Research Training @ the NIH
Pat Sokolove, PhDDeputy DirectorNIH Office of Intramural Training & [email protected]
NIH Mission
Science* in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems
AND the application* of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability*.
* Ranging from chemistry and computational biology to behavioral science; translational research; nationally and globally
Core Mission Components
Conducting research in its own laboratories and on its own projects (intramural research)
Providing support for research conducted outside the NIH (extramural research)
Training research investigators Fostering the communication of medical
information
27 NIH Institutes and Centers
= Extramural only Extramural only
NEI
NCI
NHLBI
NLM NINDS
NIMH
NIAMS
NINR
NCCAM
CIT
CC
NHGRI
NIANIAAA
NIAID
NICHD
NIDCD
NIDCR
NIDDK
NIDA
NIEHSOD
NIGMS
NCRR
NIBIB
NIMHD
FICCSR
The Intramural Research Program22 ICs with labs/research projects in
Bethesda, MD Frederick, MD – NCI Baltimore, MD – NIA and NIDA Research Triangle Park, NC – NIEHS Rocky Mountain Labs, MT – NIAID Phoenix, AZ – NIDDK Detroit, MI – NICHD Framingham, MA - NHLBI
Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center
admits patients as part of clinical
trials only 240 beds 7,000 inpatient admissions a year 9,750 new patients a year 72,600 outpatient visits a year 900 active clinical protocols
How Many Researchers Are at the NIH?
3800 Postdoctoral Fellows 485 Graduate Students 700 Postbacs 1200 Summer Interns 75 Medical Students 250 Tenure-track Investigators 900 Tenured Investigators 1300 Staff Scientists 300 Staff Clinicians
NIH Budget in FY 2009: $30.6 Billion
SpendingSpendingOutside NIHOutside NIH
$25.7 B$25.7 B
SpendingSpendingat NIHat NIH$4.9 B$4.9 B
Amount Expenditure
10.39% $3.2B 10,000 intramuralintramural scientists &
research personnel
5.17% $1.6B RM&S and OD Oversight
0.44% $0.1B B&F
16.0%16.0%
84.0%84.0%84% of the total NIH budget supports over 325,000 extramuralextramural scientists and research personnel at more than 3,000 institutions nationwide.
What Can the NIH Offer You?
Resources - access to outstanding mentors, new technologies and state-of-the-art research facilities
Science seminars, workshops, and courses Exciting programs in all NIH Institutes & Centers Leadership and personal development opportunities Communication skills workshops Opportunities to learn about many different science
careers Workshops to help you successfully take “the next
step” Access to the OITE Career Services Center
Apply your book knowledge Improve your communication and interpersonal
skills Experience new areas of science Explore opportunities; “try on” your future career Build your social and professional network See new places and make new friends
Why Do a Summer Internship?
Use your imagination Surf the Web Visit the career center at your school Talk to your professors Talk to your friends Talk to us!
Finding Internship Opportunities
Programs for College Students
Summer Internship Program (SIP) Summer research experience at all levels Workshops and other educational experiences
Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)
Scholarship support during the academic year Summer research experience Payback obligation after graduation
Summer Internship Program
Eight - ten week research experience at all levels High School College Medical/Dental Graduate (MS, PhD, PharmD, PsyD, etc.)
Workshops and other educational opportunities Access to pre-professional and pre-graduate
advising End-of-summer poster session
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)
Provides up to $20,000/yr to cover educational expenses for undergraduates
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident GPA ≥ 3.5 Financial need Major in a field relevant to biomedical research
Payback requirement: one summer and one year at the NIH as an employee for each year of support received
https://ugsp.nih.gov/home.asp?m=00
For Recent College Graduates
Postbac IRTA Program One - two year focused research experience in an NIH
lab (on all campuses) Many workshops and educational programs Pre-professional and pre-graduate advising
NIH Academy A postbac program focused on domestic health
disparities All fellows live together near the Bethesda campus
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta
The Graduate Partnerships Program
Students work in NIH lab for all or part of their dissertation research
PhD is granted by home university Two types of partnerships:
Individual agreement Institutional agreement
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/gpp
Incredible research resources and breadth of research
Cooperative and collaborative environment Amazing quality and quantity of visiting lecturers Many opportunities to present research on and
off campus Wealth of opportunities for career development Networking opportunities
What Do Trainees Say About NIH?
OITE Mission
Helping trainees in the NIH Intramural Research Program develop scientific and professional skills to become leaders in the biomedical research community
https://www.training.nih.gov/
Special Events at the NIH
Poster Days Summer Poster Day Postbac Poster Day
NIH Graduate & Professional School Fair GPP Retreat Graduate Student Research Symposium NIH Career Symposium
Applications: General principles
Before you begin writing, read Follow directions Submit early Ensure that everything you submit is:
Grammatically perfect Clearly expressed Well organized
Your contact information A cover letter Your résumé or CV Letters of recommendation A transcript or a list of your courses
and grades
An Application Typically Includes:
Contact Information
Be thoughtful about Your email address Material added after your signature on your
email messages The message on your answering machine
Your chance to convince the reader that you would be the perfect “fit” for the program and/or lab
Do not rehash your resume; point out highlights and special qualifications
Be complete, but brief Use concrete examples Pay particular attention to describing your
research interests
Cover Letters
A concise representation of your educational and professional history
Should include: contact information schools attended, dates, and degrees received honors and awards research and work experience (include volunteering; list
skills using power verbs) publications
Your Résumé
Should be from teachers who know you well Must address your scientific knowledge base and
relevant personal traits Can be from a boss or someone outside of school but
only if they can discuss similar qualities Start thinking about who can write you strong letters of
support early in your education
Letters of Recommendation
List all of your courses, including those you are currently enrolled in, unless directed otherwise.
If you are a first-semester college freshman include information on your high school grades
Organize your list Invest the time to make the list easy to read
Courses and Grades
Contact faculty to express an interest in their lab
Apply to multiple programs - flexibility helps If you don’t get in…don’t give up!
What Next?
bu
ild y
ou
r ca
reer
, sh
ape
the
futu
re Contact the OITE
https://www.training.nih.gov/
Sharon Milgram, PhD Debbie Cohen
Director, OITE Summer & Postbac Programs
[email protected] [email protected]
Yolanda Mock Hawkins, PhD Pat Sokolove, PhD
NIH Academy Deputy Director, OITE
Useful Web Sites
Training at NIH (OITE):www.training.nih.gov
NIH Annual Reports:http://intramural.nih.gov/search
NIH Enterprise Directory (NED):http://ned.nih.gov
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