Selection Process
How are selections made?
Selections are made at the laboratory level. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) researchers review applications to determine the most suitable applicants for their laboratories.
If a researcher at NIAID is interested in your application, she/he will contact you to arrange a telephone interview. During the telephone interview, please feel free to ask any questions. Common questions include the following:
- What type of project will I have?
- How much responsibility and independence will I have given my current research experience?
- How much time will I have with my mentor?
- When will I learn whether an offer has been made to me?
- If I receive an offer, what will my start and end dates be?
Researchers make most selections in March and April. The investigator who has selected you or an administrative officer in his/her laboratory will contact you by phone or e-mail. Once you have accepted an offer, you will receive further instructions via e-mail.
All students who have not been selected will be notified via e-mail from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) by early May.
How will I be notified if I am selected?
The investigator who has selected you, or someone from his/her office, will contact you directly by telephone or e-mail.
- If you accept the initial offer, you will receive further instruction via e-mail. It is important that you respond as soon as possible in order to expedite your paperwork.
- If you choose not to accept the offer, please contact the secretary at the laboratory and our Training Coordinator as soon as possible to alert them of your decision.
I did not receive an offer. What should I do?
There is still time to locate other research opportunities. Information on a variety of research training programs can be found on the OITE Web site. You can also visit the OITE Virtual Career Center for information that may help you in your career planning process.
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This program offered by the: Office of Training and Special Emphasis Programs, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health