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

Background
The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It aims to ensure a highly trained and diverse pool of scientists to address the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. This fellowship supports promising predoctoral students in obtaining individualized, mentored research training while conducting dissertation research projects in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers.

Grant Details
The NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) allows candidates to propose a research project and training plan that aligns with their career goals in scientific health-related fields. The training plan must enhance the candidate's potential to transition into an independent research career. The fellowship does not permit candidates to lead independent clinical trials but allows for participation in trials led by a sponsor or co-sponsor. Key components of the mentored research training include:

- A strong foundation in rigorous research design
- Enhancement of conceptual thinking skills
- Experience with state-of-the-art methods
- Opportunities for presenting and publishing findings
- Interaction with the scientific community
- Skills necessary for career advancement.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits, for-profit organizations, governments, and foreign entities. Candidates must be enrolled in a PhD or equivalent program in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. They must identify a sponsoring organization with appropriate resources for their proposed research training.

Period of Performance
Individuals may receive up to 5 years of aggregate NRSA support at the predoctoral level (up to 6 years for dual degree training).

Grant Value
The total value of the grant includes stipends, tuition and fees, and institutional allowances as determined annually by NIH policies. Specific stipend levels are provided on the NIH NRSA webpage.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed at institutions that have appropriate human and technical resources available for conducting the proposed research training.