1. NIH F Applications and You
Steps for BGS students applying for individual predoctoral NRSAs*
*Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards

2. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Reasons to apply
Helps jump start dissertation research
Grant writing experience is valuable
Great award/honor on your CV
~$2,750 for lab supplies, travel
Benefits mentor: frees up research grant funds for other uses
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3. 3 types of indiv. predoc. NRSAs
F30: for MD/PhD and other CDs
F31: to promote Diversity
F31: for Dissertation research related to particular institutes of NIH
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4. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
F30 MD/PhD, VMD/PhD, etc.
Up to 6 years of support, excluding other NRSA (e.g., MSTP or other TG) support
Ideal time to apply: upon picking thesis lab
Note that not all institutes participate; check the list to see if any are relevant to your research
Deadlines: 4/8, 8/8, 12/8
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5. F30 Participating Institutes
National Institute on Aging (NIA), ( National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), ( National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), ( National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), ( National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), ( National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), ( National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH), ( National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ( National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), ( Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), (
National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) has its own F30 Program Announcement:
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6. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
F31 Diversity
Up to 5 years of support, excluding other NRSA support (from training grants)
Ideal time to apply: once you have identified your research interests, can be as early as your first year
Virtually all NIH institutes participate
Deadlines: 4/13, 8/13, 12/13
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7. F31 Diversity Participating Insts.
National Cancer Institute (NCI), ( National Eye Institute (NEI), ( National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), ( National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), ( National Institute on Aging (NIA), ( National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), ( /) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), ( National Inst. of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), ( National Inst. of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), ( National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), ( National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), ( National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), ( National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), ( National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), ( National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), ( National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ( National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), ( National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), ( National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), ( National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), ( Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), (
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8. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
F31 Dissertation
Up to 5 years of support
Ideal time to apply: after starting dissertation research
Note that not all institutes participate; check the list to see if any are relevant to your research (most BGS students with these awards are NGG or PHRM)
Deadlines: 4/8, 8/8, 12/8
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Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania

9. F31 Dissertation Participating Insts.
National Institute on Aging (NIA),  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),  National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD),  National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)  National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),  National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),  National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM),  Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), 
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10. Application Info & Resources
F Kiosk:
Select appropriate F30 or F31 program announcement here
SF424 (R&R):
Individual Fellowship Application Guide
Forms:
Marianne (below) will send you a partially pre-populated pdf to complete
For fellowship-specific biosketch and reference form, go to:
Marianne Williams, Finance Office
-- for BGS, MD-PhD, and VMD-PhD students
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11. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
General
All done via eRA Commons of Grants.gov
Contact Marianne to set up your account
Marianne will fill out basics of the forms for you, e.g., budget, previous NRSA support, etc.
Although electronic submission began in 2009, successful NRSA applicants from before 2009 are available for general advice; contact the Graduate Student Center or Marianne for student mentors
Your advisor and graduate group chair (and CD director if applicable) are great resources
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12. Identifying the institute
Determine which institute(s) of NIH is the best fit for your project (discuss this with your PI)
Contact the fellowship program officer at the institute(s) by phone to discuss your proposal and how it might fit with the institute’s scientific goals; see numbers on p. I-3 of the Application Guide
Prepare a cover letter to be submitted with your proposal that refers to the conversation and the program officer by name (part of “Other Attachments”)
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13. Once you have your partially-completed forms from Marianne
Complete the highlighted sections; ask Marianne if you have any questions
Note that YOU are the PI; enter your name, contact info., and use special fellowship biosketch
Your mentor is the Senior/Key Person 1, aka Sponsor; enter his/her info. and biosketch
If your mentor is a junior faculty member, you might benefit from a Co-Sponsor (a tenured faculty member with relevant research and training experience)
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14. Research Training Plan
10 page limit, including figures, charts, tables, and diagrams: combine sections before uploading to monitor length
Pay close attention to instructions on font, headers (none), page numbers (none), etc.
Get early input from advisor & GG chair!
1. Intro (resubmissions only)
2. Specific Aims
3. Background and Significance
4. Preliminary Studies/Progress Report
5. Research Design & Methods
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15. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Other Components
Human Subjects (Y/N): From Mentor
Vertebrate Animals (Y/N): From Mentor
Resource Sharing Plan: From Mentor
Respective Contributions: See sample on next page
Selection of Sponsor and Institution: Write a paragraph on each
Responsible Conduct of Research:
Finance Office provides latest BGS version
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Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania

