Dr. Mark Swieter, Scientific Review Administrator, NIDA Office of Extramural Affairs, describes the National Institutes of Health grant process to INVEST and Humphrey Fellows.

NIDA Holds Orientation for INVEST Research Fellows

The 2000-2001 INVEST Research Fellows visited NIDA in March to learn how the Institute administers its research programs and to meet with Institute staff. On March 2, 2001, Dr. Henrik Druid, Sweden, and Dr. Chuang Liu, China, met with scientists at the Intramural Research Program in Baltimore, including Dr. Steven Goldberg, Preclinical Pharmacology Section; Dr. Marilyn Huestis, Clinical Pharmacology Branch; Dr. Alane Kimes, Neuroimaging Research Branch; Dr. Amy Newman, Medicinal Chemistry Section; and Dr. Kenzie Preston, Treatment Research Branch. At NIDA headquarters in Bethesda, Dr. Druid met with Dr. Harold Gordon and Dr. Liu met with Dr. Steven Grant. Drs. Gordon and Grant work in the Clinical Neurobiology Branch, NIDA Division of Treatment Research and Development. The INVEST Fellows were joined by the 2000-2001 Hubert H. Humphrey Drug Abuse Research Fellows for a seminar on the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant application process. Dr. Steven Gust, International Program, NIDA Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC), welcomed the participants and provided an overview of NIDA funding opportunities for international research. Dr. Mark Swieter, Office of Extramural Affairs, discussed the NIH grant process. Dr. Cindy Miner, OSPC Science Policy Branch, offered suggestions for researchers preparing grant applications. Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Deputy Director, NIH Fogarty International Center, explained international research and training opportunities.

The INVEST Research Fellows visited NIDA in March. From left are Dr. Chuang Liu, China; Dr. Steven Gust, NIDA International Program; and Dr. Henrik Druid, Sweden.

Applying for an INVEST Fellowship

The competitive, 12-month INVEST Fellowship allows scientists from other countries to conduct postdoctoral research with a NIDA grantee in the United States, learning about U.S. research methods and the NIH grant process. Applicants must identify a NIDA-supported researcher who is willing to serve as a mentor and, with that mentor, develop a research plan for the application. You should begin this process well in advance of the April 1 deadline; the NIDA International Program can help you identify a mentor. For more information, see contact the NIDA International Program.