Training Opportunities at the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program Yolanda D. Mock Hawkins, Ph.D. Director, NIH Academy

NIH Intramural Training Mechanisms The NIH Intramural Research Program offers several mechanisms to train high- quality researchers in biomedical research.

NIH Intramural Research Training Mechanisms A few examples of NIH research training opportunities: Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (Postbac IRTA). NIH Academy Technical IRTA Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program

Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) The Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award provides opportunities for recent college graduates to spend a year engaged in biomedical research at the NIH. While in this program participants work side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. Post-baccalaureate fellows are expected to initiate the application process for graduate or medical school.

Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) To Be Eligible for consideration: –Students must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. –Fellowship awards must be activated within two years of receipt of a bachelors degree.

Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Award Duration –Awards are normally granted for one year, but may be renewed once for an additional year provided the performance of the trainee is satisfactory and continued support by the laboratory is available. Stipend –The stipend for Post-baccalaureate trainees is adjusted yearly with supplements for prior experience, (current stipends are posted in Table 2 at

Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) How to Apply: –Prospective candidates should apply electronically via the internet at: –The electronic application requires the submission of three letters of reference. Applicants will be asked to enter the addresses of each referee. Individuals who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to visit a local library. – TIP: Be as descriptive as possible in your cover letter outlining your research interests, career goals, and reasons for applying for training at the NIH.

NIH Academy The NIH Academy provides opportunities for recent college graduates to spend a year engaged in biomedical research at the NIH in Bethesda, MD. Participants work side-by-side with some of the worlds leading scientists. The primary emphasis of the program is research-based training, which may be related to health disparities. In addition, there are two educational components: seminars and workshops on topics related to health disparities, as well as skills development and general knowledge workshops. Participants reside in apartments located adjacent to the NIH main campus.

NIH Academy A few examples of Health Disparities –Hispanics and Latinos are nearly twice as likely as Caucasians to be diagnosed with diabetes; American Indians nearly three times. –Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs 2.5 times more often in African Americans than in the majority population. –The death rate from stomach cancer is substantially higher among Asian and Pacific Islanders than among other populations, while Vietnamese women in the U.S. have a cervical cancer incidence rate that is five times greater than Caucasian women.

NIH Academy To be eligible for consideration: –Students must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States –Have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. –Recent college graduate (meaning that the Academy start date, the last Friday in August, is less than a year after applicants graduation from college). Note: students should apply during their senior year of college.

NIH Academy During their tenure in the program, fellows are expected to initiate the application process for graduate or medical school. The duration of the program is normally a year, but the award can be extended for an additional year based on successful trainee performance, satisfactory trainee progress towards matriculation at an accredited graduate or medical school, and continued availability of funds. In order to encourage peer mentoring and facilitate interactions among members, the NIH Academy is a residential program. Trainees share two-bedroom apartments that are furnished and located adjacent to the Bethesda campus.

NIH Academy Stipend and benefits –NIH Academy trainees receive a stipend of approximately $26,000 per twelve-month period. –Travel to and from the NIH –Support for FAES (Foundation for the Advancement of Education in the Sciences) courses (preceptor approval is required) –$350 Education allowance for courses, MCAT/GRE review, or books –Health insurance –Travel to a national scientific meeting (preceptor approval is required)

Technical Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Technical Intramural Research Training Award Fellowships are designed to produce a cadre of highly trained support professionals capable of performing the latest advanced techniques in biomedical research.

Technical IRTA Eligibility: –To be eligible for this program, candidates must have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university with a bachelors or masters degree. Length of Appointment: –The initial fellowship award is for two years and can be extended for a maximum of three years.

Technical IRTA Stipend: –Stipends are established based on the individuals degree and amount of relevant experience at the beginning of the fellowship. –For individuals with bachelors degrees, initial stipends range from $23,800 to $29,000. For individuals with masters degrees, stipends range from $29,600 to $33,100.

Technical IRTA Application Procedure: –Prospective candidates are strongly urged to apply electronically at –The electronic application requires two (2) letters of reference. You will be asked to key in the addresses of your referees. An automatic will be sent to each of your referees requesting that they complete an on-line letter of reference.

Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research Participants are able to join one of the NIH research laboratories for a minimum of eight weeks between late May and August. At the end of the program, students have an opportunity to participate in the NIH Poster Day Program.

Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research To Participate: –Students must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. –At the time of application students must be currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited U.S. high school, college, or graduate school

Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research Appointment is competitive through the IRTA mechanism. Students are responsible for their own travel and housing expenses. Housing is not available on the NIH campus.

Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research Applications are available on-line in November. To apply visit this website: (Applicants will be asked to enter the addresses of each referee). Deadline for applications is March 1. TIP: It is a good idea to apply and request your letters of reference early.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program The focus of this program is on biomedical laboratory research. It is designed to provide advanced research training to doctoral-level scientists who are at the beginning stages of their research careers.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program Postdoctoral Fellows have the opportunity to : Obtain research training in one of NIH intramural research laboratories. Attend lectures and seminars featuring world leaders in the biomedical sciences. Prepare for their futures by attending workshops on the preparation of NIH grants and alternative job opportunities.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program Eligibility: –U.S. citizen or permanent resident –Recent recipient of a doctoral degree (within 5 years of obtaining their doctoral degree). Duration: –Initial commitments; 1 month – 2 years; yearly renewal, maximum duration 6 years. To apply, visit:

Websites of Interests NIH Intramural Research Training Opportunities NIH Jobs: