Applying for NIH fellowships comes with a whole new set of acronyms. Here\u2019s a quick guide to the ones you\u2019re most likely to encounter:<\/p>\n
Funding Announcements<\/strong><\/p>\n Fellowship Mechanisms<\/strong><\/p>\n People and Roles<\/strong><\/p>\n Review Process<\/strong><\/p>\n Letters and Documents<\/strong><\/p>\n Systems and IDs<\/strong><\/p>\n Funding Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More acronyms can be found on the NIH Glossary page: https:\/\/grants.nih.gov\/grants\/glossary.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\nThe official notice that describes eligibility, objectives, requirements, and deadlines for a grant or fellowship.<\/li>\n
\nThe newer term NIH is using in place of FOA. You may see both used, but they mean the same thing.<\/li>\n
\nAnother type of FOA that highlights areas of interest.<\/li>\n
\nA type of FOA\/NOFO that announces a more specific research priority area. Fellowships usually come from Parent Announcements rather than RFAs, but you might see these for other mechanisms.<\/li>\n
\nBroad FOAs\/NOFOs that allow NIH Institutes and Centers to accept fellowship applications in all areas of science. The majority of F31 and F32 applications are submitted through parent announcements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nSupports promising doctoral students conducting dissertation research.<\/li>\n
\nSupports postdoctoral researchers in advanced training and development of research independence.<\/li>\n
\nThe program mechanism that provides support for research training, including F31 and F32 fellowships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nThe NIH staff member who oversees fellowship programs within an Institute. They are your primary NIH contact.<\/li>\n
\nThe NIH staff scientist who manages the peer review process and assigns reviewers to your application.<\/li>\n
\nYour institutional contact (at Vanderbilt, specific to your department) who manages internal deadlines, compliance, and submission.<\/li>\n
\n<\/em>YOU are the PI on a fellowship application.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>YOU are the candidate<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>The faculty who will provide mentorship for your fellowship research (usually your PhD or postdoctoral research advisor)<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>The primary location where the research will occur<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Your sponsoring organization (Vanderbilt)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nThe panel of scientists who review and score your application for scientific merit.<\/li>\n
\nThe NIH office that manages most fellowship reviews (and other grants like R01s).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nRequired letters (3\u20135) written by individuals not directly<\/u> involved in your project but who can speak to your training, potential, and qualifications.<\/li>\n
\nLetters from collaborators or others directly<\/u> involved in your project, showing their commitment to your training and research plan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nThe NIH online portal for application submission and tracking. Applicants, sponsors, and referees all use this system.<\/li>\n
\nA unique identifier that links you to your research outputs and is required for NIH applications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nThe official document that confirms your fellowship has been funded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n