2024 Revisions to the NIH NRSA Fellowship Application and Review Process
Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process
The NIH receives about 6,500 predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship applications annually. Over the past few years, they received concerns that parts of the fellowship review process may create a disadvantage for some applicants. In response, the NIH revised the review criteria and application process.
These changes take effect for due dates on or after January 25th, 2025. Applications due before January 25th will use the current fellowship application format. Applications that are submitted in 2024 using the current forms, and resubmitted after January 25, 2025, will need to be re-submitted using the new forms.
The updated criteria are only applicable to F30, F31, F32, F33, and K99/K00 applications.
New Review Criteria:
• Candidate Preparedness and Potential: Focus the reviewer‘s attention on three essential elements – the fellowship candidate’s preparedness and potential, the research training plan, and the sponsor’s commitment to the candidate.
• Research Training Plan: Ensure broad recognition of a range of candidates and research training contexts by clarifying and simplifying the language in the application and review criteria.
• Commitment to Candidate: Minimize bias in the review process by emphasizing the commitment to the candidate while reducing the emphasis on the sponsor and institutional reputation.
Revised Fellowship Application Process:
- The application is shorter and more structured to better align with new reviewer criteria.
- There is less emphasis on the sponsor‘s track record and more emphasis on the training plan and preparedness.They eliminated the requirement to submit grades as part of a predoctoral applicant’s sketch. You may mention courses that you took, especially if they speak to your “candidate’s preparedness”, but do not include your grades.
- There is now less emphasis on publications.
- They have more clearly explained who should author each section of the application.
- They have updated reference letter instructions.
Updated Fellowship Application Sections:
- Candidates Goals, Preparedness, and Potential (written by candidate)
- Overall Training Goals
- Candidate’s preparedness
- Candidate’s self-assessment (skills you have and skills you’d like to obtain during the fellowship period)
- Scientific perspective (show your ability to think scientifically and that you have a broader perspective of the field, rather than just your specific research proposal)
- Research training plan (written by candidate)
- Training activities and Timeline (should be closely aligned with the candidate’s goals)
- Research training project–specific aims
- Research Training Project strategy, scientific foundation, and rationale approach
- Sponsor(s) Commitment (written by the sponsor)
- Mentoring approach and candidate mentoring plan (this should be tailored to the candidate’s specific research goals)
- Prior training and mentoring
- Commitment to the candidate’s research training plan
- Research training environment
- Candidate’s potential
Additional links:
• Overview of updated NIH revised guidelines:
grants.nih.gov/policy/peer/improving-nrsa-fellowship.htm
• Video recording explaining updated NIH revised guidelines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezHg3g5rQz0
• SF242 Application Guide – instructions relevant to most fellowship programs:
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html
• Notice of Funding Opportunity – specific instructions, due dates, institute participation, and related notices:
https://researchtraining.nih.gov/programs