Key Dates

Related Announcements

• October 9, 2020 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). See NOFO PA-20-272 

Issued by

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Purpose

The Medical Student Research Training (MSRT) program provides mentored support for medical students interested in taking a year off from their medical school studies to work in an academic research lab. Support will be provided through an administrative supplement to an active NIDDK institutional training grant (T32 or TL1) in the an area of research within the NIDDK mission. A list of currently funded T32 program locations with the Principal Investigator contact information is available on the NIDDK website. Providing the opportunity for students to interrupt their medical school studies for up to 12 months to pursue a research project should help them solidify their decisions to pursue a research career, focus their research interests, and provide a background for future training and career development programs once they have completed their medical training.

Eligible Candidates

Guidelines for the T32/TL1 Principal Investigator and candidate medical student

For an application to be considered, a medical student must:

• Have established a relationship with a faculty sponsor at a funded NIDDK T32/TL1 where the program goals align with the candidate’s proposed research at least 2-4 months prior to application submission date
• Be a medical student in good standing
• Have completed at least one year of medical school education
• Have full time commitment of a minimum of 9 months, up to a maximum of 12 months, to participate in the program
• Have the permission of the Dean of their medical school to participate in this program at their own or another institution
• Be a U.S. citizens or permanent resident

NOTE: Students who have previously earned a Ph.D. or who are enrolled in a combined M.D./Ph.D. program are not eligible.

Application and Submission Information

Applications for this initiative must be submitted using the following opportunity or its subsequent reissued equivalent.

• PA-20-272 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide and PA-20-272 must be followed, with the following additions:

• Application Due Date(s) – March 19, 2025, March 19, 2026, March 19, 2027, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.
• For funding consideration, applicants must include "NOT-DK-24-037” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative.
• Requests may be for one year of support only.
• The Research Strategy section of the application is limited to 6 pages.
• Only existing awardees of NIDDK T32/TL1program are eligible to apply.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the program contact at the NIDDK Division supporting the parent award that a request has been submitted in response to this NOFO in order to facilitate efficient processing of the request.

Applications must be submitted by the T32/TL1 Principal Investigator (PI)’s organization. To apply, the candidate should contact the PI of a currently funded NIDDK T32 /TL1 program to inquire about their willingness to submit an application on his/her behalf.

Required Documents

Cover Page

• The grant number of the T32 or TL1 sponsoring the application
• The student's name as Principal Investigator
• The proposed start date

Research Strategy

Application must include:

• A statement from the medical student describing their research interests, career goals, and expectations for the research year;
• A statement from the proposed mentor indicating detailed plans for working with the student;
• An outline of the proposed research project and other activities (i.e. participation in journal clubs, lab meetings, scientific workshops, specialized technical training, etc.) prepared by candidate and mentor (4-page); and
• A brief (1-page) summary of the administration of this MSRT Program at the institution including:
  • An indication of the means used to publicize the availability of these training positions, including the faculty and staff involved
  • The number of students who inquire about the program, as well as the number of students applying and
  • The method used to match students with mentor
  • Plans for including the students in existing training in the responsible conduct of science courses/seminar

Other Project Information

Applicant must attach the following PDF documents in the "Other Attachments":

• NIH Fellowship Biosketch https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
• A letter from the Dean of the School of Medicine (indicating approval for the student to take time off to pursue this research year and stipulate that the student is expected to resume a normal medical school curriculum once the research year has ended); and
• Two letters of recommendation from current faculty at the school of medicine attesting to the student’s interest in a research career, academic accomplishments, and suitability for this research experience

The PHS 2590 Institutional Training Grant Budget Page 2

T32/TL1 Budget Information must be submitted:

• Stipend: Currently published pre doctoral stipend amount
• Training-related expenses (administrative support, health insurance, and research supplies) at the current published pre doctoral amount

Award Information

Upon approval, NIDDK will provide, prorated for the actual period of support:

• A stipend at the current published pre doctoral stipend level
• Training Related Expenses at the current published pre doctoral level
• Standard Training Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs of 8%

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Christine Densmore, M.S.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-402-8714
Email: [email protected]