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Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)

US National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant open #PA-25-422
Response due May 07, 2028 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

The NIH is offering the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) to support promising predoctoral candidates pursuing research training in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research fields. The award is intended to fund individual doctoral students who require mentored research training leading to a PhD or equivalent research degree. This is a parent program announcement (PA-25-422) open on a rolling basis through May 2028, covering multiple NIH institutes and centers. The fellowship supports the fellow's stipend, tuition, fees, and training-related expenses during the award period.

What they want

The F31 fellowship supports individual predoctoral candidates conducting mentored biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research training at a domestic or foreign institution. Applicants must identify a sponsor/mentor and propose a structured research training plan. The award covers stipends, tuition, institutional allowance, and training-related costs for the duration of the fellowship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis under standard NIH fellowship submission cycles.
Deliverables
  • Mentored predoctoral research training plan
  • Progress reports to NIH
  • Completion of doctoral degree requirements
  • Dissemination of research findings
Key personnel
  • Predoctoral Fellow (applicant/principal investigator)
  • Sponsor/Mentor (faculty mentor at host institution)

How they evaluate

  • Scientific merit of the proposed research training plan
  • Qualifications and potential of the applicant
  • Qualifications and track record of the mentor/sponsor
  • Training environment and institutional resources
  • Responsiveness to NIH mission and program priorities
Submission: Grants.gov federal grants portal (electronic submission)

Eligibility & certifications

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident (for most NIH NRSA fellowships)Must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited doctoral programInstitutional registration in Grants.gov and eRA Commons required

Risks & flags

  • This is a program announcement (PA), not a contract or procurement — it is a federal grant opportunity and may not be relevant to traditional government contracting pursuit.
  • No dollar value or award ceiling is stated, making budget planning difficult.
  • Rolling close date through 2028 suggests a standing program announcement rather than a competitive, time-bounded procurement.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Serv…
Due May 07
Onboard ↗