Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 20 246
The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31), Funding Opportunity Number PA-20-246, is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism designed to support promising PhD or other research doctoral students while they complete their dissertation research. The core goal is training: the fellowship is meant to give a predoctoral candidate a highly individualized, mentored research experience under the guidance of an outstanding faculty sponsor (and, when appropriate, co-sponsors). The research project you propose is expected to be tightly aligned with your dissertation topic and, just as importantly, the overall training plan must clearly show how the fellowship period will build the skills, knowledge, and professional development needed to become a productive, independent research scientist in a health-related field that matches the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
A defining feature of this specific Parent F31 announcement is its clinical trial boundary. It is intended for applicants whose proposed fellowship work does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. In other words, the applicant cannot be the person responsible for running the trial as the lead. At the same time, the FOA does allow the fellow to gain research experience within a clinical trial as long as that trial is led by the sponsor or a co-sponsor. Practically, this means a student can propose dissertation research that leverages clinical trial data, participates in trial-related research activities, or is embedded in a trial environment, provided the leadership and regulatory responsibility for the trial sits with the mentor team rather than the fellow.
The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and spans multiple NIH program areas, which is reflected in the long list of associated CFDA numbers (including, for example, 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.351, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, and 93.879). The activity categories tied to the opportunity are broad and include education and health, among others, which aligns with the fellowship’s focus on research training in scientific, health-related domains.
On eligibility, the FOA is structured so that many different types of applicant organizations can serve as the institutional home for the fellowship application. Eligible applicants listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible organizational categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible agencies of the federal government, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). As with most NIH opportunities, the FOA notes that applicants should consult the full announcement for complete and precise eligibility requirements and any conditions tied to specific NIH Institutes or Centers.
From a practical standpoint, the F31 is best understood as a mentored fellowship that expects you to present a coherent package: a dissertation research plan, a training plan that goes beyond the immediate experiments (methods training, responsible conduct of research, rigor and reproducibility practices, career development activities, and mentorship structure), and a sponsor team with the expertise, resources, and track record to support your development. The program’s emphasis is not only on what you will discover during the dissertation, but also on how the mentored experience will position you for the next stage of a research career.
Key administrative details from the provided listing include that the funding instrument type is a grant and the opportunity category is discretionary. The listing shows an original closing date of 2020-10-21 and a creation date of 2020-06-29; applicants should treat those dates as specific to this posting and verify current due dates and any reissued or updated announcements if applying in a later cycle. The provided fields do not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which is common in some listings and generally means those details are either not capped in that way or are described elsewhere in the full FOA and NIH institute-specific guidance.Apply for PA 20 246
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.351, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)?
The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism intended to support promising PhD or other research doctoral students as they complete dissertation research. The defining purpose is research training through a highly individualized, mentored fellowship experience.
What is the funding opportunity number for this Parent F31?
The funding opportunity number is PA-20-246.
Who is this fellowship designed to support?
This opportunity is designed to support predoctoral candidates (PhD or other research doctoral students) while they complete dissertation research, with a strong emphasis on mentored training and professional development.
What is the main goal of the Parent F31 fellowship?
The core goal is training. The fellowship is meant to provide a highly individualized, mentored research experience under the guidance of an outstanding faculty sponsor, and when appropriate, co-sponsors. The application is expected to show how the fellowship period will build skills, knowledge, and professional development needed to become a productive, independent research scientist.
Does the proposed research have to be related to my dissertation?
Yes. The proposed research project is expected to be tightly aligned with the applicant's dissertation topic.
What should the training plan emphasize?
The training plan should clearly explain how the fellowship period will build the skills, knowledge, and professional development needed for the applicant to become a productive, independent research scientist in a health-related field aligned with the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The listing also highlights training elements such as methods training, responsible conduct of research, rigor and reproducibility practices, career development activities, and mentorship structure.
Is this opportunity focused on research, training, or both?
Both, but training is central. The fellowship expects a coherent package that includes a dissertation research plan and a broader training plan that supports long-term scientific and professional development.
What is the clinical trial limitation for this specific Parent F31 announcement?
