The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30). This funding opportunity is designed to support students who are enrolled in institutions with NIH-supported Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP), Dental Scientist Training Programs (DSTP), or other similar predoctoral dual-degree training programs. The purpose of the program is to enhance the integrated research and clinical training of predoctoral students pursuing dual-degree programs such as MD/PhD, DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, AuD/PhD, or DVM/PhD, with the goal of fostering their development into independent physician/clinician-scientists.

The NRSA F30 fellowship provides funding to predoctoral students to support both their mentored dissertation research training and clinical training. Candidates must propose an integrated research and clinical training plan in scientific health-related fields that align with the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The research focus must not involve leading an independent clinical trial but may include experience in a clinical trial led by a sponsor or co-sponsor. The program aims to equip candidates with a strong foundation in rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative approaches, and data analysis while facilitating their transition to postdoctoral programs or residency.

The funding mechanism is a grant-based support structure that provides up to six years of aggregate funding, including any combination of institutional training grants and individual fellowship awards. The award budget covers stipends, tuition and fees, and an institutional allowance for fellowship-related expenses such as health insurance, research supplies, equipment, books, and travel. Indirect costs are not included, as administrative costs are covered by the institutional allowance. The number of awards granted depends on NIH appropriations and the quality of applications received.

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a dual-degree predoctoral program at an institution with NIH-funded institutional training programs. Candidates must have a baccalaureate degree, demonstrate high academic performance in the sciences, and show commitment to a research career as a physician-scientist or clinician-scientist. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents. Candidates must have identified a dissertation research project and at least one primary sponsor who is an active investigator in the area of the proposed research training.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and eRA Commons and must follow the NIH application guidelines, including submission via the NIH ASSIST system or an institutional system-to-system solution. The application must include a detailed research training plan, a description of the institutional environment, a timeline for completion, and sponsor credentials. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization on scheduled NIH standard due dates. The next available due date is April 8, 2025. The expiration date for this opportunity is May 7, 2025.

Applications will undergo scientific peer review by NIH’s review committees, with evaluations based on criteria such as candidate potential, quality of the research training plan, sponsor qualifications, and institutional support. Reviewers will also assess compliance with human subjects research protections, inclusion of diverse populations, use of vertebrate animals, biohazards, and adherence to NIH policies on data management and sharing. Following review, applications will be subject to final funding decisions based on scientific merit, availability of funds, and alignment with NIH priorities.

For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to consult the Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements, and Staff Contacts provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Assistance with application submission and technical support is available through the eRA Service Desk and Grants.gov Customer Support. Additional programmatic questions can be directed to NIH Grants Information at GrantsInfo@nih.gov or by phone at 301-480-7075.