Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32)

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) is a forecasted funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NRSA F32 fellowship program is designed to support promising postdoctoral candidates pursuing mentored research training in scientific and health-related fields. The funding aims to enhance the skills necessary for career advancement and independent research roles by providing financial support during the training phase under the supervision of experienced faculty sponsors. The purpose of this fellowship is to foster the development of research skills in rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation. Applicants must develop and propose a comprehensive research training plan in collaboration with their mentor(s) that demonstrates how the fellowship will significantly contribute to their career goals. The program is highly tailored to the individual’s research interests and aligns with the mission areas of the various NIH Institutes and Centers participating in this funding opportunity. The training project proposed by the fellow should be well integrated with the overarching training goals, illustrating the importance and need for mentored research experience. Key elements of a competitive application include a robust scientific research plan, a tailored training experience, and strong mentorship. The NIH provides this support to ensure a well-prepared workforce capable of advancing biomedical and public health research across numerous specialized fields. This funding opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching contributions. The estimated dates for the formal announcement, application submission deadline, award notification, and project start are all provided. The estimated post date is May 10, 2025, with an application due date of August 8, 2025. Award decisions are anticipated by April 8, 2026, which also serves as the project start date. Eligible applicants for this fellowship include a wide range of organizations, such as private institutions of higher education, state governments, Native American tribal organizations (excluding federally recognized tribes), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding educational institutions), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. These diverse eligibility criteria ensure broad access to the fellowship across multiple sectors of the biomedical research community. For additional details or questions, applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH’s Division of Biomedical Research Workforce. The primary contact information includes an email address (nihtrain@mail.nih.gov) and a phone number (301-496-0180).