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National Research Service Awards and Related Awards

Fellowship award mechanisms are available to individuals at various stages of their education and scientific career who desire further research training in hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Opportunities are also available to institutions wishing to offer research traineeships to predoctoral and/or postdoctoral individuals.

For information on individual NIDCD National Research Service Award (NRSA) fellowships, including application forms and detailed instructions, see the NIDCD Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions. The NIH Office of Extramural Research also hosts a page on NIH Research Training and Career Development Programs.

For an introduction to predoctoral fellowships, watch Fellowships Webinar: National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Fellowship Programs (video).

Extramural fellowship (F program) applicants should email Jaclyn Schurman, Au.D., Ph.D., Extramural Research Training Officer for Fellowship Programs, with any questions. You are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Schurman before preparing an application. Include a biosketch in NIH format; a brief description of the project, including the aims (1 page), the population to be studied (as applicable), and the name of your mentor(s); and a statement on how the proposed project fits our strategic plan and our research areas and contributes to our mission. You will be informed if the project fits NIDCD requirements and will be accepted through the funding application process.

Extramural applicants for all other programs (R25, T, and K programs; NIH Loan Repayment Program; training-related administrative supplements) should email Alberto Rivera-Rentas, Ph.D., Extramural Research Training Officer, with any questions. You are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Rivera-Rentas before preparing an application. Include a brief description of the project, including the aims (1 page) and a statement on how the proposed project fits our strategic plan and research areas and contributes to our mission. You will be informed if the project fits NIDCD requirements and will be accepted through the funding application process.

Our NIDCD Fellowships: Frequently Asked Questions page provides more information about fellowships and clinical trials.

The following NIDCD research training grants are described below:

For specific guidelines applicable to the fellowship programs above, see the following:

F30 Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)

The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. NRSA fellowships support the training of pre- and postdoctoral scientists, dual-degree investigators, and senior researchers. More information about NRSA programs may be found at the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) website.

This funding opportunity will support students at institutions without NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. In a companion funding opportunity (PA-21-049), the NIH is also seeking F30 applications from students at institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs; the NIDCD, as of September 2016, is also participating in this second funding opportunity.

There is a critical need for physician-scientists and other clinician-scientists to investigate human health and disease through rigorous research. The complexity of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical science poses a challenge in the integration of research training into the standard course of study at most medical schools and other health professional schools. To address this challenge, a variety of programs have been developed to combine training for the M.D. or other health professional degrees (e.g., Au.D.) with extensive research experience leading to a second, advanced degree. It is expected that individuals who are both physicians/clinicians and highly trained scientists will play a vital role in advancing knowledge across the full spectrum of health-related research.

The purpose of the Kirschstein-NRSA Individual Predoctoral M.D./Ph.D. or Other Dual-Doctoral Degree Fellowship (F30) is to support highly promising predoctoral students who are matriculated in a combined M.D./Ph.D. or other dual-doctoral degree training program (e.g., Au.D./Ph.D.) during their mentored dissertation research training and clinical training under the guidance of outstanding faculty sponsors. This program thus contributes to efforts to increase the pool of highly trained physician/clinician-scientists in the biomedical research workforce.

The NIDCD invites applications for this funding opportunity. This initiative is designed to increase the number of clinician-scientists trained to conduct basic, translational, and clinical research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.

The NIDCD’s Scientific Review Branch conducts the initial peer review of applications for this fellowship program, based on an expedited schedule of four to five months from submission to award. Consultation with the NIDCD research training officer is strongly encouraged during the early stages of preparing an application; see the funding opportunity for contact information.

Eligibility and Requirements. Eligibility is limited to institutions without NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. See the funding opportunity for additional eligibility information.

Standard application submission dates apply. All applications must be submitted electronically.

F30 Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship for Students at Institutions With NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)

This funding opportunity will support students at institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. In a companion funding opportunity (PA-21-050), NIH is also seeking F30 applications from students at institutions without NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. The intent of this two-funding opportunity approach is to ensure equitable review of applications from these two kinds of institutions, as well as better tracking of fellowship awardees’ future progress in establishing independent careers as physician/clinician-scientists.

The purpose of the Kirschstein-NRSA, dual-doctoral degree, predoctoral fellowship (F30) is to enhance the integrated research and clinical training of promising predoctoral students, who are matriculated in a combined M.D./Ph.D. or other dual-doctoral degree training program (e.g., DO/Ph.D., DDS/Ph.D., Au.D./Ph.D., DVM/Ph.D.), and who intend careers as physician/clinician-scientists. Applicants must propose an integrated research and clinical training plan and a dissertation research project in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The fellowship experience is expected to clearly enhance the individual's potential to develop into a productive, independent physician/clinician-scientist.

Because of the difference in individual Institute and Center (IC) program requirements for this funding opportunity, prospective applications must consult the Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements and Staff Contacts, to make sure that their application is responsive to the requirements of one of the participating NIH ICs. Prior consultation with NIH staff is strongly encouraged.

Eligibility and Requirements. Eligibility is limited to institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. See the funding opportunity for additional eligibility information.

