National Association of Clinician Scientist Training
Upcoming Conference
2026 National Association of Clinician Scientist Training Conference
Adapting to Thrive: Physician-Scientist Training in a Shifting Landscape
2026 Program Focus Areas
NIH Priorities & Competitive T32 Strategy
With MSTP T32 peer review restructured under centralized CSR study sections, this session integrates an NIH/NIGMS update with practical guidance on crafting competitive applications and navigating evolving review criteria.
Postgraduate Physician-Scientist Training Pathways
Examining emerging models for non-traditional specialties, flexible research training phases, and the role of the R38 mechanism in supporting postgraduate transitions beyond traditional PSTP tracks.
MD/PhD Outcomes, Workforce Data & Admissions Strategy
National workforce trends, benchmarking tools for monitoring applicant pipelines, and data-driven admissions approaches for program sustainability in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Program Innovations & Best Practices
Lightning talks and structured peer-to-peer discussion where directors and administrators share what's working — from advising on specialty choice to sustaining program identity through leadership transitions.
Administrator Programming & Professional Development
Dedicated sessions covering new T32 compliance requirements, cross-institutional networking, and collaborative problem-solving around shared administrative challenges in physician-scientist training.
"You can't harvest the fruit unless you grow the trees."— NACST
About NACST
Who We Are
The National Association of Clinician Scientist Training (NACST) — formerly the National Association of MD-PhD Programs — is composed of MD-PhD and Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Directors and Administrators. The Association sponsors annual meetings of our membership and advocates for physician-scientist training nationally.
NACST works in partnership with the AAMC GREAT Group MD-PhD Section, sharing a joint leadership structure to maximize flexibility and impact.
Who Is a Physician-Scientist?
Physician-Scientists are physicians (MDs or DOs, with or without additional degrees such as PhD, MPH, MS, or DrPH) who devote regular components of their professional effort to both seeking new knowledge through research and providing patient care.
The pipeline for this workforce includes all MD and DO students — whether pursuing a combined advanced degree or not — and residents and fellows who discover an interest in combining research with their clinical career at any point in training.
NACST Initiatives
Increasing interaction with Research Residency and Fellowship Directors
Enhanced communication about physician-scientist careers and contributions
Optimizing leadership for longitudinal physician-scientist training
Highlighting the accomplishments of MD-PhD students and the role of federal funding in scientific training and discovery