Marsha F Lopez, PhD, MHS

On the Path to a Research Career at theNational Institutes of HealthMarsha F Lopez, PhD, MHSNational Institute on Drug Abuselopezmar@nida.nih.gov

NIH Structure and Function• Component of the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services• Comprised of 27 Institutes and Centers• Science in pursuit of fundamental knowledgeabout the nature and behavior of living systemsand the application of that knowledge to extendhealthy life and reduce the burdens of illness anddisability

National Research Service AwardPredoctoral Fellowships• Individual PredoctoralFellowship (F31)• Individual PredoctoralFellowship forMD/PhD Students(F30)• Institutional TrainingGrants (T32)FEATURESDuration – up 5 yrs (F31),6yrs (F30)Mentor – YesStipend – $21,180 PredocTuition, Fees, HealthInsuranceEligibility – U.S. Citizen orNaturalized Resident

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research ServiceAwards for Individual Predoctoral FellowsPurpose is to provide support for promising doctoral candidates who willbe performing dissertation research and training in scientific healthrelatedfields relevant to the mission of NIHhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-111.html•Identify sponsoring institution and work with business official toregister with eRA commons•Identify a sponsor (sometimes called a mentor) who will supervisethe proposed training and research experience.NRSA to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Researchhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-112.html•Participating ICs: NCI, NIA, NIAAA, NIDCD, NIDA, NIDCR, NIMH,NINDS, NCCAM plus 11 others

F31 structure and page limitsSection of ApplicationPage LimitsSpecific Aims 1Research Strategy 6Respective Contributions 1Selection of Sponsor and Institution 1Responsible Conduct of Research 1Applications for Concurrent Support1(when applicable)Goals for Fellowship Training and1CareerActivities Planned Under This Award 1Doctoral Dissertation and Other2Research ExperienceSponsor(s) and Co-Sponsor(s) 6Biographical Sketch 4

Review Scoring Criteria•Fellowship Applicant•Sponsors, Collaborators, and Consultants•Research Training Plan•Training Potential•Institutional Environment & Commitment toTraining•Training in the Responsible Conduct ofResearch

Dissertation Research Awards• R36 Mechanism• Used by some, not allIcs (e.g. NIDA, NIMH,NIA)FEATURESDuration – Up to 2 yearsMentor – NoSupport – $15,000 to 50,000(varies by IC)Renew – NoEligibility – U.S. Citizen orNaturalized Resident

Other Training MechanismsDiversity Supplement• Administrative supplements to fundedgrants to help increase the number ofunderrepresented and disadvantagedscientists in biomedical research; includespersons with disabilities• High School through Investigator levels• Minimum of 2-years remaining on parentaward• Internal IC reviewhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-190.html

Research Opportunities at NIH (1)• The Summer Internship Program (SIP)SIP welcomes eligible high school, college,graduate, and professional students to spend eightto ten weeks conducting biomedical research withNIH investigators.• The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)The UGSP provides up to $20,000 in scholarshipsupport per year to eligible undergraduates whoare pursuing degrees in fields related to biomedicalresearch.

Research Opportunities at NIH (2)• The Postbaccalaureate Intramural ResearchTraining Award (IRTA) ProgramBiomedical research program that enables eligiblerecent college graduates planning to apply tograduate or professional school to spend one ortwo years working with investigators at the NIH.• The Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP)Opportunity to conduct all or part of dissertationresearch at NIH.https://www.training.nih.gov/programs

Which Mechanism Is Right for you?• Stage of research career• What are your research needs- do you need a additional training?- do you need funding to conduct yourdissertation research?Talk with NIDA staff, they can helpmatch your needs to the rightfunding mechanism

Getting to know NIH staffProgram Official: extramural staffscientist responsible fordeveloping research initiativesand for the programmatic,scientific, and/or technicalaspects of assigned applications andgrantsScientific Review Officer: anextramural staff scientist and thefederal official responsible forensuring that applications receivean objective and fair initial peerreview

What is a Concept Paper?A concept paper describes your research plans concisely. It’s atool to facilitate productive discussion with an NIH ProgramOfficialStudy GoalsYou want support to do what?Problem/SignificanceWhy does this topic need study?Research QuestionWhat hypotheses will you test?Design/AnalysisWhat study design and statistical approach do you propose?TeamWho will be the key participants and collaborators?

Where do I begin?Have realistic expectations- the grants processis lengthy and requires persistence•NIH websites: http://www.nih.gov/icd/index.html•Office of Extramural Research Website:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm•Center for Scientific Review Website:http://cms.csr.nih.gov/•NIH RePORThttp://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

•If you areinterested inapplying…•If you havequestions…Consult with programstaff and mentorsevery step of the way

ResourcesApplication Informationhttp://grants1.nih.gov/grants/forms.htmNRSAhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htmhttp://grants.nih.gov/training/F_files_nrsa.htmDiversity Supplementshttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-190.htmlNIDA Training Information (including Update Notices)http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchtraining/traininghome.htmlGuidelines for Mentors at the National institutes of Healthhttp://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/ethic-conduct/guidelines-mentors.htmGuidelines for Trainees at the National Institutes of Healthhttp://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/ethic-conduct/guidelines-trainees.htmGuidelines for Annual Review of Traineeshttp://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/ethic-conduct/guidelines-evaluation.htm