This Parent F31 is intended for applicants whose proposed fellowship work does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. In practical terms, the applicant cannot be the person responsible for running the trial as the lead.
Can my research involve a clinical trial in any way?
Yes, under specific conditions. The FOA allows the fellow to gain research experience within a clinical trial as long as the clinical trial is led by the sponsor or a co-sponsor. This can include leveraging clinical trial data, participating in trial-related research activities, or being embedded in a trial environment, provided the mentor team holds trial leadership and regulatory responsibility rather than the fellow.
Who must lead the clinical trial if my dissertation work is connected to a trial?
If the fellowship work occurs within a clinical trial context, the sponsor or a co-sponsor must lead the clinical trial, and the fellow should not be the person with lead responsibility for the trial.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Does this opportunity span multiple NIH program areas?
Yes. It spans multiple NIH program areas, reflected by the long list of associated CFDA numbers included in the listing.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listing associates this opportunity with multiple CFDA numbers, including: 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.351, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, and 93.879.
What activity categories are tied to this opportunity?
The activity categories are broad and include education and health, consistent with the fellowship's emphasis on research training in scientific, health-related domains.
What types of organizations can apply as the institutional home for the fellowship?
The FOA lists a wide range of eligible applicant organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible organizational categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Can federal government agencies be eligible applicant organizations?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible agencies of the federal government among eligible organizational categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) in the list of eligible organizational categories.
Does the listing provide complete eligibility requirements?
No. The listing notes that applicants should consult the full announcement for complete and precise eligibility requirements and any conditions tied to specific NIH Institutes or Centers.
What is expected from the sponsor and any co-sponsors?
The fellowship is intended to be conducted under the guidance of an outstanding faculty sponsor and, when appropriate, co-sponsors. The overall application is expected to present a sponsor team with the expertise, resources, and track record to support the fellow's development.
What kinds of components should a strong Parent F31 application present?
Based on the listing, the F31 is best understood as a mentored fellowship that expects a coherent package including: a dissertation research plan; a training plan that goes beyond the immediate experiments (for example, methods training, responsible conduct of research, rigor and reproducibility practices, career development activities, and mentorship structure); and a sponsor team positioned to support the applicant's growth.
How does NIH describe the fellowship's emphasis beyond dissertation experiments?
The program emphasizes not only what the applicant will discover during the dissertation, but also how the mentored experience will position the applicant for the next stage of a research career.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the opportunity category?
The opportunity category is discretionary.
What dates are provided in the listing?
The listing includes a creation date of 2020-06-29 and an original closing date of 2020-10-21.
Are the listed dates necessarily the current due dates?
No. The listing indicates those dates are specific to that posting, and applicants should verify current due dates and check for any reissued or updated announcements if applying in a later cycle.
Does the listing specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided fields do not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. The listing notes this can be common and may mean those details are described elsewhere in the full FOA and/or NIH institute-specific guidance.
How should I confirm institute-specific requirements?
The listing advises applicants to consult the full announcement for complete and precise requirements, including any conditions tied to specific NIH Institutes or Centers participating in the opportunity.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 20 245 Funding Number: PA 20 245 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 20 248 Funding Number: PA 20 248 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31-Diversity) Apply for PA 20 251 Funding Number: PA 20 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 20 261 Funding Number: PA 20 261 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 20 262 Funding Number: PA 20 262 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 260 Funding Number: PA 20 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 265 Funding Number: PA 20 265 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Successor-in-Interest (Type 6 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 20 275 Funding Number: PA 20 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Apply for PA 21 051 Funding Number: PA 21 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 050 Funding Number: PA 21 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31-Diversity) Apply for PA 21 052 Funding Number: PA 21 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 049 Funding Number: PA 21 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) Apply for PA 21 048 Funding Number: PA 21 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 038 Funding Number: PAR 21 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 071 Funding Number: PA 21 071 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 21 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 21 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 169 Funding Number: PAR 21 169 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 173 Funding Number: PAR 21 173 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 21 004 Funding Number: RFA MD 21 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 155 Funding Number: PAR 21 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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