Biomedical Research Training Program for Individuals
from Underrepresented Groups
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of the Director
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Revised: September 2008
Introduction
Overview
Training Program Description
Types of Training Assignments
Eligibility Requirements
Application Process (Online Application)
Contact Information
Websites of interest
Selection Process
Training Assignment and Duration
Training Stipends
Deductions
Health Benefits
Types of Leave
Travel
Training
Introduction
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has established
a Biomedical Research Training Program for Individuals from Underrepresented
Groups (BRTPUG) that offers opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate,
post baccalaureate individuals, and graduate students to receive training
in fundamental biomedical sciences and clinical research disciplines.
The purpose of BRTPUG is to provide research training opportunities to
individuals from health disparities groups that are underrepresented in
health-related research. Nationally, these groups include but are not
limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska
Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Individuals with disabilities
and from disadvantaged backgrounds are also underrepresented in health-related
research. The Program supports students that will pursue basic science,
clinical, biomedical or behavioral health research careers including clinical
and laboratory medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics as applied to
the etiology and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases.
Increasing diversity in the future research workforce may contribute ultimately
to the elimination of health disparities in cardiovascular, lung, and
blood diseases in the U.S.
Overview
The NHLBI provides leadership for a national program of research in diseases
of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood, and in the uses and management
of blood resources. The NHLBI plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an
integrated and coordinated program of research.
Two divisions of the Institute are involved in the BRTPUG program: the
Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the Division of Prevention and
Population Sciences (DPPS). Research experiences available to students
include the following:
- clinical research on the normal and abnormal pathophysiologic functioning
of the heart, lungs, and blood and in genetic studies of inherited diseases
of these systems,
- basic research on normal and abnormal cellular behavior at the molecular
level, and
- training in epidemiology, clinical trials, and biostatistics relating
to the prevalence, etiology, prevention, and treatment of heart, vascular,
pulmonary, and blood diseases.
Training Program Description
The BRTPUG offers each participant the opportunity to work closely with
leading research scientists in NHLBI laboratories and offices. The program
is designed to provide trainees with hands-on training in a research environment
and an opportunity to present their scientific research at national meetings.
These research training experiences will prepare students to continue their
studies and advance their career in clinical and basic research. Types
of Training Assignments
- The Division of Intramural Research will provide
trainees the opportunity to apply knowledge gained during their academic
studies to actual hands-on experiences in a laboratory.
Research training is offered in all of the labs and branches of the Division
of Intramural Research, and is also available in the NHLBI core facilities
devoted to proteomics, flow cytometry, light microscopy and bioinformatics.
Clinical research training is available in the:
- Cardiology Branch,
- Hematology Branch,
- Translational Medicine Branch, and
- Pulmonary and Vascular Medicine Branch
Projects can encompass basic, translational, and clinical aspects of
research. The research activities for the training assignments may include:
- development of the cardiovascular system,
- the mechanisms of gene regulation,
- retroviral-mediated gene transfer and gene therapy,
- molecular basis of lung diseases and design of new therapeutic modalities,
- biochemistry and biophysics of contractile proteins and cytoskeletal
dynamics,
- molecular and cellular processes for the conversion of metabolic
energy into useful work,
- molecular basis of transmembrane signaling,
- pathophysiology of renal function at the cellular and molecular
levels,
- biochemistry of trace nutrients,
- enzyme kinetics, metabolic regulation, and protein chemistry,
- computational approaches to biological and chemical questions,
- molecular immunology and cytokines, and
- imaging technologies for visualizing organ and cellular function.
- The Division of Prevention and Population Sciences
will provide training in the basic principles of design, implementation,
and analysis of epidemiology studies and clinical trials.
The training will include concepts of epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral
sciences, and prevention and outcome cardiovascular research as well as
the practical application of these methods to population research.
The Division conducts the major cardiovascular epidemiology studies in
the U.S. including the Framingham Study, and conducts critical large randomized
clinical trials in both treatment and prevention of heart, lung, and blood
diseases.
The trainee will have the opportunity to work with the Institute staff
directing these studies, and to assist in evaluation of research questions
posed by these studies.
