NIH Intramural Postdoctoral Research Training Award (IRTA) – US National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States’ premier biomedical research agency, offers fully funded Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) positions for postdoctoral scientists. NIH’s intramural program is one of the largest biomedical research institutions in the world, with laboratories spanning virtually every area of biomedical and behavioral science. Applications are accepted on a rolling/open basis year-round — there is no single deadline.
Programme Benefits
- Fully funded position: competitive stipend starting at ~$56,000/year for new postdocs, increasing with experience (scale updated annually).
- No tuition fees — this is a training award, not a degree programme.
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities across NIH’s 27 institutes and centers in Bethesda, MD (and other locations).
- Health insurance coverage for fellows and dependents.
- Training, mentorship, and career development support via the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE).
- Opportunity to publish in leading journals and attend national/international conferences.
- US citizens, permanent residents, and international scientists are all eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have received a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DVM, DDS, or equivalent) within the last five years.
- Open to scientists from any country — international applicants are welcome.
- Must identify an NIH principal investigator (PI) whose research aligns with your interests and secure their agreement to host you.
How to Apply
- Browse open postdoc positions and NIH PI research interests at training.nih.gov/research-training/pd/.
- Contact NIH PIs directly with a personalized email, your CV, and three reference contacts.
- Applications are accepted year-round — NIH recommends applying at least 9 months before your preferred start date.
- Specific institute listings (NIMH, NHLBI, NIEHS, NCI, etc.) accept rolling applications via their own portals.
The NIH intramural programme offers an unparalleled environment for postdoctoral training — world-class mentors, cutting-edge facilities, and a collaborative, mission-driven culture. If you have just completed your doctorate and want to conduct high-impact biomedical research in the US, this is among the most prestigious routes available.
Always verify stipend rates, availability, and application procedures on the official NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education website before applying.