Intramural Training Opportunities at the NIH

Patricia M. Sokolove, PhDDeputy Director, OITE, NIHsokolovp@mail.nih.gov

The NIH Intramural Research Program

27 Institutes &Centers (ICs); with intramural research in 24

Basic, translational, and clinical research

Campuses in MD, NC, MT, AZ, MI, and MA

Training programs for students and fellows at all levels

The Nation’s Biomedical Research Institution

Trans-NIH Training Opportunities

The OITE (https://www.training.nih.gov)

A trans-NIH resource to help trainees develop scientific and professional skills

Home of the NIH Science Career Services CenterA source of educational and training resources for the

extramural community Workshops available by videocast and podcast Science Careers Blog (https://oitecareersblog.wordpress.com/) Jobs board and job search resources Campus visits for professional and career development

workshops NIH visits for classes and student groups “NIH Intramural Science” LinkedIn Group

NIH Intramural Summer Internship Program

Eight to ten week, full-time research experience High school College (including community college) Medical/Dental Graduate (MS, MPH, PhD, PsyD, etc) Professional (MD, Dental, DVM, PharmD)

Opportunities on all NIH campuses, paid and volunteer Workshops, journal clubs, and educational

opportunities Access to pre-graduate/pre-professional advising and

career counseling End-of-summer poster session

NIH Intramural Postbac Programs

Paid internships in NIH intramural research groups Across many disciplines One to three years

Two programs: Within two years of graduation: Postbac IRTA Program After two years: Technical IRTA Program

Access to the NIH Academy, a health disparities training program

Workshops, journal clubs, and educational opportunities Access to pre-graduate/pre-professional advising and

career counseling End-of-year poster session

The Selection Process (SIP and Postbac Program)* Key resources: the application videos and the FAQs

Students apply online. NIH Investigators (PIs) choose their own trainees.

Typically search online applications by keyword, major, undergraduate institution, preferred IC

Some gate with a minimum GPA

Contact with PIs is critical. Search NIH ANNUAL REPORTS by keyword

Send science-focused personalized emails (NED)

Interviews are by phone or in person. Offers can be made anytime.

Most summer interns start in May or June. Most postbacs start in June or July.

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

Benefits: provides up to $20,000/year to cover educational expenses for undergraduates

Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident GPA ≥ 3.3 Extreme financial need Major in a field relevant to biomedical research

Payback: all UGSP scholars Participate in SIP the year following the scholarship year. Must work in the NIH IRP for one year in return for each

scholarship year.

UGSP Application Details

Applications are submitted online at https://www.training.nih.gov.

Application differs substantially from SIP and postbac applications.

For consideration, the student’s financial aid office must verify financial need before the application deadline.

A central committee screens completed applications, interviews finalists by phone, and selects scholars.

Scholars visit NIH for lab placement and interviews with NIH PIs.

Graduate Partnership Program

Allows Ph.D. and combined degree students to do all or part of their dissertation research in the NIH IRP

Offers workshops and educational programs including Translational Medicine Training Program Biol 262: Research Tools for Studying Diseases The GPP Research Symposium The GPP Retreat

Accepts applications through one of two pathways: Individual agreement pathway Institutional agreement pathway

NIH Postdoc Basics

Eligibility: < 5 years of relevant research experience since receipt of the doctoral degree

Appointment for up to 5 years; may be promoted to Research Fellow for up to 3 additional years

International postdocs Appointed as Visiting Fellows Come to NIH on the J1 visa program

First year stipend: $44,450 - $50,900 $10,000 supplements for some specialties (chemistry,

engineering, math) Health insurance provided: individual or family

Assumptions Underlying Our Efforts

Trainees must know and use resources Implicit rules and expectations must be made explicit. Trainees need excellent mentorship inside and outside of

the research environment. Students must develop self-awareness. Career planning and skills development should begin early. Support services, including mental health counseling, must

be available and widely known.

Mentor training can have a big impact.

Finding Quality Mentorship

“One size does not fit all” in research training. Focus on science first, but attend to more than just the

science Pay attention to the research and training environment.

Types of collaborations available, level of independence, management style, PI availability for support and guidance, training resources within the group, encouragement for training outside of the group, etc.

Outcomes for previous fellows Opinions of current and previous group members

Read guidelines for finding mentors at https://www.training.nih.gov/mentoring_guidelines.

Skills All Scientists Need

TechnicalProblem solvingEthics and Responsible Conduct of ResearchCommunication

Verbal and written Technical and non-technical

Team ScienceThe Managements: Project, people, self,

relationships, money, time, stress

LeadershipTeaching & Mentoring

What Does the OITE Offer?

Orientations Written communication courses Oral communication workshops English language and American culture workshops Grant writing workshops Scientists Teaching Science program Career Advancement Toolkit (CAT) Tracks Going to Graduate/Professional School Series Leadership training, a management boot camp,

and interpersonal skills development Access to the Career Services Center

Major events including

Annual NIH Career SymposiumInternational Opportunities EXPOGraduate & Professional School FairSummer and Postbac Poster DaysGraduate Student Research SymposiumFARE competition

What Does the OITE Offer?II

A collaborative and interactive community focused on: doing and supporting outstanding research - in all areas. science education/training - at all levels. global health partnerships – in many scientific disciplines.

We have: outstanding resources - for science and for training. opportunities for training and career advancement - at NIH

and beyond. access to the rich and diverse culture of the Metro DC area.

Why NIH?

Useful Web Sites

www.nih.gov for main NIH web site and links to IC Web pages

For more on the IRP: www.irp.nih.gov Training at NIH (OITE): https://www.training.nih.gov Clinical Research Opportunities (OCRTME):

http://www.cc.nih.gov/training/index.html Videocasts and other online resources:

https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_resources NIH Annual Reports: http://intramural.nih.gov/search NIH Enterprise Directory (NED): http://ned.nih.gov Job opportunities at NIH and in the IRP:

http://www.jobs.nih.gov/

You (or your students) can reach me at sokolovp@mail.nih.gov.

See https://www.training.nih.gov for information for training opportunities in the NIH IRP and to access our online career resources.