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February Announcements

The 4th Cycle of the NICHD Early Career Awards is Open

The NICHD Office of the Director (OD) will be accepting applications for this competitive, internal funding opportunity aimed at promoting the research careers of early-stage intramural researchers in the basic, clinical, and translational sciences. The Early Career Awards program aims to support proposals that benefit the career development of the applicant.

Please check your email for details on this opportunity and the application process—information was provided to appropriate listservs in early January. Applications must be submitted to Ms. Olga Cherkasova (olga.cherkasova@nih.gov) by Monday, February 12, 2024, in order to be considered.


New Funding Opportunity for Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians

The NICHD Office of the Scientific Director (OSD) will be accepting applications for the Career Development Awards for Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians, an internal funding opportunity aimed at promoting the career development of Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians in the basic, clinical, and translational sciences. All Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians in the NICHD Divisions of Intramural Research and Population Health Research are eligible to apply. Please note, contractors are not eligible for this opportunity.

Please check your email for details on this opportunity and the application process—information was provided to appropriate listservs in early January. Applications must be submitted to Ms. Olga Cherkasova (olga.cherkasova@nih.gov) by Monday, February 26, 2024, in order to be considered.


Planning to Apply for an NIH Research Grant?

In collaboration with three other institutes, we are again offering our popular NIH Grant Writing Course! Led by Dr. Paula Gregory (Associate Dean for Faculty & Research Development, School of Biomedical Sciences; Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs University of North Texas Health Science Center), this course will help students prepare a successful NIH grant proposal, with special emphasis on the career transition “K” grant series.

In a small-group setting (via Zoom), classes will combine didactic presentations with group discussions, assignments, and proposal writing. There will also be an NIH mock study section. During the process of scoring real grant applications, trainees will learn about the review process and the key aspects of a successful application.

NICHD has four slots available. If you would like to join this course, please contact Dr. Erin Walsh (erin.walsh@nih.gov) with your plans for grant applications (e.g., K99) in the next year.

All sessions are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom. Below is the (tentative) schedule:

  • March 7 & 8
  • March 21 & 22
  • April 11 & 12

Hear from NICHD fellows who recently completed the course: Tips from Fellows: Paula Gregory Grant Writing Course & Workshops


Independent Research Scholar Program Application is Open

The Office of Intramural Research is now accepting applications for the 2024 Independent Research Scholars (IRS) program. The program supports recent doctorates and early-stage postdoctoral fellows, who have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, to transition to independent research positions. If you are considering this opportunity, please carefully review the IRS Program Information.

If you are planning to apply, please contact Dr. Erin Walsh (erin.walsh@nih.gov) as soon as possible to discuss your eligibility and establish a plan for your application package.

This is a fantastic opportunity for postdocs who are ready to take the next step in launching their independent research program.


Expand your Clinical Research Knowledge in 2024

The NIH Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach in the Office of Intramural Research offers 3 programs: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Course (IPPCR), Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Course (PCP), and the Clinical Research Curriculum Certificate Program (CRCC).

2023–2024 Introduction to the Principles And Practice of Clinical Research Course

  • Open NOW through August 1, 2024
  • Online (over 30 recorded lectures; do at your own pace)
  • Registration open NOW through June 28, 2024
  • To register and for more information, go to:https://ocreco.od.nih.gov/courses/ippcr.html

This free online course teaches registrants on how to conduct clinical research effectively and safely. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing students and other health professionals are encouraged to enroll. The optional course textbook, Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, Fourth Edition (2018) is available for purchase from several online book retailers and at the NIH Building 10 FAES bookstore. For questions, contact the course coordinator at ippcr2@mail.nih.gov.

2023–2024 Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Course

This free online lecture series covers the fundamentals of clinical pharmacology as a translational scientific discipline. Topics include pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and transport, drug therapy in special populations, drug discovery and development, and pharmacogenomics. This course will be of interest to graduate students, postdocs, medical and pharmacy students, scientists, and health professionals interested in expanding their pharmacology knowledge base. For questions, contact the course coordinator at odpcp@mail.nih.gov.

NIH Clinical Research Curriculum Certificate (CRCC) Program

  • Now Available

NIH staff, contractors, and trainees can earn a formal certificate from the NIH Office of Clinical Research, Office of the Director, by completing a clinical research curriculum. The Clinical Research Curriculum Certificate (CRCC) program was developed for NIH employees (staff, contractors, and trainees) who are currently engaged or interested in clinical or translational research. For questions, please email crcc@mail.nih.gov.


Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship Application is Open

Applications are due on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain experience in grant writing while competing for an intramural funding award? The Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship (IARF) program is a collaborative effort of the Office of AIDS Research, the Office of Intramural Training & Education, and the Office of Intramural Research, designed to further cross disciplinary research into HIV and AIDS at the NIH. The aim of the program is to recruit graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from all scientific disciplines to the broad field of AIDS research and to provide a grant-writing opportunity for intramural fellows whose work can be directly related to HIV and AIDS. The fellowship is open to all graduate (predoctoral level) students and post-doctoral fellows who are part of the Intramural Research Program (IRP) at NIH. FTE employees such as Research Fellows and Clinical Fellows are NOT eligible for the fellowship. There are no citizenship requirements. Awardees will be individuals who show outstanding scientific potential through both a creative and thoughtful research plan and a well thought out career development plan.

You can also read more about the program at https://www.training.nih.gov/fellowship-awards/intramural-aids-research-fellowship.


NICHD Annual Postbac Seminar Series: Professional Development and Career Exploration

Our Annual Postbac Seminar Series continues into the new year! Join us on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. (schedule and details below). The intent is to create a comfortable environment within a small group of peers to help postbacs improve their analytical skills as scientists, while expanding their knowledge of biomedical research and its relevance to human health.

Currently there are about 85 postbacs conducting clinical and basic science research in our intramural laboratories. During your one or two years of training here at the NICHD, we want you to have an enriched research experience, while at the same time growing more prepared and excited about your chosen career path.

This series also focuses on professional development:

  • Learning how to present your science
  • Exploring different career trajectories
  • Meeting physicians and scientists from various clinical or research settings
  • Preparing for the medical or graduate school application cycle (including interviews!)

Have an idea for a seminar topic? Know somebody who would make a great speaker for the series? We want to hear from you! Email Dr. Erin Walsh (erin.walsh@nih.gov) with your thoughts.

Schedule of Topics (All sessions are on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.)
February 20 NICHD Clinical Director, Catherine Gordon, MD, MS Clinical Research Careers: Meet the NICHD Clinical Director Bldg. 35A, Room 610
February 27 Office of Education Director, Erin Walsh, PhD The Medical School Personal Statement Bldg. 35A, Room 610

If you are interested in attending, please email Ms. Veronica Harker (veronica.harker@nih.gov) to register and let her know which sessions you plan to attend. Zoom links will be distributed a few days prior.


NIH UNITE: Ending Structural Racism (ESR) Activities

The NIH UNITE initiative was established to identify and address structural racism within the NIH-supported and the greater scientific community.

The ESR Intranet includes various resources like the Toolkit, Newsletter, FAQs, and other information. UNITE Milestones and Progress and the Co-Chairs Corner (public ESR webpages) are other avenues to stay informed on UNITE efforts.