Illustrative areas of research activities addressed by these studies
are extensive and include, for example:
- role of lipids in the development of coronary heart disease,
- prevention and treatment of obesity
- development and evaluation of culturally valid psychosocial test
instruments of examining the relationship between health and behavior
in minority populations,
- evaluation of medication use for blood pressure and the variability
of use in minority populations,
- prevalence of and risk factors for coronary disease in Hispanics/Latinos,
and
- identification of key socioeconomic factors related to risk factors
for cardiovascular diseases.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the following criteria:
- be enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate institution,
or graduate students enrolled full-time in an accredited academic
institution, or recently completed post baccalaureate,
- must have completed academic training in course work relevant to
biomedical, behavioral or statistical research,
- have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) or Major GPA of 3.3
or better on a 4.0 scale, or 4.3 or better on a 5.0 scale, and
- be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Students who have participated in the Minority Access to Research Careers
(MARC) Summer Research Training Program, the NIH Research Supplements
to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, or the Minority Biomedical
Research Support (MBRS) Program may apply if they meet the eligibility
requirements.
Applicants will not be excluded from consideration or evaluation on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin,
sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.
However, the program seeks to provide research training opportunities
for students who are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral
research fields nationally, such as: racial/ethnic minorities, individuals
with disabilities, and undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds
(i.e., from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged
backgrounds).
Application Process
Online
Application. Applications must be submitted
online.
For placements beginning in June of the calendar year or summer opportunities,
NHLBI strongly encourages applicants to submit your application by January
15.
For Post-Baccalaureate 1-2 year research internships beginning in July-September
of the calendar year, applications should be submitted by March
1.
Applicants
are encouraged to contact the following office:
Dr.
Helena O. Mishoe
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Office of Research Training and Minority Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 9180, MSC 7913
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7913
Telephone: 301-451-5081
FAX: 301-480-0862
Websites of interest
Division of Intramural Research:
(http://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov)
Division of Prevention
and Population Sciences: (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/dpps/index.htm)
Selection Process
Application packages will be reviewed by a panel of NHLBI scientists. Candidates
will be selected for interviews based on their academic achievement, training,
research goals and interests, and letters of recommendation. The
number of trainees selected for any one training period may vary due to
the availability of funds and mentors.
Students who have been selected to be interviewed will be invited to
Bethesda, Maryland to visit the NHLBI at the National Institutes of Health.
The applicant will be notified of acceptance or nonacceptance into the
program in a timely manner.
Training Assignment and Duration
Training typically begins in May or June of the selection year. If circumstances
prevent this start date, the mentor and trainee will agree upon an acceptable
start date. All training sites are located in Bethesda, Maryland. The
trainee's appointment is a one-time appointment of 6 (2 summers) to 24
months over a 2 year period beginning the summer of selection. To satisfy
the appointment, students are required to complete their training assignments
during consecutive years. Examples of training assignments include summer
study during the student’s college years followed by a period of
training after graduation. Alternately, students can apply for a period
of one year of training to follow receipt of the Baccalaureate degree.
The fellowship award must be activated the summer of selection into the
program. A second year of funding may be provided, although not guaranteed,
with both mentor and trainee concurrence.
An NHLBI mentor will be appointed for each trainee. The mentor is responsible
for designing a training program plan tailored to the current scientific
research of the program area and the needs of the trainee. The training
plan must be approved by the assigned Laboratory/Branch Chief.
BRTPUG trainees are required to maintain the eligibility GPA (3.3/4.0
scale or 4.3/5.0 scale) during their participation in the training program;
failure to do so may result in the termination of the fellowship.
Training Stipends
Trainees will receive a stipend that is prorated according to the time period
the trainee is actually on-site. Stipends are based on student's academic
classification beginning the next semester. The initial stipend
check will be issued at the beginning of the first month of training for
the time period worked in the previous month. To ensure timely receipt
of stipends, trainees must participate in the direct deposit program.
