The Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Postdoctoral Fellows uses the F32 grant mechanism to support individuals with a doctoral degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., D.P.H.) for a three-year period of supervised research experience to achieve independence. Individuals with health professional doctoral degrees who have little initial research experience and want to dedicate themselves to a career in cancer research should refer to K07, K08 or K23 grant mechanisms as possible alternatives to the F32 award.

By the time of award a candidate must be a citizen of the United States, or a non-citizen national, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident. The Candidate must be able to identify an individual who can serve as a mentor who will directly supervise the candidate's training and research experience.

Individuals are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis, devoting at least 40 hours per week to the training program. The F32 award provides support in the form of stipends (determined by the number of full years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time the award is issued), tuition and fees, and institutional allowance to defray expenses such as research supplies, equipment and travel to research meetings.

Individuals are allowed three years of aggregate postdoctoral support under any combination of National Research Service Award Mechanisms. Training beyond three years may be allowed under exceptional circumstances, but a waiver from the NCI Program Staff is required.

Program Announcement

Notice of extension of PA:
PA-07-107 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32)

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