Standard application submission dates apply. All applications must be submitted electronically.

F31 Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows

The objective of the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) is to provide support for promising doctoral candidates who will be performing dissertation research relevant to the missions of the participating NIH institutes during the tenure of the award. The NRSA program provides up to five years of support for research training that leads to the Ph.D. or equivalent research degree, the combined M.D./Ph.D. degree, or another formally combined professional degree and research doctoral degree in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. NIDCD F31 awards are typically two to three years in duration.

The NIDCD’s Scientific Review Branch conducts the initial peer review of applications for this fellowship program, based on an expedited schedule of four to five months from submission to award. Consultation with the NIDCD research training officer is strongly encouraged during the early stages of preparing an application; see the funding opportunity for contact information.

Eligibility and Requirements. An awardee must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S., or must have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence.

Submission dates are April 8, August 8, and December 8. All applications must be submitted electronically. Application forms and instructions are obtained through the Program Announcement.

Scope of Support. Individual NRSA (Fellowship) awards provide a stipend, partial support for tuition and fees, and an institutional allowance.

F31 Diversity Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

This program provides up to five years of support for research training leading to the Ph.D. or equivalent research doctoral degree. The program's intent is to increase the number of scientists from diverse population groups, including racial and ethnic minority groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are prepared to pursue careers in biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, or health services research.

The NIDCD’s Scientific Review Branch conducts the initial peer review of applications for this fellowship program, based on an expedited schedule of four to five months from submission to award. Consultation with the NIDCD research training officer is strongly encouraged prior to preparing an application; see the funding opportunity for contact information.

Standard application submission dates apply. All applications must be submitted electronically. Application forms and instructions are obtained through the Program Announcement.

Eligibility and Requirements. An awardee must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S., or must have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence.

Scope of Support. Individual NRSA (Fellowship) awards provide a stipend, partial support for tuition and fees, and an institutional allowance.

F32 Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (Fellowships)

This award for individual postdoctoral fellows offers basic and clinical scientists the opportunity to receive full-time postdoctoral research training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences within the NIDCD mission.

The NIDCD’s Scientific Review Branch conducts the initial peer review of applications for this fellowship program, based on an expedited schedule of four to five months from submission to award. Consultation with the NIDCD research training officer is strongly encouraged prior to preparing an application; see the funding opportunity for contact information.

Eligibility and Requirements. An awardee must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S., or must have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence.

Submission dates are April 8, August 8, and December 8. All applications must be submitted electronically. Application forms and instructions are obtained through the Program Announcement.

Scope of Support. Individual NRSA awards provide a stipend, partial support of tuition and fees, and an institutional allowance.

F32 Awards: NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists

The purpose of the NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) program is to support a comprehensive, rigorous biomedical research training, and dissertation research leading to a research doctorate (i.e., Ph.D.) in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. The program will enable promising Au.D. holders to obtain individualized, mentored research training from outstanding faculty sponsors while conducting dissertation research. Applicants are expected to propose a dissertation research project and training plan in scientific health-related fields relevant to the mission of the NIDCD.

Eligibility and Requirements. Any applicant fellow with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her sponsor and organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Multiple PDs/PIs are not allowed.

By the time of award, the individual must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the U.S. or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).  

The applicant must be at the dissertation research stage of training at the time of award and must show evidence of high academic performance in the sciences, and commitment to a career as an independent research scientist.

The applicant must be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent research degree program (e.g., EngD, DNSc, DrPH, DSW, PharmD, ScD) in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences at a domestic or foreign institution.

Before a Kirschstein-NRSA NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) award can be activated, the individual must have received an Au.D. doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution and currently enrolled in the Ph.D. at the applicant institution.

Standard application dates apply. Application forms and instructions are obtained through the funding opportunity.

Scope of Support. Award budgets are composed of stipends, tuition and fees, and institutional allowance, as described in the program announcement.

Individuals may receive up to 5 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level (up to 6 years for dual degree training, e.g., M.D./Ph.D.), and up to 3 years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the postdoctoral level, including any combination of support from institutional training grants (e.g., T32) and an individual fellowship award.

F32 Awards: BRAIN Initiative Fellows: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship 

The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative Fellows (F32) program enhances the research training of promising postdoctorates, early in their postdoctoral training period, who have the potential to become productive investigators in research areas that will advance the goals of the BRAIN Initiative. Applicants for the BRAIN Initiative Fellows F32 program are expected to propose a research project and training plan in a scientific area relevant to one or more of the goals of the BRAIN Initiative.

FM1 Awards: NIH Medical Scientist Partnership Program (FM1 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH Medical Scientist Partnership Program (MSPP) supports highly promising predoctoral students during their mentored dissertation research and clinical training. Students must be in (a) a formal combined M.D./Ph.D. program or other combined-doctoral degree training program (e.g., Au.D./Ph.D.), or (b) a clinical doctoral degree program plus a separate accredited Ph.D. program at their clinical degree school or other university.

