The Year-off Training Program for Graduate and Medical Students provides opportunities for students who are enrolled in graduate or medical degree programs to engage in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Those selected for the program come to the NIH with the understanding that they will return to their degree-granting institution within one year, unless the Director, OITE, has approved an exception for a second year.

Trainees work side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. Fellowships are available in the more than 1250 intramural laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which are located on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD as well as in Baltimore and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Phoenix, AZ; Detroit, MI; and Hamilton, MT.

To be eligible to apply for this program, candidates must (1) be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, (2) be enrolled in an accredited U.S. university or medical school, and (3) have permission from their institution to interrupt their education.

Stipend and benefits

The stipends for Year-off trainees are adjusted yearly. Supplements are provided for prior experience. For more information, see the Trainee Stipends page. Benefits include health insurance for the trainee and his/her family. Trainees are invited to participate in the wide variety of career development and social activities sponsored by the Office of Intramural Training & Education.

Application Procedures

Prospective applicants should apply online. The application requires submission of a curriculum vitae,  a list of the applicant's publications, a cover letter describing the applicant's research interests and career goals, and the names and contact information for three references. Note that one letter must come from a dean at the applicant's academic institution and must certify that the applicant has permission to interrupt his/her studies for a year.

Individuals who do not have access to the Internet are encouraged to visit a local library.

Selection

Applications are reviewed and selections are made by scientists in the Institutes and Centers of the NIH on an on-going basis. Candidates will be informed of their selection by the hiring Institute. Successful candidates will be required to submit the following documentation to their Institute or Center prior to beginning their training:

• Official graduate or medical school transcripts
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. U.S. citizens may submit a copy of their birth certificate or passport. Permanent residents will need to provide a copy of their alien registration card.

Leave

Year-off trainees are excused on Federal holidays. In addition, preceptors may, at their discretion, excuse Year-off fellows from their training assignment for reasonable cause such as ill-health, personal emergencies, maternity care, etc. Preceptors may also grant excused absence for a reasonable period (up to 3 weeks annually except under unusual circumstances) to allow for vacation and personal relaxation as well as time off for graduate or medical school interviews. Year-off trainees are not employees and do not, therefore, accrue vacation or sick leave.

Taxes, Social Security, and retirement

Since Year-off trainees are not employees, they are not eligible to participate in the Federal retirement system. No deductions are withheld from their stipends for either Social Security or Medicare. (It is the opinion of the NIH legal advisor that trainees are not considered self-employed for the purposes of the Social Security Act and therefore need not make Social Security or Medicare payments on their own behalf.)

Year-off Fellowships are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. However, no deductions are taken from the stipend for this purpose, and in January the trainee receives a Form 1099 (rather than a W2) reporting earnings for the prior calendar year. Trainees should be certain to set aside funds to cover their income taxes and may be required to submit quarterly estimated tax returns. Trainees should consult their local IRS office if they have tax questions. The Office of Intramural Training & Education works with trainee groups to sponsor an annual tax workshop.

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