Training and Career Development Grant Programs
NIAID uses the following programs to develop and support the next generation of biomedical researchers — people just entering graduate school, finishing their doctorates, or coming in from other fields. These awards enable promising scientists to gain education and experience. We award some grants to people, while others go to specific projects or educational institutions.
Training Grants (T)
National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) and Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant (T35) provide domestic, nonprofit, and private or public graduate-level academic institutions with funds for training predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates.
Fellowship Grants (F)
NIH awards National Research Service Award (NRSA) individual fellowship grants to provide research experience to students and scientists at various stages of their careers.
Career Development Awards (K)
NIAID offers career development awards, which enable scientists with diverse backgrounds to enhance their careers in biomedical research. Mentored K awards can also have positive effects on your publication record and subsequent receipt of NIH grants.
Loan Repayment Programs
NIH Loan Repayment Programs help M.D.s and some other doctoral-level professionals pursue research careers by repaying qualifying educational debt.
Research Supplements
Research supplements add funds to an existing grant to increase the participation of scientists from underrepresented groups in biomedical research. Supplements also help promising researchers return to a scientific career.
To help you decide which award best suits your needs, use our career stage timelines. They show the grants that might be appropriate for where you are on the Ph.D. or M.D. track.
Before you apply for an NIAID fellowship or mentored career development award, you’ll need to find a principal investigator (PI) to serve as your mentor throughout the project.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about training and career awards, contact AITrainingHelpDesk@niaid.nih.gov