Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

About Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard represents one of the most ambitious experiments in collaborative biomedical science, founded in 2004 with a transformative $100 million gift from Eli and Edythe Broad. This unique research institution bridges two of the world's greatest universities, bringing together biologists, chemists, physicians, mathematicians, computational scientists, and engineers to tackle the most challenging problems in human disease. The Institute has established itself as a global leader in genomic medicine, pioneering large-scale approaches to understanding human disease at the molecular level. Its researchers were central to the Human Genome Project and continue to lead major initiatives mapping genetic variation across human populations. The Broad's contributions to the development of CRISPR gene editing technology, particularly through the work of Institute member Feng Zhang, have revolutionized biomedical research worldwide. Distinguished scientists associated with the Broad include Eric Lander, the founding director who served as co-leader of the Human Genome Project and later as Science Advisor to President Biden. David Altshuler, founding chief academic officer, has led groundbreaking research in diabetes genetics. Aviv Regev, formerly core institute member, has revolutionized single-cell biology. These leaders represent just a fraction of the approximately 3,000 scientists and staff working across the Broad's research programs. The culture at the Broad emphasizes collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries and open sharing of research data and tools. The Institute has developed numerous computational platforms and databases freely available to researchers worldwide, embodying a philosophy that accelerating discovery requires breaking down barriers to information access. Located in Cambridge's Kendall Square, the Institute occupies a central position in one of the world's most concentrated biotechnology ecosystems, surrounded by pharmaceutical giants and startup ventures alike.

Admission to research positions at the Broad Institute occurs through the graduate programs of MIT and Harvard rather than through the Institute directly. Prospective students must first gain admission to relevant doctoral programs at either university, then arrange to conduct thesis research with Broad-affiliated faculty. At MIT, programs placing students at the Broad include Biology, Biological Engineering, Computational and Systems Biology, and Health Sciences and Technology. Harvard pathways include Systems Biology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics, and the MD-PhD program. Each program maintains its own admission requirements and procedures. Competition for admission to these programs is extremely intense. MIT Biology accepts approximately 25 students from over 800 applicants annually. Harvard's BBS umbrella program admits around 130 students across multiple tracks from thousands of applications. Successful applicants typically hold undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering with exceptional academic records and meaningful research experience. Application requirements generally include transcripts, GRE scores (though requirements have relaxed at many programs), three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and research experience descriptions. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS. Most programs have December or early January deadlines for fall enrollment. To strengthen applications for Broad-relevant research, applicants should demonstrate both computational and experimental skills. The Institute's work increasingly requires scientists comfortable with programming, statistical analysis, and large-scale data interpretation alongside traditional laboratory techniques. Prior research experience in genomics, computational biology, or related fields provides significant advantages. Prospective applicants should identify specific faculty at the Broad whose research aligns with their interests and mention these connections in application materials. Many programs conduct interviews in person or virtually, where enthusiasm for specific research directions and evidence of scientific thinking matter more than rehearsed responses.

The Broad Institute does not confer degrees independently but serves as a research institution where faculty, scientists, and trainees maintain primary appointments at MIT, Harvard, and affiliated hospitals. This structure enables graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to access the Institute's extraordinary resources while earning credentials from their home institutions. Graduate students typically enroll in programs at MIT's departments of Biology, Biological Engineering, or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, or in Harvard's systems biology, genetics, or bioinformatics programs. The Institute hosts approximately 200 graduate students at any given time, working in laboratories of Broad-affiliated faculty on projects ranging from cancer genomics to infectious disease to psychiatric genetics. Research at the Broad is organized around several core scientific programs. The Cancer Program applies genomic approaches to understand tumor biology and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities. The Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program studies pathogens and host-microbe interactions. The Cardiovascular Disease Initiative investigates the genetic basis of heart disease. The Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science program develops new molecular tools and drug candidates. The Data Sciences Platform provides computational infrastructure supporting research across all programs. The educational philosophy emphasizes immersive research experience combined with exposure to the full spectrum of modern biomedical science. Weekly seminars bring in leading scientists from around the world, while internal meetings encourage cross-pollination between research groups. Graduate students participate in summer programs, bootcamps in computational biology, and workshops on emerging technologies. The Institute's technology platforms provide hands-on training in methods unavailable at most academic institutions. Students gain experience with high-throughput sequencing, single-cell analysis, CRISPR screening, proteomics, and computational approaches to analyzing massive datasets. This training produces scientists capable of operating at the intersection of laboratory experimentation and computational analysis, a skill set increasingly essential in modern biology.

