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Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32)

The NCI Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows F32 Award supports promising postdoctoral applicants who have the potential to become productive and successful independent cancer research investigators.

NCI requires a clear cancer focus in research training and gives funding priority to applications whose primary sponsor has cancer-related R01, or R01-like, peer-reviewed research grants at the time of application and the time of the award. For the NCI F32 Award, R01-like research funding includes peer-reviewed research grants from other federal sources and private foundations with a duration of at least 3 years with a minimum of $150,000 direct costs per year. The primary sponsor is expected to maintain such grant support during the project period. Grants under a no-cost extension do not qualify.

Reminder to NCI F32 Fellowship Awardees:

Individual NCI F32 fellowship awards are made for training at a specific institution under the guidance of a particular sponsor. Prior approval by NCI is required for a transfer of the award to another institution, a change in the primary sponsor or a significant project change. If the primary sponsor plans to be absent for a continuous period of more than 3 months, an interim sponsor must be named by the institution and approved in writing by NCI.

For more complete information, reference the Program Announcement PA-21-048 (F32 Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship) and/or contact the program staff.

Applicant Eligibility

Citizenship

At the time of the award, the candidate must be:

  • a citizen of the United States,
  • or a noncitizen national,
  • or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident.

Citizenship or green card is not needed to apply. Citizenship or green card is needed at the time of award issuance.
Foreign Nationals with Student Visas Not eligible for this award
Degree/Academic Appointment Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellows
Geographic Location F32 Fellows may request support for training abroad; clear scientific justification is required, including the reasons why the facilities, the sponsor, and/or other aspects of the proposed experience are more appropriate than training in a domestic setting.
Effort Level/ Commitment At least 40 hours per week, full-time effort, to the training program
Duration of the Award Up to 3 years; the F32 Award is not renewable

Budget

Financial Support

# of Years
Postdoctoral
Experience		 Stipend for FY 2020

0

$52,704

1

$53,076

2

$53,460

3

$55,596

4

$57,456

5

$59,580

6

$61,100

7 or more

$64,008

Tuition, Fees, Training-Related Expenses & Health Insurance

Tuition and Fees NCI will pay 60% of the combined amount requested for tuition and fees, up to $4,500 per year.
Tuition and Fees for Each Postdoctoral Trainee in a Formal Degree-Granting Program NCI will pay 60% of the combined amount requested for tuition and fees, up to $16,000 per year.
Training-Related Expenses and Health Insurance

NCI will pay up to $11,850 (in FY20) annually to help defray other research training expenses, such as:
 

  • Health insurance (self-only or family, as applicable)
  • Staff salaries
  • Consultant costs
  • Equipment
  • Research supplies
  • Faculty/staff travel directly related to the research training program

How to Apply

  • Applications must be submitted electronically.
  • Applicants must follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Individual Fellowship Application Guide, as well as the program-specific instructions in  Section IV. of the Program Announcement.
  • When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.
  • Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Application Receipt Dates and Review Schedule

Receipt Cycle Receipt Date: Application, Resubmission Initial Review Date Council Review Date Earliest Possible Start Date*

1 

 April 8 June/July September/October December

2 

 August 8 October/November January/February April

3 

 December 8 February/March May/June July

* Start dates are determined by the availability of NCI funds and may not occur until well after the earliest possible start date.

Applications are due by 5pm local time.

When a standard submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Review and Selection Process

The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) review applications for completeness and for conformance to all eligibility requirements and special provisions and requirements. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.

For review criteria for the F32 grant mechanism, see the Review Criteria section of the Program Announcement.

Resources

NCI Staff Contacts

For additional information regarding policies and/or guidance in preparing an application, contact:

For assistance with xTrain, contact:

For technical issues with xTrain, contact the eRA Service Desk

For information regarding fiscal and/or budget issues, contact:

For information regarding referral and review issues, contact:

  • Referral Officer
    Division of Extramural Activities
    Phone: 240-276-6390
  • Updated: