• Training Grants (T32)
  • Predoctoral Research Training Areas
  • Postdoctoral Research Training Areas
• Individual Fellowships (F32 and F31)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships
  • Predoctoral Fellowships

Training Grants (T32)

Requests for general information about training grants should be directed to:
John Norvell, Ph.D.
(301) 594-0533
norvellj@nigms.nih.gov

Complete information about NIGMS research training and career development opportunities can be found at the NIGMS Training and Careers Web site at: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/

Predoctoral Research Training Areas

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: John Whitmarsh, Ph.D.--(301) 451-6446

Programs should train students in the background theory and biological application of information sciences (including computer science, statistics, and mathematics) to problems relevant to biomedical research. Of particular interest are multi-scale and large-scale problems in biology. Training should include the use of theory and computer application to the full spectrum of basic research in the biomedical sciences, including the analysis of molecular sequence and structure, molecular function, cellular function, physiology, genomics, and genetics.

List of current institutional grantees
Expanded program description

Biostatistics: John Whitmarsh, Ph.D.--(301) 451-6446

Provides support for predoctoral training that integrates biostatistical theory and evolving methodologies with basic biomedical research including, but not limited to, bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, cellular processes, and physiology, as well as epidemiological, clinical, and behavioral studies. The goal is to ensure that a workforce of biostatisticians with a deep understanding of statistical theory and new methodologies is available to assume leadership roles related to the Nation’s biomedical, clinical, and behavioral research needs.

Biotechnology: Warren Jones, Ph.D.--(301) 594-5938

Training should be multidisciplinary and focus on the applications of engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology to areas of basic biomedical research related to biotechnology. These programs should involve the participation of faculty from several departments/schools whose research emphases are on the areas listed above. Active participation by faculty members in engineering is particularly encouraged, as is the development of mechanisms to give students experience in the biotechnology industry.

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Expanded program description

Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Sciences: Marion Zatz, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0943

Programs should be cross-disciplinary and involve in-depth study of biological problems at the level of the cellular and molecular sciences. The research training offered should encompass related disciplines, such as biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, chemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, neurobiology, and pathology. These research opportunities should be available in the represented disciplines with faculty mentors from interacting departments and/or interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs.

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Expanded program description

Chemistry-Biology Interface: Michael Rogers, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3827

Programs in this area should provide significant biological training to students receiving in-depth training in synthetic/mechanistic chemistry and provide significant training in synthetic/mechanistic chemistry to students being trained in depth in the biological sciences. It is expected that CBI programs will consist of faculty drawn from departments of chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and/or pharmaceutical chemistry and faculty from the biological disciplines, such as biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology. Students trained at the chemistry-biology interface should be well-grounded in a core discipline and sufficiently well-trained in complementary fields to allow them to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

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Expanded program description

Combined Training Program: Paula Flicker, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3828

In general, only one application in a given training area will be supported at an institution. In addition, NIGMS accepts applications for predoctoral training programs that combine two or more of the eight Ph.D. support areas listed. This option is intended to facilitate the merger of existing training grant programs when the applicant determines that this combination will remove barriers or improve access to multidisciplinary research training.  It also will foster the development of new integrated programs from institutions that lack sufficient numbers of faculty or students in any one of the individual Ph.D. support areas. 

Genetics: Marcus Rhoades, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0943

Programs should emphasize broad training in the principles and mechanisms of genetics and related sciences. Training in a variety of areas such as classical genetics, molecular genetics, population and behavioral genetics, and developmental genetics should be offered. Programs may also include training and research opportunities in related disciplines such as biochemistry, cell biology, and statistics. Programs are generally expected to include faculty members in disciplines other than genetics.

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Expanded program description

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): Bert Shapiro, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3830

The MSTP supports the integrated medical and graduate research training that is required for the investigation of human diseases. It assures highly selected trainees a choice of a wide range of pertinent graduate programs in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences which, when combined with training in medicine, lead to the M.D.-Ph.D. degree. Programs are encouraged to provide a breadth of doctoral research training opportunities consistent with individual institutional strengths. In addition to the above disciplines, support of trainees in other disciplines such as computer sciences, social and behavioral sciences, economics, epidemiology, public health, bioengineering, biostatistics, and bioethics is encouraged. Proposed MSTP programs should be flexible and adaptable in providing each trainee with the appropriate background in the sciences relevant to medicine, yet be rigorous enough to enable graduates to function independently in both basic research and clinical investigation.

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Expanded program description

Molecular Biophysics: Paula Flicker, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3828

Training in this area should be multidisciplinary and focus on the applications of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to problems of biological structure, primarily at the molecular level. These programs should bring together faculty and students from departments such as chemistry, physics, and engineering who have an interest in biologically related research with faculty and students in biological science departments whose orientation is the application of physical methods and concepts to biological systems.

