Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program
The NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program’s overarching goal is to provide high quality postdoctoral research training in the basic biomedical sciences to a diverse group of postdoctoral fellows in NIH Intramural research laboratories, and to prepare them for leadership positions in biomedical careers. Research projects proposed should focus on areas within the NIGMS mission, which include but are not limited to biological chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, cellular and molecular biology, computational biosciences, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, and technology development. In addition to the laboratory experience, the PRAT program provides a structured training environment with extensive career and professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities planned and supported by the program.
Up to 3 years
NIGMS PRAT fellows are supported by the NIH Intramural Research and Training Award (IRTA) mechanism and are provided stipends as a subsistence allowance to help defray living expenses during the research and clinical training experiences.
Stipend levels are competitive and are eligible for a specialty allowance, commensurate with experience and the selection process for this fellowship. NIH will adjust stipends on the anniversary date of the fellowship to ensure consistency with the stipend level in effect at that time.
More information about the IRTA mechanism in general and the most recent stipend levels can be found at the following link: http://oma1.od.nih.gov/manualchapters/person/2300-320-7/
Graduate students/postdoctoral scientists applying for this fellowship will apply as the PD/PI – multiple PDs/PIs are not allowed. Any applicant fellow with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with her/his sponsor and organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.
By the time of award, the individual must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).
As this is a postdoctoral fellowship, eligible individuals must have completed a doctoral degree by the time of entrance into the program (doctoral students who will complete their degree by the time of entrance into the program are strongly encouraged to apply). In accordance with the policy of NIH Office of Intramural Research, individuals appointed to postdoctoral training positions using the Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) must have no more than five years of relevant research experience since receipt of their most recent doctoral degree.
Additionally, individuals may only be supported on the IRTA mechanism for a maximum of 5 years, only 3 of which can be via the PRAT fellowship. Individuals currently in postdoctoral IRTA appointments in the NIH Intramural Research Program should plan to submit their applications early in their appointment so that they have accumulated no more than 24 months of training on the IRTA mechanism before entrance into the PRAT program.