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Get Involved: Community Groups for Trainees and Fellows

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There are many groups for fellows that you can join to help foster a sense of community here at NIH. The groups range from special interest groups to opportunities to gain leadership or helping to advocate for fellows on campus. Many of these groups are hosted by either the National Cancer Institute (NCI) or the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE).

NCI Fellows Groups

These groups are hosted specifically by the National Cancer Institute, and can serve as opportunities to gain leadership and management experiences, as well as extend your network.

CCR Fellows and Young Investigators (FYI) Committee

CCR-FYI enhances the intramural training program, fosters communication among fellows and the CCR research community, and serves as a liaison to CCR senior management on programs affecting the training experience.

All fellows are invited to attend CCR-FYI Steering Committee meetings, which take place on the last (non-holiday) Thursday of the month at 11:00 am (Bethesda: Building 40, Room 1207/1203, Frederick: 549 Conference Room A).

NIH/NCI Fellows Editorial Board

The NIH/NCI Fellows Editorial Board offers fellows a free, confidential scientific document-editing service and gives fellows who join the Board editorial training and experience. Membership in the Editorial Board is open to all NIH or FDA fellows and other professionals upon approval of their supervisors and consultation with the senior editor of the Editorial Board. Previous editorial experience is not required.

NCI Scientists in the Community

The National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Training is launching a science education and outreach program to connect scientists with schools in the community. This program aims to enhance our next generation of scientist's STEM experiences in middle and high school, while empowering teachers to provide high-quality science education.

NIH-Wide Fellows Groups

There are many fellows’ groups both within the NCI and NIH-wide that you can join during your time here. These groups have many leadership positions available and numerous committees on which you can participate.

Fellows Committee (FelCom)

FelCom is comprised of a basic and a clinical fellow representative from each institute of NIH and serves the NIH fellows community through the actions of eight subcommittees and fifteen committee liaisons. The committee discusses areas of concern, the progress of current projects, and receives reports from representatives serving as liaisons. Meetings are open to all NIH fellows and are scheduled for the first Thursday of every month in Building 1: Wilson Hall (3rd Floor).

Graduate Student Council

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) was created with three specific goals: 1) Address and represent the intellectual, social, and living needs of the community of graduate students at the NIH, 2) Foster the development of an interactive and stimulating student environment at NIH by creating a forum for needs to be discussed with the student body, and 3) Serve as a communication pathway by which students as a group may interact with the rest of the NIH community.

The GSC coordinates and sponsors events to enhance the training experience of the NIH graduate students. GSC meetings are held the last non-holiday Tuesday of each month at 5pm in Bldg 10 Rm 1N263 (grad student lounge). All grad students are welcome to visit the meeting to learn about what the Council is doing and to offer ideas and suggestions.

Science Policy Discussion Group

The NIH Science Policy Discussion Group (SPDG) was established in 2009 as a fellow-led and run self-governing organization to bring together fellows with a shared passion for understanding the intersection of scientific research and legislative policy. The purpose of the SPDG is to enhance our knowledge and understanding of science policy and contribute to the public discourse on specific issues of current relevance and public interest.

Space in the group is limited. Members are selected in late August or early September of each year based on a short written statement of intent.

NIH Community Groups

  • Network of African-American Fellows at the NIH (NAAF)
  • NIH - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered - Fellows and Friends (LGBT-FF)
  • The NIH-SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science)
  • Orthodox Jewish Mincha Minyon Notice
  • The Women of Color Research Network
  • NIH Black Scientists and Friends Network
  • Mom-Dad-Docs
  • Bethesda Campus Christian Fellowship
  • NIH American Muslim Professional (NIH-AMP) Group

NIH Visiting Fellows Committee

The NIH Visiting Fellows Committee (NIHVFC) is composed of NIH post-doctoral visiting fellows (VFs) from all around the world. It is a self-governing body serving the interest of visiting fellows in their transition to life at the NIH, by working to make their experience here worthwhile; as well as creating the opportunities for visiting fellows to maintain continuity in their research upon returning to their home countries. NIHVFC also plans to encourage the establishment and maintenance of strong institutional links of VFs with NIH after they complete their training and go back to their home countries.

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