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Training and Career Development Grant Programs

NIAID uses the following programs to develop and support the next generation of biomedical researchers — people just entering graduate school, finishing their doctorates, or coming in from other fields. These awards enable promising scientists to gain education and experience.

Award Types

We award some grants to individuals, while others go to educational institutions or specific projects. To identify an award type suited to your needs, check the pages below and our Choose an Award by Career Stage guide.

Training Grants (T). National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) and Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant (T35) provide domestic, nonprofit, and private or public graduate-level academic institutions with funds for training predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates.

Fellowship Grants (F). National Research Service Award (NRSA) individual fellowship grants provide research experience to students and scientists at various stages of their careers.

Research Career Development Awards (K). K awards enable scientists with diverse backgrounds to enhance their careers in biomedical research. Mentored K awards can also have positive effects on your publication record and subsequent receipt of NIH research grants.

Loan Repayment Programs. These programs repay qualifying educational debt to help M.D.s and some other doctoral-level professionals pursue research careers.

Research Supplements. These add funds to an existing grant to support scientists who are from underrepresented groups, acting as primary caregivers, or reentering health research careers.

Research Projects (R25 and R38). The NIAID Research Education Program (R25) and the Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program (R38) both provide support to eligible institutions to train participants in biomedical research areas.

More Guidance on Training, Fellowship, and Career Awards

Choose an Award by Career Stage
To help you decide which award best suits your needs, use our career stage timelines. They show the grants that might be appropriate for where you are on the Ph.D. or M.D. track.
Know What To Look for When Choosing a Mentor
Before you apply for an NIAID fellowship or mentored career development award, you’ll need to find a principal investigator to serve as your mentor throughout the project.
Guidance on Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Investigators trained with NIH support must receive formal instruction in the responsible conduct of research. Find advice and recommendations from NIAID staff on how your application can document prior instruction and present a plan for future instruction.
Postdocs' Guide to Gaining Independence
If you’re a postdoctoral researcher currently working in your mentor’s lab, we offer advice on how to lay the groundwork toward becoming a principal investigator of your own lab, most likely as a faculty member at an academic institution.
Salary Cap, Stipends, & Training Funds
When you prepare your application budget, check the cap on the direct salary you can charge to a grant and the stipend levels. Learn how you can use training and fellowship award funds.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about training and career awards, contact AITrainingHelpDesk@niaid.nih.gov

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