Writing a Fellowship Application

<< previous · Advice on Research Training and Career Awards · next >>

Carefully read the relevant funding opportunity announcement and the SF424 (R&R) Individual Fellowship Application Guide to learn what your electronic application should include.

Be sure to request at least three (but no more than five) reference letters. The people you ask must use the required References for Fellowship Awards format page. See our Fellowship Grants SOP for more information or go to the Reference Letter Instructions in the Application Guide (Part 1, Section 5.4) for detailed instructions, including information you should give to people writing your letters.

Note: those who write letters for you will submit them directly through the eRA Commons at Submit Reference Letter.

Keep in mind that you must comply with NIH’s public access policy, which includes citing papers from NIH-funded research in your application. See our Public Access of Publications SOP for more information.

Initial Peer Review

The NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will peer review your application. Reviewers give F32 applications a streamlined review.

To learn how peer reviewers determine scientific and technical merit, refer to the SF424 (R&R) Individual Fellowship Application Guide.

For an overview of the peer review process, read Part 8. Assignment and Review of the NIH Grant Cycle: Application to Renewal.

<< previous · Advice on Research Training and Career Awards · next >>