Institutional Programs

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• T32 - Institutional NRSA Training Grants
• K12 - Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Grants
• R25 - Research Education Grants

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T32 - Institutional NRSA Training Grants

The NINDS supports two types of T32 Institutional Training Grants: 1) The NINDS Institutional Research Training Grant Program, and 2) The Jointly Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN).

The Guide for Understanding NINDS Institutional Training Grant (T32) Application and Their Review provides general information about all NINDS T32 programs. T32 programs at NINDS also have a very important role to play in expanding the diversity of the workforce. The Role of NINDS T32 Programs in Training a Diverse Workforce Guide explains NINDS expectations for T32 programs with regard to diversity issues and also provides information about opportunities available to T32 programs that can aid in diversity recruitment and retention.

1. The NINDS Institutional Research Training Grant

   
   

   This training program will support advanced predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.  All applications to this program should have a central focus or a theme.  The theme may be as broad or as narrow as deemed appropriate by the applicant institution, but should be more focused than, for example, "training in neuroscience." Funds should be used to support novel and/or expanded training experiences and activities, rather than to simply support trainees to conduct research.  As in the past, a portion of NINDS training grants may be reserved for clinical research training projects or projects focused on a particular disorder or group of disorders. Moreover, preference may be given to programs that focus on support of trainees with an MD or health professional degree, or to programs that integrate basic and clinical research training.

   Awards will typically be made for a maximum of 4 trainee slots per year, although an exception may be made in rare circumstances for up to 8 slots. Those interested in applying for more than 4 slots of support per year are advised to contact the Director, Office of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity. Applicants may request support for advanced (dissertation stage) predoctoral Ph.D. and M.D. students, postdoctoral fellows, or a mix of both. Applications must specify the anticipated predoctoral to postdoctoral ratio. After a training grant has been awarded, T32 directors who wish to make changes in this ratio must obtain prior approval of the Director, Office of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity. If the original application requested support exclusively for either pre-doctoral or postdoctoral trainees, the general policy will be to not allow trainees in another category to receive support (as such support has not been through the peer review process). However, exceptions are possible and will require that additional information be provided for administrative review and prior approval.

   For an expanded explanation of NINDS policies for this program, please refer to NOT-NS-09-003.
   
   List of currently active Institutional T32 programs
   

   • Application Receipt Date: May 25. Note: All applications must be submitted electronically.
   • See NIH Program Announcement: PA-11-184.
   • Application Form SF 424.
   • T32 Data Tables: The electronic instructions and downloadable word forms for the 12 required data tables can be found here. Note: In the application, please include all the 12 required data tables as a single word file on form PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan (see section 8.7 in the SF 424 instructions for more information).
   • NRSA FY2012 Stipend Levels: NOT-OD-12-033
   • Consolidation of Review Criteria for Institutional Research Training Grant Applications (T32) Submitted for FY 2010 Funding (NOT-OD-09-074)
   • A letter of intent is NOT required for this program.

   
   
   

2. The Jointly Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN)
   
   

   This training program supports only predoctoral students, during the first two years in a PHD program.  It cannot be used to support students who have passed candidacy for the PHD.  The program is jointly sponsored by NIA, NIAAA, NICHD, NIDA, NIGMS, NIMH, and NINDS. The aim of this program is to encourage broad research exposure in the neurosciences to students in the early stage of their predoctoral training.  If you are interested in applying to this program, please see additional information on the JSPTPN website.
   
   List of currently active JSPTPN T32 programs
   

   • Application Receipt Date: May 25. Note: All applications must be submitted electronically.
   • See NIH Program Announcement: PAR-12-084
   • Application Form SF 424
   • T32 Data Tables: The electronic instructions and downloadable word forms for the 12 required data tables can be found here. Note: In the application, please include all the 12 required data tables as a single word file on form PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan (see section 8.7 in the SF 424 instructions for more information).
   • NRSA FY2012 Stipend Levels: NOT-OD-12-033
   • Applicants for the JSPTPN program should submit a letter of intent by April 25 to Stephen Korn, Ph.D., Director, Office of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity korns@ninds.nih.gov, 301-496-4188).

