Fellowships

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellowship

Overview

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.  More information about NRSA programs may be found at the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) website.  The primary purpose of the NRSA is to ensure the TRAINING of independent research scientists.

 Structure of NIH

• Organization of institutes
  • NIH is one of eight agencies that make up the Department of Health and Human Services.  NIH awards, by far, the most grant money to U.S. universities to support biomedical research.
  • There are 25 Institutes and Centers under the umbrella of NIH.  Each has its own mission.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Individual Fellowships (Research Training Opportunities, Policy Notices and Frequently Asked Questions)

Application Overview

• F30 Individual Predoctoral MD/PhD or Other Dual-Doctoral Degree Fellowship 
• F31 (predoctoral fellowships)
• F31 (predoctoral fellowships – diversity)  
• F32 (postdoctoral fellowships)
• For a complete listing of Fellowship Program Announcements (PAs), see the F-kiosk.
• F-series due receipt dates: April 8, August 8 and December 8

Application Process

• Applicants should work with their faculty advisor as early as possible to identify which NIH institute is most relevant to support their research and project, and to establish a strong training plan.
• The Office of Sponsored Projects is authorized to submit your proposal to NIH on your behalf.
• If you haven’t already done so, register in the ERA Commons (required for PD/PI). To register for an eRA Commons account, email Office of Sponsored Research Projects at sponsored.projects@dartmouth.edu 
• Obtain your ERA Commons login as soon as possible in advance of the deadline.
• Reference Letters:  Familiarize yourself with the process. Review funding opportunity instructions and NIH’s Reference Letters page. Referees must submit reference letters through the eRA Commons by the application due date.
• For resubmission applications, it is critical that NEW Letters of Reference be submitted providing up-to-date evaluation of the applicant and Referee has been provided new Funding Opportunity Announcement Number if the opportunity has changed.
• Both the Fellow and Primary Sponsor must complete and sign NIH/AHRQ Fellowship Certification Assurance Form. While this form is not required to go in the application, it must be available to the sponsoring agency or other authorized HHS or Federal officials upon request. This document should be uploaded in RAPPORT or forwarded to the Office of Sponsored Projects before the proposal is submitted. 
• All NIH NRSA applications are due to the Office of Sponsored Projects for initial review at least 7 business days prior to the NIH deadline.