Student Life & Environment

Life at the Broad Institute reflects its nature as a research-focused organization rather than a traditional academic department. Trainees experience an intensive research environment where the boundaries between student and professional scientist blur, with graduate students often leading projects that would be postdoctoral work elsewhere. The Institute's main building at 415 Main Street in Kendall Square provides open-plan laboratory space designed to encourage interaction across research groups. Graduate students typically have desk space both in their primary laboratory and in shared computational areas. The building features numerous informal meeting spaces, a popular cafeteria, and facilities designed to foster impromptu collaboration. Housing is arranged through students' home institutions at MIT or Harvard, meaning Broad-affiliated students live in the same residential environments as their degree-granting program peers. The Kendall Square location provides easy access via the MBTA Red Line to both campuses and to student housing areas throughout Cambridge and Somerville. Social life centers around laboratory groups and cohorts of students who joined in the same year. The Institute hosts happy hours, holiday parties, and scientific retreats that bring together researchers across programs. Numerous informal traditions have emerged, including celebrations when papers are published and group activities during computational competitions. The intensity of Broad research can create work-life balance challenges that students must actively manage. Experiments in genomics and molecular biology often require long hours and weekend work, particularly when preparing samples for sequencing runs or conducting time-sensitive cell culture work. The Institute provides access to wellness resources through both MIT and Harvard, and laboratory leadership increasingly emphasizes sustainable work practices. Diversity in biomedical research remains an ongoing challenge that the Broad addresses through targeted recruitment and support programs. The SRPG (Summer Research Program in Genomics) brings undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to the Institute for summer research experiences, building a pipeline of diverse talent for graduate programs.

Location & Surroundings

The Broad Institute occupies a prime position in Kendall Square, Cambridge, widely regarded as the world's most innovative square mile and the epicenter of the global biotechnology industry. This concentration of pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and research institutions creates an environment unlike any other for biomedical trainees. The neighborhood surrounding the Institute hosts offices and laboratories of Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Moderna alongside hundreds of smaller biotechnology ventures. Tech giants Google, Microsoft, and Amazon also maintain significant Cambridge presences. This ecosystem means research presented at Broad seminars may be funding opportunities, collaboration partners, or potential employers for trainees, all within walking distance. Transportation from the Broad is straightforward despite the urban setting. The Kendall/MIT T station on the MBTA Red Line sits directly adjacent to the building, providing access to Harvard Square in minutes and to Boston in under fifteen. Most trainees find Cambridge quite bikeable, though New England winters from December through March involve significant cold and occasional heavy snow. The cost of living in Cambridge ranks among the highest in the United States, with one-bedroom apartments typically starting above $2,500 monthly. Many graduate students share apartments or live in university-subsidized housing when available. Stipends at MIT and Harvard have increased substantially in recent years but housing costs remain challenging for trainees on fixed incomes. The immediate area offers numerous restaurants, cafes, and amenities serving the Kendall Square workforce. The Charles River Esplanade provides running and biking paths just blocks away. Boston across the river offers museums, professional sports, historic sites, and diverse cultural offerings. The concentration of young professionals and students creates an active social scene in both Cambridge and Boston, with numerous bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Graduate training costs at the Broad Institute are covered through the financial support structures of MIT and Harvard. Both universities provide full tuition coverage, health insurance, and competitive stipends to doctoral students in relevant programs. Current stipends range from $45,000 to $50,000 annually, reflecting recent increases in response to living cost pressures. Postdoctoral fellows at the Broad receive competitive salaries aligned with NIH pay scales or above, typically starting around $60,000 and increasing with experience. The Institute supplements positions with funding for conference travel, research supplies, and professional development activities. Health benefits and retirement contributions round out compensation packages. Career outcomes for Broad trainees reflect the Institute's position at the forefront of biomedical research. Graduates pursue diverse paths including faculty positions at research universities, industry scientist roles at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, leadership positions at government research agencies, and entrepreneurial ventures launching new biotechnology startups. The concentration of biotechnology companies in Kendall Square creates exceptional opportunities for transitions between academia and industry. Many trainees complete internships or consulting arrangements with nearby companies during their studies, building networks that facilitate career transitions. The Institute's alumni have founded or led numerous successful biotechnology ventures, including companies advancing gene therapy, drug discovery, and diagnostic technologies. For those pursuing academic careers, Broad training provides credentials recognized globally as evidence of rigorous preparation in modern genomics and computational biology. Faculty positions remain highly competitive, but Broad trainees regularly secure tenure-track positions at major research universities. The career development office at the Broad provides programming specifically designed for trainees considering non-academic careers, including workshops on consulting, industry research, science communication, and entrepreneurship. Networking events bring alumni back to campus to discuss their career paths and provide mentorship to current trainees. The combination of elite training, extensive network, and location in a thriving biotechnology ecosystem positions Broad trainees extraordinarily well for impactful careers in science.