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K12 - Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Grants

The NINDS currently participates in the following programs:

1. Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA)
   
   The Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA) (K12) is an award to an educational institution or professional organization to facilitate and support career development experiences for pediatric neurologists leading to research independence. This is a continuation of the original NSADA program, which was initiated by NINDS in October 1992. Under this award, newly trained pediatric neurologists are to be selected and appointed to this program by the grantee institution. It is expected that individuals appointed to the NSADA program will subsequently apply for their own Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08), the Mentored Patient-Oriented Career Development Award (K23), an NINDS Research Scientist Development Award (K02) or an R01, to continue their research training (see "Research Objectives")

   List of currently active K12 programs:

   • See NIH Program Announcement: PAR-13-362.
   • Application Form SF 424
   • New Application Receipt Dates: December 11, 2013, October 12, 2014, October 12, 2015
     
   
   
   
2. Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP)
   
   The Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP) (K12) is an award to an educational institution or professional organization to facilitate and support a national program of mentored advanced research career development for junior neurosurgeon faculty at institutions nationwide that support neurological research.  The goal of the program is to increase the cadre of neurosurgeon investigators trained to conduct research into neurological disorders, making use of their neurosurgical training.  This research career development program should promote high quality, novel, creative research and innovative investigation by this cohort of individuals who possess unique clinical and research skills.  As a result of training in this program, highly skilled neurosurgeons should be prepared to develop a successful, independent, well-funded research program, which they will combine with their clinical neurosurgery career to advance the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.  This FOA will fund, up to a maximum of 5 years, the administration and infrastructure of one NRCDP.  It uses the K12 Career Development mechanism, to be overseen by a national cohort of renowned basic and clinical investigators, to support the career development of neurosurgeon-researchers at institutions around the country).
   

   List of currently active K12 neurosurgeon programs:
   

   • See NIH Program Announcement: RFA-NS-12-008.
   • Application Form SF 424
   • New Application Receipt Date: November 17, 2011
     

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R25 - Research Education Grants

The NINDS currently participates in the following four programs:

1. NIH Summer Research Experience Programs

   
   The NIH Summer Research Experience Program is an award to provide high quality research experience for students during the summer academic break.  Programs that specifically provide opportunities for members of diversity groups and students who might not otherwise have access to outstanding laboratory experiences may be given priority.
   
   
   • NINDS will provide support for high school and/or college students.  NINDS will not provide support for science teachers.
   • See NIH Program Announcements: PAR-13-104
   • Application Form SF 424.
     
     
     
     

2. NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuropathology and Neuroradiology

   
   List of currently active R25 programs
   
   The purpose of the program is to support the development and/or implementation of programs that relate to research education and training of clinical residents and fellows to foster careers as physician-scientists.
   
   
   • 2013 - Instructions for Administrative Supplement Requests
     

        Previous RFAs:

            2011 - NIH Program Announcement: RFA-NS-12-003

            2009 - NIH Program Announcement: RFA-NS-10-002

            2008 - NIH Program Announcement: RFA-NS-09-001
   
   
   
   

3. NINDS Neuroscience Development for Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce

   
   The goal is to support NINDS mission relevant programs to: (1) increase the pool of Ph.D.-level research scientists from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research who are neuroscience researchers (participation is limited to graduate, post-doctoral and/or junior-faculty career levels only); and (2) facilitate career advancement/transition of the participants to the next step of their neuroscience careers. The first receipt date is Jan 25, 2014 – applications are only accepted once a year
   
   
   • See NIH Program Announcements: PAR-13-256
   • Application Form SF 424.
     
     
     
     

4. Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences

   This program is CLOSED.   Please visit the following site for current ENDURE undergraduate training sites and additional information about current activities:

   http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/bp_nih-supported_training/endure_programs.htm

   The purpose of the program is to encourage and prepare undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to enter Ph.D. degree programs in the neurosciences.
   

   • See NIH Program Announcement: RFA-MH-10-070
   • Application Form SF 424
     
     
     
     

5. NINDS Research Education Opportunities

   This research education program supports neuroscience research education programs in all areas (basic, clinical and translational) that will significantly advance the mission of NINDS. Programs of interest to NINDS will be designed to include participants drawn from a national audience (programs intended for a local or regional audience are not appropriate for this announcement). Programs must provide a critical educational experience not already available at a local or national level. Such research education programs might include courses that bring together national and international leaders in a field, or multiple fields, to provide intellectual, technical, theoretical and/or practical knowledge to trainees, to promote the conduct of cutting edge scientific inquiry. Alternatively, research education programs might include narrowly focused courses that provide an in-depth understanding of, and practical experience with, a research process, such as that required for a technology-driven research area, clinical trial design or pre-clinical, translational research. Regardless of focus, it is anticipated that programs submitted to this FOA will involve hands-on, practical experience as significant part of the program.

   Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss potential programs with the NINDS Director of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity
   

   • See NIH Program Announcement: PAR-13-240
   • Application Form SF 424
     
     
     

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