Postdoctoral

Program Type Related Website Focus of Program

Postdoctoral Research Training

Postdoctoral NRSA T32 

Support to institutions for postdoctoral research and career development

Research/Teaching Postdoc

Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards (IRACDA) (K12)

Support to institutions for research/ teaching postdoctoral programs at research intensive and partner institutions

Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship

https://researchtraining.nih.gov/programs/fellowships/F32

Support to individuals for research training of promising postdoctoral candidates to become productive, independent investigators

Research in Residency

NINDS Research Education Program for Residents and Clinical Fellows (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed; PAR-18-346)

Support to institutions for research in residency

Loan Repayment Programs

Loan Repayment Program 

Programs to repay researcher’s educational debt in return for NIH-related research

Research Education

Short-Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) RFA-HL-19-024

Support to institutions for research (programs may support graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows or early career faculty)

NIH supports programs to develop the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research workforce. Enhancing the participation of individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds is a consideration in all NIH programs including research education (R), training (T), fellowship (F), and career development (K) award programs. In addition, it is an explicit consideration in diversity-related programs. The table above identifies most NIH research workforce programs by career level, with diversity-related programs indicated with highlight.

  • Institutional programs (such as a T32 training grant): To participate, apply to an institution that has an NIH program. Identify awardee institutions through NIH RePORTer and contact the Principal Investigator for more information.
  • Individual programs (such as an F31 predoctoral fellowship): To participate, prepare an application to the NIH. Read the funding opportunity announcement and contact the NIH program official listed for more information.
  • Intramural programs that occur only at the NIH campus are included as they provide unique training opportunities that you should be aware of. See the websites for more information.

Many programs permit applications from individuals with specific educational backgrounds (such as PhD, MD, DVM, DDS, etc), and/or focus on particular health or disease missions. It is important to read the funding opportunity announcement carefully. Note that not every NIH Institute or Center offers every funding opportunity.

Users are advised to check the NIH Guide (search the Title Text to include diversity) for the most current list of programs, and the NIH Research Training and Career Development website for any updates.