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Expanded program description

Pharmacological Sciences: Peter Preusch, Ph.D.--(301) 594-5938

Training in this area should be multidisciplinary and should emphasize exposure to the broad field of pharmacological sciences. Individuals should receive training that will enable them to conduct research on the biological phenomena and related chemical and molecular processes involved in the actions of therapeutic drugs and their metabolites. Thesis research opportunities should be available with faculty members in a variety of disciplines, such as biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and toxicology, as well as pharmacology. Students trained in this program should be able to contribute to the design and evaluation of therapeutic strategies based upon the competence they have acquired through specialized training in the pharmacological sciences.

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Expanded program description

Systems and Integrative Biology: Alison Cole, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3349

Training in this area should be directed toward building the broad research competence required to investigate the integrative, regulatory, and developmental processes of higher organisms and the functional components of these processes. The training program should bring together varied resources, approaches, and thesis research opportunities with faculty mentors of such disciplines/departments as physiology, biomedical engineering, the neurosciences, the behavioral sciences, biochemistry, and cell and developmental biology. Graduates of the program should be well versed in quantitative approaches to biology.

List of current institutional grantees
Expanded program description

Postdoctoral Research Training Areas

Anesthesiology: Alison Cole, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3349

Programs should provide multidisciplinary research training to help develop individuals with the skills and expertise to explore problems relevant to anesthesiology, including the fundamental mechanisms of anesthetic action. The goal is to provide rigorous postdoctoral research training with an emphasis on hypothesis-driven laboratory or clinical research. Trainees, most of whom would hold the M.D. degree, will be expected to spend at least 2 years in the training program and should have the opportunity to acquire fundamental knowledge and research techniques in such disciplines as biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, molecular biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, or physiology. For trainees with the Ph.D. degree, the research and training should be specifically designed to promote a research career addressing problems in anesthesiology.

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Expanded program description

Clinical Pharmacology: Richard Okita, Ph.D.--(301) 594-1826

Individuals in these programs should receive experience in the methodology and conduct of basic and clinical research to qualify them to investigate the effects and mechanisms of drug actions in humans. Trainees, most of whom would have the M.D. degree, will be expected to spend at least 2 years in the training program and should have the opportunity to acquire fundamental scientific knowledge and research techniques in such areas as basic pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, molecular medicine and gene therapy, biostatistics, and other biomedical subdisciplines. For trainees with an M.D. degree or other professional degree, this experience should emphasize rigorous research training and complement their clinical backgrounds. For trainees with a Ph.D. degree, the research and training should be specifically designed to promote a career in clinical pharmacology research.

List of current institutional grantees
Expanded program description

Medical Genetics: Marcus Rhoades, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0943

Programs should provide advanced and specialized research training in the principles of genetics, with the goal of understanding human genetic disorders. Trainees, who will normally hold the M.D. degree, should be drawn from diverse backgrounds and should be offered opportunities for conducting research with faculty who represent a variety of approaches to genetics, ranging from molecular genetics to human population genetics. Programs should provide rigorous training in basic or applied research, with an emphasis on human or medical genetic problems. For holders of the M.D. or other professional degree, the program should provide training and research opportunities in areas of basic genetics that will build on, and complement, the trainee’s clinical background. For holders of the Ph.D. degree, the research and training should be specifically designed to foster a career in human and medical genetics.

List of current institutional grantees
Expanded program description

Trauma, Burn, and Peri-operative Injury: Scott Somers, Ph.D.--(301) 594-5560

Programs should provide multidisciplinary research training for postdoctoral scientists who seek to improve the understanding of the body’s systemic responses to major injury and to foster the more rapid application of this knowledge to the treatment of trauma and burn-injury victims. The supervisory staff should include trauma surgeons and/or burn specialists, as well as basic scientists. Trainees, most of whom would hold the M.D. degree, will be expected to spend at least 2 years in the training program and to apply such basic disciplines as biochemistry, physiology, immunology, microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or behavioral sciences to the study of trauma.

List of current institutional grantees
Expanded program description

Individual Fellowships (F32, F31)

Postdoctoral Fellowships (F32)

Molecular Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering: James Cassatt, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0828

Cell Biology: Paula Flicker, Ph.D.--(301) 594-3828

Genetics and Developmental Biology:
Applicant's last name beginning A-L
Laurie Tompkins, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0943

Temporary change
Applicant's last name beginning M-Z
Laurie Tompkins, Ph.D.--(301) 594-0943

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Biorelated Chemistry:
Pamela Marino, Ph.D.--(301) 594-1832

Philip LoGrasso, Ph.D.--(301) 594-1826

Anesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, and Trauma and Burn Injury: Richard Okita, Ph.D.--(301) 594-1826

Predoctoral Fellowships (F31)

Requests for general information about predoctoral fellowships should be directed to: