The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) is designed to support promising predoctoral students. It provides funding for students to receive personalized, mentored research training while working on their dissertation projects in health-related scientific fields. The goal is to help these students become independent research scientists. However, applicants cannot lead their own clinical trials, but they can participate in trials led by their mentors.
Who it's for: This grant is for promising predoctoral students who are working on their dissertation projects in scientific health-related fields. Eligible applicants include private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and various types of nonprofit organizations.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Proposing to lead an independent clinical trial
- Not being a predoctoral student
- Research not related to health-related scientific fields
- Lack of a qualified faculty sponsor
- Application submitted past the deadline
What You May Need
- Proof of enrollment in a predoctoral program
- Detailed research proposal
- Mentorship plan with faculty sponsor
- Letters of recommendation
- Institutional approval
- Budget plan
- NIH biosketch
- Personal statement
- Research training plan
- Transcripts
Cautions
- Cannot lead an independent clinical trial
- Must align with NIH mission areas
- Requires a strong mentorship plan
- Strict adherence to application guidelines
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
This grant is for promising predoctoral students who are working on their dissertation projects in scientific health-related fields. Eligible applicants include private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and various types of nonprofit organizations.
Overview
This grant is for promising predoctoral students who are working on their dissertation projects in scientific health-related fields. Eligible applicants include private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and various types of nonprofit organizations.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Proposing to lead an independent clinical trial
- Not being a predoctoral student
- Research not related to health-related scientific fields
- Lack of a qualified faculty sponsor
- Application submitted past the deadline
Use of Funds
The funds can be used to support the predoctoral student's research training, including costs related to conducting dissertation research projects. This may include stipends, tuition, fees, and other training-related expenses.
Cost Sharing
Not Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Jun 12, 2025
- Deadline
- May 7, 2028(694 days)
- Archive Date
- Jun 12, 2028
- Last Updated
- Jun 13, 2025
- Est. Award Date (AI estimate)
- Fall 2028
Application Checklist
- Verify eligibility as a predoctoral student
- Secure a qualified faculty sponsor
- Develop a detailed research proposal
- Create a comprehensive mentorship plan
- Gather letters of recommendation
- Obtain institutional approval
- Prepare a budget plan
- Complete an NIH biosketch
- Write a personal statement
- Draft a research training plan
- Collect academic transcripts
- Submit application by the deadline