Let NIH Help You in Your Research Career Goal toward Becoming a Physician-Scientist

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MD/PhD Career with

Definitely want research as a major part of a medical career

MD Career with

Interested in health and disease and a career with research

College

Explore Research

Summer research
NIH-R25 ✕

Summer research

The NIH provides funds to institutions for short-term research training for students interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. Learn More
One-two years after college
NIH-IRTA ✕

One-Two years after college

Recent college graduates who plan to apply to graduate or professional (medical/dental/veterinary/pharmacy) schools can spend one or two years in full-time research at the NIH campus in the Intramural Research Training Award program. Learn more

Complete a PhD

Integrated MD/PhD NIH-T32 MSTP
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Integrated MD/PHD

About 50 MD/ PhD programs nationwide receive NIH training grants to support students in an integrated, dual degree program to train physician-scientists. Learn more
T32
Graduate fellowship NIH-F30, NIH-F31
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Graduate fellowship

Individual fellowships provide research training for graduate students and MD/PhD students in many fields. Consider preparing an application to support your research and training goals.
F30
F31

Explore research

Summer research
NIH-T35 ✕

Summer research

Short-term research training opportunities are available for students interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. Search for activity T35 award institutions in NIH RePORTER.
Learn More
Full year research
NIH-TL1 ✕

Full year research

The NIH provides institutions with outstanding research training programs with funds to support students in clinical and translational research. Learn more
Full year research
NIH-MSRP ✕

Full year research

The Medical Research Scholars Program supports students currently enrolled in an accredited medical, dental or veterinary program in mentored research at the NIH campus. Learn more

Medical School

Engage In Research

To learn more about a career as a physician-scientist, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) , veterinary, dental scientist. Many schools offer research programs that may be pursued with a professional degree.

Residency & Fellowship

Build research and clinical skills

Research Residency and Fellowship
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Research Residency and Fellowship

Consider Research Residencies that combine research and clinical training. Learn more at American Physician Scientists Association
Opportunities in NIH Clinical Center
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Opportunities in NIH Clinical Center

The NIH Clinical Center offers graduate medical education opportunities. Learn more about residency and sub-specialty training programs
Pursue a Master's Program
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Pursue a Master's Program

Students who seek training in the experimental skills and design required for translational research and clinical investigation may complete a Master’s program in Clinical Investigation.
Subspecialty research
NIH-T32 ✕

Subspecialty research NIH-T32

The NIH supports institutions that offer outstanding research training for MD investigators in selected, clinically-relevant areas. These postdoctoral programs generally include at least 2 years of research training in basic, clinical and/or translational science areas.
T32
Loan Repayment Program
NIH-LRP ✕

Loan Repayment Award

NIH offers health professionals in eligible research activities awards to repay qualified educational debt.Learn more

Early Faculty

Combine clinical care and research

Clinical translational research
NIH-KL2 ✕

Clinical translational research

Institutions with a KL2 program offer up to five years’ support for mentored research training and career development to scholars with a professional degree to develop independent research programs. Learn more
Focused research
NIH-K12 ✕

Focused research

Institutions nationwide receive NIH-K12 support for mentored career development awards to prepare newly-trained clinicians who have made a commitment to independent research careers, and to facilitate their transition to more advanced support mechanisms. Learn more
Individual career development
NIH-K ✕

Individual career development

The NIH mentored clinical research career development award in biomedical and behavioral science (K08) and clinical science (K23) provide support and protected time to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience. Learn More

A Career as a Physician Scientist

Conduct research on biomedical mechanisms, diagnosis and therapy, population and outcome medicine, health policy or health services

Work at Academic Health Centers, Hospitals, Federal Laboratories, or Biotech/Pharmaceutical industry

Collaborate with a team of researchers
NIH-UO1, R24 ✕

Collaborate with a team of researchers

Multi-center clinical studies are supported by the NIH for clinical studies, interventional trials and observational studies, conducted at three or more centers. The NIH-R24 supports strong interdisciplinary research teams focused on innovative approaches to address current challenges.
Independent research project grants
NIH-R01, R21 ✕

Independent research project grants

The R01 provides support for health-related research that stems from an investigator or multi-investigator team. The R21 encourages exploratory/developmental research, usually proposed as a two-year project.

* Supplement to Enhance Diversity is applicable at all career levels

Let NIH Help You in Your Research Career Goal toward Becoming a​​​​​​​ Physician-Scientist