INRO is intended for medical and science students from populations underrepresented in biomedical research, financially disadvantaged backgrounds, or those with disabilities. Applicants are chosen through a highly competitive evaluation process.
Who is eligible?
INRO is intended for students
- From populations underrepresented in biomedical research, financially disadvantaged backgrounds, or those with disabilities.
- Who are a U.S. citizen or legal resident (green card) residing in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam, or with an I-551 stamp in their passports
Note: Proof of citizenship or residency may be requested.
- With a strong interest in research training in allergy, immunology, or infectious diseases at an NIAID laboratory
- Available in the coming year to participate in an NIAID research training program
- Who are in school full-time in good academic standing, attending a four-year accredited U.S. college or university at the time the INRO application is submitted. Students must be one of the following:
- Medical student with permission from school to conduct research for a year at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Undergraduate senior
- Doctoral candidate nearing dissertation defense
Note: Preference is given to students with a grade point average of 3.5 or above in science course work.
Who are the underrepresented populations?
INRO is designed for students from populations considered to be underrepresented in biomedical research, including
- American Indian or Alaska Native—A person having origins in any of the original people of North and South America (including Central America) who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment
- Black or African American—A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa
- Hispanic/Latino American—A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander—A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands
What is considered a financially disadvantaged background?
An individual from a disadvantaged background is one who comes from a family with an annual income below a level published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for use in all health professions' programs.
What is required as proof of income?
Applicants claiming a financially disadvantaged background must provide copies of their most recent federal tax returns for themselves, their parents (if a dependent), and/or their spouse (if applicable) and must be of "exceptional financial need (EFN)," as defined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register, Vol. 80, No. 51, March 17, 2015. Income levels are updated annually.
Income Levels to Qualify for Financially Disadvantaged Background
| Size of Parent's Family (Includes only dependents listed on Federal income tax forms) | Income Level (Gross income, rounded to the nearest $100) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $23,540 |
| 2 | $31,860 |
| 3 | $40,180 |
| 4 | $48,500 |
| 5 | $56,820 |
| 6 | $65,140 |
| 7 | $73,460 |
| 8 | $81,780 |
What if I don’t think I fit one of the eligibility criteria, are there other training programs for me at NIAID?
NIAID and NIH have a variety of programs to fit the needs of students of all levels. For information on NIAID-specific programs, visit NIAID fellowships, internships, and training, or check out all NIH training programs.
NIAID does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.