Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) | PA 19 195

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 195

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31), Funding Opportunity Number PA-19-195, is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism designed to support promising predoctoral students while they complete mentored dissertation research in health-related scientific fields. The core aim is to provide individualized training under the close guidance of an accomplished faculty sponsor (and, when appropriate, a co-sponsor), so that the fellow develops stronger research skills, a clearer scientific trajectory, and the foundation needed to grow into a productive, independent research scientist. In practice, the fellowship is meant to align tightly with the applicant's dissertation project, and the training plan is expected to add clear value beyond the standard doctoral curriculum by sharpening the applicant's research capabilities, professional development, and long-term potential.

A central expectation of the F31 is that the proposed mentored research and training are directly connected to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The application should therefore be framed within a health-relevant scientific area that matches NIH priorities, and it should explain how the training environment, mentoring team, and research experiences will strengthen the applicant's ability to conduct rigorous, impactful research. Although the opportunity supports substantial research activity as part of the dissertation, it is fundamentally a training-focused award, emphasizing structured mentorship and a thoughtful plan for developing research independence over the course of doctoral study.

This FOA places specific limits on clinical trial leadership. Applicants are not allowed to propose leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial as the main thrust of their fellowship project. However, the FOA does allow applicants to gain research experience within a clinical trial as long as the trial is led by the sponsor or co-sponsor. In other words, a fellow can participate in clinical trial-related research and training activities, but the fellowship application cannot position the predoctoral fellow as the person directing the trial.

In terms of eligibility, the NIH lists a broad range of organizational applicants that may submit, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), eligible agencies of the federal government, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the funding activity is categorized broadly under areas that include education and health, reflecting the fellowship's emphasis on research training and workforce development in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and related health sciences.

Administrative details in the provided listing include an original closing date of July 8, 2020, and a creation date of February 22, 2019. The listing also associates the opportunity with multiple CFDA numbers (now commonly referenced as assistance listing numbers), indicating participation by multiple NIH components and the wide scope of health-related scientific domains that can be supported under the Parent F31 umbrella. While the source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the overall structure signals that applicants should treat the fellowship as a competitive, mentored training award where the strength of the candidate, the quality of the sponsor and training environment, and the clarity and feasibility of the training plan and dissertation research are central to the proposal.

• 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 Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)" 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, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.307, 93.351, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-02-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for PA 19 195

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