Find support for training and career development for students and professionals.
Pre- and post-doctoral individual fellowship awards
F30: Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral NRSA for MD/PhD and other Dual Degree Fellowships
This award is for students in a combined-degree integrated research and clinical training program. It offers up to 6 years of support with a stipend and funds to help cover tuition, fees, health insurance, and research expenses.
F31: Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award
Grantees can get up to 5 years of support for research training leading to a PhD or equivalent degree. Support includes a stipend; funds to help cover tuition and fees; and an institutional allowance for health insurance, research expenses, books, and travel to scientific meetings.
F31: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
This type of F31 grant is specifically for students with disabilities and students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups or disadvantaged backgrounds. It offers up to 5 years of support to help cover tuition, fees, health insurance, and research expenses.
Career development awards
K08: Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award
Clinicians who are committed to a career in research can get an intensive, supervised research experience. Grantees receive a salary for 3 to 5 years and funding for research-related costs.
K12: NEI Institutional Mentored Physician Scientist Award (Clinical Trial Optional)
This grant is designed to train the next generation of vision researchers. Selected institutions can receive funding that they can use to appoint scholars to clinical trials — or to new studies related to existing clinical trials. Grantees get research experience and learn from more experienced investigators.
K23: Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
This grant is similar to K08, but it’s specifically for clinically trained professionals committed to patient-oriented research. They receive a salary for 3 to 5 years and funding for research-related costs.
K99/R00: NIH Pathway to Independence Award
This 2-phase award is designed to help investigators who already have a clinical or research doctorate get an R01 research award early in their careers. It begins with 1 to 2 years of mentored research (K99) followed by up to 3 years of independent research (R00).
Institutional training grants
T32: Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award
Pre- and post-doctoral trainees can receive stipends to cover tuition, health insurance, research supplies, and more. Program directors at the institution where trainees are enrolled choose the recipients, and training may focus on one or more disciplines related to vision research.
Loan repayment programs (LRPs)
These awards encourage health professionals to pursue careers in clinical or pediatric research. In exchange for a 2-year research commitment, these programs will repay up to $35,000 of qualified educational debt (including taxes on the benefit).

Questions?
Get in touch with the NEI Extramural Program.
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal
NEI Training Officer
301-451-2020
agarwalnee@nei.nih.gov