Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health

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) Individual Predoctoral M.D./Ph.D. or Other Dual-Doctoral Degree Fellowship (Parent F30)

NIDCD/NIH offer two funding opportunities for this fellowship program. The funding opportunity that an applicant should select depends on whether the applicant’s institution has NIH-funded predoctoral dual-degree training programs:

  • Kirschstein NRSA Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) (PA-23-261).  Supports students at institutions without NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs.
  • Kirschstein NRSA Fellowship for Students at Institutions With NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) (PA-23-260). Supports students at institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs.

The overall goal of the dual-degree F30 programs is to enhance the integrated research and clinical training of promising predoctoral students who are 1) matriculated in a combined M.D./Ph.D. or other dual-doctoral degree training program (e.g.Au.D./Ph.D.), and 2) who intend careers as physician/clinician-scientists. The F30 program supports students in dual-doctoral degree training programs during their mentored dissertation research training and clinical training.

NIDCD’s dual-degree F30 awards are designed to increase the number of clinician-scientists trained to conduct basic, translational, and clinical research in our mission areas: hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.

NIDCD’s Scientific Review Branch conducts the initial peer review of applications for this fellowship program. We strongly encourage you to consult with the NIDCD research training officer for the fellowship program early in the application process.

Students at institutions with NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs: Because of the difference in individual NIH institute and center (IC) program requirements for this funding opportunity, prospective applicants should consult the Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements and Staff Contacts and contact the NIDCD research training officer for the fellowship program prior to submission. This will ensure that the application is responsive to NIDCD requirements.

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.

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: Promoting Broad Participation in NIDCD's Extramural Workforce through Research Education Experiences and/or Mentoring Networks (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This R25 program, which combines two previous funding opportunities, is a flexible and specialized initiative designed to promote broad participation in the NIDCD extramural workforce and foster the development of NIDCD researchers from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and across career stages, geographic location, and fields of expertise. Thus, we encourage applications from organizations that propose innovative mentoring and professional development activities in all NIDCD research areas (hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language).

To accomplish this goal, this funding opportunity supports educational activities, with a primary focus on research experiences and mentoring activities.

R25 Awards: Research Experiences and/or Mentoring Networks through Research Education to Enhance Clinician-Scientists' Participation in NIDCD’s Research (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The overarching goal of this NIH R25 program, which combines two previous funding opportunities, is to support educational activities to 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 NIDCD's diverse clinician-scientist workforce, which may include, for example, clinicians across career stages, from varied clinical backgrounds, or from groups currently underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Thus, we encourage applications from organizations that propose innovative research experiences in all 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. Examples include research experiences, technical research skills and professional development, pathways in research careers, and strategies to become independent clinical research investigators.

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.

Last Updated Date: