The Rockefeller University

Step into the world of groundbreaking discovery at The Rockefeller University, a unique, private graduate-only institution nestled in the heart of New York City. As the oldest biomedical research institute in the United States, Rockefeller has been at the forefront of biological and medical sciences, significantly elevating the prestige of American scientific inquiry and making an indelible mark on global health.

Founded in 1901 by John D. Rockefeller upon the advice of his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr., the institution was initially known as The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. Inspired by pioneering European centers like France's Pasteur Institute, it quickly established itself as a beacon of scientific excellence. Over the decades, it evolved, broadening its mission to include doctoral education and officially becoming The Rockefeller University in 1965, a testament to its deep commitment to advanced learning and innovation.

Academically, Rockefeller is classified as a "Special Focus – Research Institution," emphasizing its singular dedication to scientific exploration. Its faculty boasts an unparalleled record of achievement, including numerous members of the National Academy of Sciences and Medicine, Lasker Award recipients, and an astounding 26 Nobel laureates affiliated with the university. Students here engage directly with leading minds, contributing to cutting-edge basic, applied, and clinical research that has led to discoveries such as demonstrating that genes are made of DNA and establishing virology as an independent field.

For prospective graduate students, Rockefeller offers an immersive and rigorous research environment dedicated to the motto "Scientia pro bono humani generis" — Science for the benefit of humanity. With a robust endowment of $2.42 billion and a focus on doctoral and postdoctoral education, it provides an unparalleled platform for those aspiring to make transformative contributions to the biological and medical sciences.