16. Respective Contributions - sample
This proposal is an extension of my candidacy exam. I am primarily responsible for the ideas and experiments outlined in this document. Through discussions with my sponsor, Dr. __________, I was able to focus my hypothesis and refine my experimental approach to maximize feasibility. I prepared this document independently but consulted with Dr. ____ for suggestions before finalizing the proposal. Figure 2 is the work of a former undergraduate student, ____ . I will perform the described experiments independently. I will seek guidance from Dr. ____ when interpreting data and troubleshooting experiments.
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17. Candidate Information
Degree Sought and Field of Training
Current/Prior NRSA Support: Finance Office provides
Applications for Concurrent Support (Y/N)
Goals for Fellowship Training [Attach]: See instructions; up to 2 page; make sure goals relate to institute’s goals
Activities Planned Under Award [Attach]: Brief table, usually indicating 100% research
Doctoral Diss/Research Exper [Attach]: Important to describe previous research experience, including rotations, as well as dissertation info.; see instructions; up to 2 pages
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18. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Other Components
Budget:
Finance Office will provide
Appendix:
Optional – not clear what if anything needs to be provided here for F applications
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19. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Research & Related
Project/Performance Site Location(s):
Use your lab address
Other Project Information: See instructions
Misc. Y/N Questions
Project Summary/Abstract [Attach]
Project Narrative [Attach]
Bibliography & References Cited [Attach]
Other Attachments: See next slide
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20. Research & Related, Cont.
Other Project Information, Cont.
Other Attachments
Sponsor Page (Details on Next Slide)
Cover letter requesting assignment [Attach]
List of Referees [Attach]
Training Potential [Attach]
Additional Education Info. [Attach]:
Any grades or test scores not listed on biosketch
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21. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Sponsor
Sponsor Page of “Other Attachments”
Research Support Available [Attach]
Previous Trainees [Attach]
Training Plan, Environment & Research Facilities [Attach]
# of Trainees Supervised During Fellowship [Attach]
Applicant’s Qualifications and Potential for Research Career [Attach]
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22. Additional “Other Attachments”
If a Diversity applicant, letter from BGS Director [Attach]
If an F30 applicant, statement on institutional environment and commitment to training
(Skip Brass letter available from MD/PhD office)
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23. Letters of Recommendation (3-5)
NOT mentor/sponsor (since s/he writes statement about your qualifications in the grant)
Usually the graduate group chair, CD head and/or program chair (if applicable), rotation advisor, thesis committee member, or faculty research collaborator
Must use fellowship-specific form and be submitted electronically
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24. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Steps to Take
≥30 days prior to deadline:
Contact Finance Office,
Provide sponsor with link and forms; graduate group chair can help with info. about training
Get 3 referees on board; make sure they use the required form
≥ 10 days prior to deadline:
Complete your forms & attachments
Have your advisor review application
≥ 3 days prior to deadline:
Everything in final form for Univ. review
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25. Grant Application Package
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26. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Application Page 1
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27. Biomedical Graduate Studies University of Pennsylvania
Application Page 2
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28. RESEARCH & RELATED: Senior Key Person Profile (Expanded)
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29. PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
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30. PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form, cont.
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31. PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form, Cont.
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32. RESEARCH & RELATED: Project/ Performance Site Location(s)
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33. RESEARCH & RELATED Other Project Information
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34. 11. Other Attachments, detail
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