NIGMS welcomes Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA​ applications from eligible individuals who seek postdoctoral research training in areas related to the scientific programs of the Institute. NRSA programs are described in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 3, 2016 (PA-23-262​), and modified as described below.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must have received the doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.C., D.D.S., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr.P.H., D.N.S., N.D., Pharm.D., D.S.W., Psy.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution) by the beginning date of the proposed award. For applicants holding the Ph.D. degree, this award is designed to provide support for advanced and specialized training in basic research, in basic research associated with clinical problems or in clinical research. For applicants holding the M.D. or other clinical-professional degree, this program is intended to provide at least 2 years of rigorous basic or clinical research training.

Institutional Setting

An applicant's proposed study must include the conduct of research with supervision or other opportunity for guidance appropriate to his or her background and objectives. Prior to submitting an application, an applicant must arrange for acceptance at an appropriate training institution by a responsible sponsor. The institutional setting may be domestic or foreign, private or public. The application must document the availability of staff and facilities required for the proposed research and for accomplishing the applicant's training objectives.

Length of Support

NIH policy is to provide 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. Extenuating circumstance leading to interruptions in research training may be considered for competitive applications. Potential applicants should consult program staff to discuss their individual situation before submitting an application.

The F32 program is designed to support research training experiences in new settings to maximize the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. In many cases, the sponsoring institution will be a site other than where the candidate trained as a graduate student. However, if the candidate is proposing postdoctoral training at their doctoral institution, the application must carefully document the opportunities for new research training experiences specifically designed to broaden the candidate's scientific background and describe new knowledge and/or technical skills.

Fellowship Stipend

Additional information regarding dates of application and notification, tenure, eligibility, payback requirements and stipends may be found at the NIH Research Training website.

Funding Decisions

NIGMS staff consider many factors (e.g., priority score, training potential, details of the training program, time already spent in the sponsor's laboratory, program relevance and the summary statement narrative) when making funding decisions.

Fellowship Support Areas

Postdoctoral fellowships support research in all areas of interest to NIGMS (organized into Fellowship Support Areas), including those described in these specific areas.

For more information about the NRSA Parent F32, see PA-23-262 or email NIGMSTWDF32@nigms.nih.gov.