MSPP Scholars will conduct their clinical degree education at their home institution and the Ph.D. portion of their education/experience in research laboratories in the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) through participation in the NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP). Students will receive their research degree from the home institution or one of the partnership institutions affiliated with the NIH.

R25 Awards: NIDCD’s Mentoring Networks to Enhance Clinician-Scientists’ Participation in Research (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This R25 program is a flexible and specialized initiative designed to foster the development of NIDCD's clinician-scientist workforce including clinicians across career stages and varied clinical backgrounds, as well as individuals from diverse backgrounds, including from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences such as those included in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. Thus, the NIDCD encourages applications from organizations that propose innovative mentoring and professional development activities in all of the NIDCD's research areas (hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language). This program will focus on factors that have been shown to affect recruitment and retention of clinicians in research such as mentoring and technical expertise, scientific networks, professional development, pathways in research careers, and strategies to become independent clinical research investigators.

R25 Awards: Mentoring Networks to Enhance Diversity in NIDCD's Extramural Research Workforce (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.

To accomplish this goal, this funding opportunity will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on mentoring activities. Within the context of a mentoring network, activities may include, but are not limited to, dedicated efforts at providing not only technical expertise, but advice, insight, and professional career skills to college students, graduate students, postdoctorates and/or early-to-mid career faculty; facilitating scholarly writing and grantsmanship; promoting successful transitions from one career stage to another; providing leadership development; helping to identify potential collaborators; and helping to establish interdisciplinary collaborations in order to foster a career trajectory towards independent research. Additionally, the NIH realizes that quality mentorship is critical to the recruitment and retention of scientists from underrepresented groups. Therefore, this funding opportunity welcomes programs aimed at improving the caliber of mentorship. Also, the program intends to support innovative mentoring activities within scientific and/or professional societies and organizations in the NIDCD's research areas. Mentors from all demographic backgrounds should be encouraged to participate in the proposed program.

R25 Awards: Research Experiences to Enhance Clinician-Scientists' Participation in NIDCD’s Research (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that help recruit individuals with specific specialty or disciplinary backgrounds to research careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences. This is a flexible and specialized initiative designed to foster the development of the NIDCD's clinician-scientist workforce, including clinicians across career stages and varied clinical backgrounds, as well as individuals from diverse backgrounds, including from groups currently underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, such as those included in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. The NIDCD encourages applications from organizations that propose innovative research experiences in all of NIDCD's research areas (hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language). This program will focus on factors that have been shown to affect recruitment and retention of clinicians in research such as research experiences, technical research skills and professional development, pathways in research careers, and strategies to become independent clinical research investigators.

R25 Awards: Enhancing NIDCD’s Extramural Workforce Diversity through Research Experiences (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This R25 program is designed to foster the development of NIDCD researchers from diverse backgrounds and across many career stages. It encourages applications from organizations that propose innovative research experiences in all NIDCD research areas (hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language). This program will focus on strategies that have been shown to affect the participation of underrepresented students at the undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral level, as well as early-to-mid-career faculty in biomedical research.

The NIDCD expects applicant institutions to propose programs that will lead to an improvement in the research and technical skills of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented nationally in research. Programs that target transitions and/or more than one career stage for research career advancement and progression are strongly encouraged.

R25 Awards: NIDCD's Mentored Research Education Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This NIDCD R25 program seeks applications from institutional programs that can provide outstanding educational activities to medical students and resident-investigators in otolaryngology and foster their ability to transition to individual career development research awards. The program will support institutions to create a pathway in otolaryngology research careers through structured programs for medical students and resident-investigators with defined program milestones. Program participants are expected to continue in the next appropriate step to prepare for a research career, which may include an appointment to an institutional training grant or career development award, fellowship, or individual career development award. These could include appointments to a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) postdoctoral T32 and/or F32, appointments to institutional TL1/KL2 or K12 awards, individual K08 and K23 mentored career development awards, or other awards, depending on their research background and experience. 

The proposed institutional educational and research experiences in otolaryngology residency program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, but the proposed research experiences must be distinct from those programs currently receiving federal support (e.g., T32, T90, R25, TL1/KL2, KL2). R25 programs may augment institutional research training programs (e.g., the T32 award, described below) but may not be used to replace or circumvent Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs.

T32 Awards: Institutional National Research Service Awards (Training Grants)

Institutional National Research Service Awards (training grants) are awarded to nonprofit, private, or public institutions in the U.S. to provide support for research training programs for predoctoral trainees, postdoctoral trainees, or both types of trainees in the basic, behavioral, and/or clinical communication sciences. In addition, short-term traineeships for health professional students can be incorporated into the training program. Trainees are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis.

T35 Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants

These awards enable eligible institutions to provide intensive, short-term research training experiences for students in health professional schools, typically during the summer, under the mentorship of experienced researchers. The NIDCD uses this award mechanism to establish a network of short-term training programs at institutions conducting federally-funded research on hearing. These awards provide students in professional doctoral programs in audiology (leading to the Au.D. degree) with hands-on exposure to clinical or translational research in the hearing sciences. During the short-term period of appointment, trainees are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis.

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