NIH Research Training Opportunities for Minorities
Research Supplements in the Behavioral and Social Sciences
APPLICANT INFORMATION (STUDENTS/POSTDOCS/JUNIOR FACULTY MEMBERS)
What is the purpose of this website?
The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences (OBSSR) designed this website to expand the promotion efforts of the research supplement training program. Furthermore, the OBSSR and NIH seek to ensure a concentration of researchers who will address behavioral and social factors that are important in improving the public's health, especially among minority populations. This website creates a link between minority students and faculty and the research training opportunities available through the NIH Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities program. In addition, it establishes a central resource for students and faculty, as well as researchers, seeking information on NIH research training opportunities in the behavioral and social sciences. The creation of this site is also in line with Congressional interest in increasing the number of behavioral science training opportunities available to minority students (U.S. House Report 105-635).
Who funds me?
A principal investigator (mentor) will provide funding through a research supplement to his or her existing grant awarded by one of the NIH Institutes.
How do I search for a mentor?
This is a self-search system, which means that you enter data to help find the research training opportunity that is right for you. You select a Principal Investigator (mentor) with whom you would like to work based upon his/her research area, geographic location, and opportunities available through the mentoring process. Because principal investigators can only apply for one research supplement at a time, you may have to search the database more than once to find a mentor.
Who is eligible to participate?
You can participate in the program if you are an underrepresented student either at the High School, college or graduate level, a postdoc, or a junior faculty member and are interested in pursuing a health research career. Underrepresented minority students and investigators are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Underrepresented minority students are defined by the particular grantee institution, but priority is given to projects involving African American, Hispanic American, Native American and Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders. You must be a citizen, non-citizen national of the U.S, or be lawfully admitted to permanent residence at the time of application. Additionally you should be: 1) You should be in good academic standing at your institution, 2) considering or actively pursuing a research career in the behavioral and/or social sciences, and 3) motivated and responsible because you will become an integral part of an ongoing, federally-funded research project.
How long does the process take?
The entire process may take several months. First you identify a potential mentor and send your application. Once you submit your application to a mentor it may take 2-3 weeks for him or her to get back to you. He or she may ask you for additional information. If it appears that it is a good match, then the mentor may apply to the awarding NIH Institute for a research supplement to his/her existing grant. The research supplements are available throughout the year, and do not require a formal application. Turn-around time on the request is generally 8 weeks.
How much is the supplement worth?
Payment varies upon prior experiences, but Principal Investigators will provide you with a reasonable wage for your work. In certain circumstances, Principal Investigators are provided with funds for your tuition, fees, supplies, and travel. For more information please go to: research supplements.
Where are the projects located and how long are the training programs?
The research projects are located all over the country and involve cutting-edge research activities. The support can last a summer or up to four years, depending on the applicant's level of expertise. The research projects are updated regularly, so periodic visits to this site are recommended.
Can only behavioral and/or social scientist researchers participate?
This website is intended to help promote the development of ethnic minority researchers who are interested in health related behavioral and/or social sciences. All of the listed mentors have a behavioral and/or social sciences focus in their research. However, if you are interested in biomedical research please go to: http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdev/pbopporte.html#pbinitiativestu
To whom do I submit my application?
You should submit your application directly to the mentor with whom you would like to work.
What happens once my application is submitted?
Once your application is submitted the mentor will review it and contact you for further information. Please allow for 2-3 weeks.
With what types of research projects can I become involved?
These research projects range from studies of children to research on older adults, from laboratory research to field research, from social research to a combination of biological and behavioral research.
Who sees the information I submit?
Your participation in this project is voluntary. There are no penalties for visiting this site and not applying or responding to the questions asked on the information forms. NIH will not maintain personal information on applicants. NIH will only maintain data on the number of people visiting the site and individual pages, the number of people completing mentoring and application forms, and group-level demographic data on applicants. The only people who will see the information you send are the mentors that you have chosen to apply to.
What are the steps involved in becoming an applicant?