Tylisha Gourdine, INRO participant and postbac in the Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML).
Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) promotes biomedical research training in allergic, immunologic, or infectious diseases. Applicants for INRO should be talented senior-level undergraduate students, those who have recently completed a master’s degree, or those who are in their final year of a master’s degree program. Through INRO, the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development (ORTD) sponsors postbaccalaureate research trainees (postbacs) from U.S. populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and those dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion — as defined by Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity Notice. Individuals from underrepresented populations and/or disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the biomedical sciences and be actively pursuing a postbac research training position – also called an Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) – in NIAID at the time of their INRO application.
If selected for INRO, finalists will have the opportunity to get to know the other finalists in their cohort and meet with prospective NIAID mentors, with the expectation that all finalists will join an NIAID laboratory and start their postbaccalaureate training on June 10, 2024.
More about INRO on this page:
- Eligibility
- Important Dates
- Application Information
- How Applicants Are Selected
- NIAID INRO Event
- What To Expect as an NIAID-Sponsored INRO Trainee
- NIAID Welcomes the 2022 INRO Postbac Cohort
Eligibility
- United States citizen or permanent resident
- Graduating senior (undergraduate or master’s program) or have recently completed an undergraduate or master’s degree
- GPA of 3.2 or higher and in good academic standing
- Available for a one-year postbac fellowship in NIAID that begins on June 10, 2024
- Intent to apply to graduate or professional school during tenure at NIH
- Former NIAID interns are not eligible for INRO
Note: There are two required components for INRO consideration: 1) NIH Office of Training & Education (OITE) postbac application and 2) INRO supplementary questionnaire. See "Application Information" for more details.
Background Check
Please note any fellowship offer is contingent on your ability to successfully pass a federal background check, which is required for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems. As part of the clearance process, you will be asked “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” This question pertains to the use of controlled substances or drugs as defined under federal law. Please be aware that while marijuana may be legal or decriminalized within your home jurisdiction it remains illegal under U.S. federal law. The use, possession, supply, or manufacture of marijuana may preclude you from obtaining the necessary clearances to participate in NIH intramural training programs, even if you were initially offered a position. If you have questions about this policy or would like guidance on the clearance process, please reach out to oite@nih.gov (please put “Eligibility Inquiry” in the subject line).
Important Dates
| Program Timeline | Date |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | September 1, 2023 |
| Application portal closes | November 27, 2023 (11:59 p.m. ET). Note: Applications for INRO will not be accepted after this date |
| Notification emails sent to applicants | Early January 2024 |
| INRO Event dates | February 1-2, 2024 |
| Start official IRTA paperwork | March 2024 |
| Cohort start date | June 10, 2024 |
Application Information
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 27, 2023. Applicants must meet both the Postbac IRTA and INRO program eligibility criteria.
There are two key components for the INRO application process:
- Applications must be submitted to the NIH OITE online application portal.
You must “submit” your OITE application in order for your reference letter writers to be notified. You can update your application after “submitting,” but you will want your letter writers to have as much time as possible for writing and submitting their letters on your behalf. Applications are not considered complete without the letters of reference. - When your OITE application has been submitted, you must complete the supplemental INRO questionnaire by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 27, 2023.
You will be asked to provide a diversity statement outlining how your participation will align with NIAID's goal of promoting diversity and inclusion in biomedical research. Additionally, you will be required to provide a list of research topics and affiliated NIAID principal investigators that fit your research interests and goals.
Note: Failure to complete both the OITE application and the supplementary INRO questionnaire will result in ineligibility for INRO consideration. Applications are not considered complete without the letters of reference.
For specific questions, contact the INRO Coordinator.
How Applicants Are Selected
Selection is highly competitive. Qualified applicants will be reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee consisting of NIAID scientists.
Applications are evaluated on the following basis:
- Cover letter and diversity statement
- Research goals and experience
- Demonstrated interest in NIAID research and a commitment to a career in biomedical research
- Academic record
Applicants selected to attend the INRO Event will be notified by email in early January.
Selection for the INRO Event does not guarantee a position in NIAID. While it is anticipated that all postbacs selected for INRO will join an NIAID laboratory, position offers are made by individual investigators after the INRO Event/interviews.
NIAID INRO Event
During the Event
- Participate in the two-day event
- Learn about global health research from NIAID premier scientists
- Interview with potential NIAID mentors
- Every effort will be made to identify laboratories within NIAID that would be a good match for INRO participants
- Students may meet with investigators from Bethesda, Rockville, and Montana campuses
- Meet trainees currently doing research in NIAID laboratories
- In-depth “look” at the NIH Clinical Center
After the Event
Postbac position offers are made by individual principal investigators after the event and interviews. All NIAID-Sponsored INRO Research Trainees will have a start date of June 10, 2024.
What To Expect as an NIAID-Sponsored INRO Research Trainee
The NIAID Office of Research Training & Development (ORTD) ensures that candidates selected for a postbac position are fully included in the laboratory and training community at NIAID, with access to career and professional mentoring and skill development events, which help ensure your continued competitiveness in the field of biomedical research.
As an NIAID-sponsored trainee, you will
- Participate in an entrance interview with the program manager upon start of fellowship
- Create an individual development plan
- Participate in monthly seminars
- Complete an exit interview with the program manager prior to end of fellowship
Postbac fellows are expected to initiate the application process for graduate or medical school during their time at NIH. In some cases, the postbac fellowship can be extended for an additional year, depending on satisfactory progress, position availability, and funding.
NIAID Welcomes the 2022 INRO Postbac Cohort
2022 Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) Fellows
The Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) 2022 cohort began their postbac research training awards in June. The group was invited to participate in a two-day virtual event in early February, where they interviewed with NIAID PIs for a postbac opportunity in NIAID intramural research labs in Maryland and Montana. The group had the opportunity to learn about NIH, meet the INRO 2020 cohort, attend research seminars given by NIAID PIs, and get a feel for life and research in NIAID.
Read more about our previous INRO cohorts and their path to NIAID.