Fellowship awards support training in fields within the NIGMS mission. We encourage applications from students at institutions not already funded by NIGMS T32 training grants.
Predoctoral applicants must have identified a research sponsor and propose a dissertation research project that clearly enhances the applicant's potential to develop into a productive contributor to the biomedical research enterprise. The dissertation project needs to be related to the sponsor's research area and should describe research training activities that will serve as a strong foundation for the candidate to develop into a productive researcher.
Research training and career development are important objectives for the fellowship. The applicant and research sponsor may wish to review available institutional programs and/or experienced trainers and describe how these will contribute to the proposed fellowship.
Doctoral students are likely to begin graduate research under close supervision and direction from the research sponsor, while acquiring skills, knowledge and often, pilot observations necessary to propose next steps in research. The research training potential of a proposed project may incorporate aims, collaborators, technical approaches new to the sponsor's research program, with a description of how the fellow will achieve them. The proposed research project and training is intended to provide the candidate with an individualized mentored experience that takes advantage of the candidate’s strengths and address training gaps.
NIGMS supports basic biomedical research areas that might also be of interest to the National Science Foundation, various foundations, and other funders. It is important to demonstrate that the sponsor's lab has sufficient research funds to support the proposed research.
NIGMS will give priority for funding to applicants who have not already held a fellowship award. NIGMS will not fund a predoctoral applicant who currently holds another fellowship award that essentially duplicates the support that would be received under the NRSA application.
NIGMS provides a listing of the current funded programs.
No. NIGMS expects the dissertation research to be completed at the sponsoring institution or, under extenuating circumstances, at another U.S. institution that does not have an NIGMS-supported MSTP.
In accordance with ongoing efforts to support family-friendly work environments for the NIH-supported workforce, NRSA fellowship awardees are now eligible to request additional funds for costs for childcare provided by a licensed provider. Requests may be made at the time of the competing application, as a “just in time” submission prior to receiving the award notice, in the annual progress report, or mid-budget period as an administrative supplement (see NOT-OD-21-070 and the associated notices, including NOT-OD-21-075). Eligible fellows are encouraged to consult the FAQs and the Grants Management Specialist on the Notice of Award.
Yes. Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research is an integral component of any training program. Successful completion of such instruction is required during Year 01 of a fellowship award. Instructional details must be reported in the Year 02 Progress Report. Full details about this policy requirement can be found in the NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-10-019. This requirement is fulfilled if the fellow provides documentation that acceptable instruction has been completed within the last four years and during the current career stage.
