEB); Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology (GCDB); and Microbiology (Micro). We also offer a master’s program in Biotechnology (Biotech).

Contact information

For general inquiries, contact the Graduate Services Office:

Email: gradbio@iu.edu     Phone: +1 812-856-7245

For program specific inquiries, you may contact our Program Directors:

  • Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Graduate Program (EEB)
    Rich Phillips
  • Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program (GCDB)
    Orie Shafer
  • Microbiology Graduate Program (Micro)
    Jake McKinlay
  • Biotechnology Graduate Program (Biotech)
    Dave Bollivar

For inquiries about specific research programs, contact faculty directly:

EEB Faculty     GCDB Faculty     Micro Faculty      Biotech Faculty

General admissions timeline

September 1

Applications Open for Fall 2026 Admission

October 17

Ph.D. Virtual Admissions Information Session - Register Online

November 10

Ph.D. Virtual Admissions Information Session - Register Online

December 1

Ph.D. Application Deadline for Domestic and International Students

January

International Ph.D. Applicant Interviews, virtual by invitation

January 12

Biotechnology M.S. Virtual Admissions Information Session - Register Online

February 6-8

Ph.D. Graduate Recruitment Weekend, in-person by invitation

February – March

Ph.D. Decision Letters Sent

March 2

Biotechnology M.S. Deadline for International Applicants

April 15

Ph.D. Decision Deadline to Accept Offer of Admission

June 15

Biotechnology M.S. Deadline for Domestic Applicants

Incoming Fall 2025 Graduate Student Cohort and Program Directors. Image Credit: Sam Allen