Current Stipend Scale – FY 2008
Undergraduate
| Sophomore |
|
Junior |
|
Senior |
|
Annual |
$26,029 |
Annual |
$26,779 |
Annual |
$27,636 |
Monthly |
$2,169 |
Monthly |
$2,231 |
Monthly |
$2,303 |
Post Baccalaureate
Annual |
$28,385 |
Monthly |
$2,365 |
Graduate
| First Year |
|
Second Year |
|
Third Year |
|
Annual |
$28,385 |
Annual |
$29,135 |
Annual |
$29,992 |
Monthly |
$2,365 |
Monthly |
$2,428 |
Monthly |
$2,499 |
Deductions
Since the NHLBI BRTPUG stipends are considered awards for training, the
following restrictions are applied to the stipends:
- Social Security and Medicare payments are not deducted.
- Federal, state and local income taxes are not withheld. However, the
stipends are subject to Federal and State taxes as well as local taxes,
where applicable. Trainees should consult with the Internal Revenue
Service and/or their tax representatives for instructions and additional
information.
- Federal retirement is not applicable.
Health Benefits
Trainees must be covered by health insurance in order to receive training
at the NIH. Students without health insurance may obtain it through the
Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the NIH. Trainees must
work at least 32 hours per week and maintain the insurance for at least
3 months. In the event of injuries in the work place or an emergency, the
NIH Occupational Medical Service is available. Types
of Leave
The BRTPUG trainees are not employees of the NHLBI, therefore, they do not
earn annual and sick leave, but are excused on all Federal holidays. Mentors
may, at their discretion, excuse trainees from their training assignments
for reasonable causes such as ill health, emergencies, and personal business.
Mentors may grant excused absences for a reasonable period, not to exceed
13 days per training year. Travel
During training assignments, trainees will be eligible for the following
specific travel allowances:
- Interview Process: Travel and lodging will be paid by the NHLBI for
candidates invited for interviews.
- Training Period: NHLBI will pay for two round-trip fares per year
to Bethesda, Maryland, from the trainee's actual residence. The training
period must be for a minimum of 10 weeks to qualify for a paid trip.
- Scientific Meetings: Allowances for expenses to attend scientific
meetings will be made at the discretion of the mentor and Laboratory/Branch
Chief. Travel requests should be submitted in accordance with the established
Laboratory/Branch procedures. All scientific meetings must be related
to the mission of the NHLBI and/or directly related to the BRTPUG training
program in order to be sponsored by the NHLBI.
Training
During on-site training assignments and at the discretion of the mentor
and Laboratory/Branch Chief, trainees may receive up to $850 per year for
government-sponsored training courses. The training must take place at the
Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the NIH or local academic
institutions. Support for special training opportunities may be considered
on an as needed basis.
Training opportunities should be:
- directly related to the purpose of the BRTPUG, and
- approved by the trainee’s mentor and Administrative Officer
well in advance of the date of the training course.
The government-sponsored training assistance is available only to those
trainees who have activated their fellowship and are currently working
on-site at NIH.
The Biomedical Research Training Program for Individuals from Underrepresented
Groups (BRTPUG) is authorized by the Public Health Service Act as amended
by the 1993 NIH Revitalization Act, which authorizes the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute to conduct appropriate intramural training and
education programs, including continuing education, and laboratory and clinical
research training programs. The BRTPUG is implemented by 42 CFR, Part 61,
Subpart A, for fellowships at the National Institutes of Health for training
in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of public health
significance, including heart, lung, and blood diseases. The primary use
of the information provided in this application will be to determine your
eligibility for this program and for statistical tracking purposes. Disclosures
will be made to Institute intramural and extramural staff who have a need
to know in order to determine your eligibility to participate in the program.
Completing this application is voluntary, however, failure to do so may
result in not being considered for selection.
Discrimination Prohibited: Under provisions of applicable public laws
enacted by Congress since 1964, no person in the United States shall,
on the grounds of race, color, national origin, handicap, or age, be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity (or, on the basis of sex, with respect to
any education program or activity) receiving Federal financial assistance.
In addition, Executive Order 11141 prohibits discrimination on the basis
of age by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of Federal
contracts, Executive Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor
may discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because
of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and Executive Order
13087 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Therefore,
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must be operated in compliance
with these laws and Executive Orders.
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