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) | PA 25 426

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 426

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) is an NIH fellowship opportunity aimed at predoctoral students pursuing a combined clinical and research doctorate. It is built for trainees in integrated dual-degree programs such as MD/PhD and other equivalent pathways (including DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, AuD/PhD, DVM/PhD), with the clear expectation that applicants are preparing for careers as physician-scientists or clinician-scientists. The central idea is to strengthen both sides of the training pipeline at the same time: rigorous dissertation-focused research training and deliberately planned clinical training that fits together as a coherent, integrated program rather than two separate tracks.

This NOFO is specifically targeted to students who are based at institutions that already have NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs, meaning the surrounding training environment is expected to be robust, structured, and well-supported. Applicants must put forward a dissertation research project in a health-related scientific area that aligns with the mission interests of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. In addition to the research plan itself, the application needs to present an integrated research and clinical training plan that explains how the candidate will develop into an independent investigator with strong clinical insight. In practical terms, the fellowship is meant to show reviewers that the proposed training and mentoring will measurably accelerate the fellow's development toward a productive, independent clinician-scientist career, rather than simply funding a project.

A key boundary in this opportunity is its relationship to clinical trials. The Parent F30 described here is designed for candidates whose proposed research does not include leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. However, the announcement does allow the applicant to gain research experience in a clinical trial as long as the trial is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor, which gives trainees room to learn within clinical research settings without taking on the responsibilities of independent trial leadership under this mechanism.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health and is categorized as a discretionary grant under a funding instrument type of grant, with an activity category that spans education and health-related areas (and related public purpose categories listed in the NOFO). The funding opportunity number is PA-25-426, and the opportunity was created on 2025-06-12 with an original closing date listed as 2028-05-07. The NOFO lists no award ceiling and does not specify an expected number of awards in the provided summary fields, which typically means applicants should rely on the full NOFO text and NIH institute participation details for the most current budgeting and award volume expectations.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad on paper and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible entities, as reflected in the listing. At the same time, the program includes explicit restrictions related to foreign involvement: non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified foreign elements in the project when permitted and properly documented, even though the applicant organization itself must be eligible and not foreign.

Overall, this Parent F30 is best understood as an NIH predoctoral fellowship mechanism tailored for dual-degree trainees who need protected, structured support to blend dissertation research with clinical development. The strongest applications are generally those that make the integration obvious and credible: a research project that is scientifically compelling and mission-relevant, a training plan that deliberately builds the competencies needed for a clinician-scientist pathway, and a mentoring/training environment that demonstrates it can turn a promising dual-degree student into a future independent investigator.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.310, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-06-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-05-07.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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