I understand that it’s generally best to first select a mentor from NIH, and later a co-mentor from Karolinska. Where can I find a list of potential mentors at NIH? Can I contact them directly?
A list of NIH scientists that have expressed specific interest to act as mentors for this program can be found at: http://gpp.nih.gov/Applicants/ProspectiveStudents/Karolinska/Researchers.htm.

However, many unlisted faculty may be eager to have graduate students. To find out more about anyone listed at the abovementioned web site, or other potential mentors, use the following web site with a general listing of neuroscience faculty at NIH, their research interests, and a description of their labs: http://neuroscience.nih.gov

NIH has a large number of postdoctoral trainees but a relatively small number of graduate students. For this reason, scientists at NIH are eager to hear from potential graduate students. Please email or call them with information about yourself, your interests, and whether they would be interested in being a mentor to you in this NIH- Karolinska program. Please refer them to this web page for further description of the program.

How can I identify a co-mentor from the Karolinska?
As a rule, it’s best to first identify a mentor at NIH. Then, working with that mentor, select potential co-mentors from the Karolinska. However, this program is quite flexible and it may, at times, work well in reverse order. In any case, a list of KI faculty interested in being co-mentors can be found at: http://www.neuro.ki.se/gtn//NIH.html Hit “Group Leaders”

How long is the PhD Program?
The PhD should be completed in four, but no more than five, years.

How much time should I spend at each institution?
As a general goal, the student should spend approximately half their time at each institution. As an upper limit, 75% is allowed at the NIH.  To maintain funding from NIH throughout the four to five years of training, at least 50% of the student’s time must be at the NIH. This time could certainly include large blocks (e.g., 1-2 years to complete a major component of the work), as well as shorter visits to complete smaller experimental components at one institution or to take courses.

How can I keep my mentor and co-mentor coordinated for the successful completion of my PhD dissertation?
The NIH mentor and Karolinska co-mentor will agree to serve in this capacity after a specific research plan is proposed and both endorse the merit and utility of such a project as a joint collaboration between labs. The research plan should outline what components of the project to be performed at each institution with a proposed timeline of effort. To enhance communication, regular telephone conference calls and routine emails (with Cc: to mentor, co-mentor, and student) should be established.

Is a stipend provided?
A stipend paid by the Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) is provided for four (or maximum of five) years. The first year stipend for graduate students at the NIH with no prior research experience is ~$24,800 for the 2006–2007 academic year.  A higher stipend may be provided for an individual with one year or more of full time research after their BS/BA degree. Small increments are scheduled for subsequent years. In addition to the stipend, FAES medical insurance is also provided each year. The first year stipend, medical insurance, and travel ($3,000) are paid by the Graduate Partnerships Program. The NIH mentor is responsible for these costs in all future years, including time spent at KI.

Are funds provided to support travel?
In addition to the stipend, a total of $3,000 per annum is provided for travel between the two institutions. These funds are available on an annual “use it or lose it” basis and do not carry forward.  Travel arrangements between NIH and Karolinska are arranged for students by the NIH administrative officers.

Does the Karolinska charge tuition or laboratory fees to students or their mentors?
No, as a national university of Sweden, the Karolinska does not charge tuition.

How can I arrange housing in Bethesda and Stockholm?
The Graduate Partnerships Program’s office is available to help you find housing in the Bethesda area (301-594-9605). In addition, a useful web site for housing is:
http://www.recgov.org/housing/housing.html

Housing at the Karolinska is generally off campus. A graduate student office at the Karolinska (comparable to the GPP at NIH) is available to help find student housing. Public transportation in Stockholm is excellent. Thus, students often live close to and use public transportation.

Does the NIH have a Graduate Student activities office?
The graduate students at NIH (approximately 370 and rapidly growing) use the numerous workshops and activities for graduate students sponsored by the Graduate Partnerships Program athttp://gpp.nih.gov and also have an organized Graduate Student Council to represent their academic interests and to foster social interactions. For more information, see the following web site: http://gpp.nih.gov/GraduateStudents/GraduateStudentCouncil/ and http://gpp.nih.gov.