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) | PA 23 260

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 23 260

The 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) is an NIH fellowship opportunity designed to support predoctoral students who are pursuing dual-doctoral training and plan to become physician- or clinician-scientists. The core aim is to strengthen the integration between a student’s research training and clinical training so that, by the end of the fellowship, the candidate is better positioned to grow into a productive, independent investigator whose work connects directly to human health. This NOFO is specifically framed around students who are already enrolled in combined programs such as MD/PhD, and it also explicitly includes other dual-degree pathways like DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, AuD/PhD, and DVM/PhD, reflecting NIH’s interest in supporting clinician-scientists across a wide range of health professions.

A key feature of this F30 is that applicants must propose two tightly connected elements: an integrated research and clinical training plan and a dissertation research project. The training plan is meant to show how the applicant will intentionally build both scientific and clinical competencies during the fellowship period, rather than treating research and clinical education as separate tracks. The dissertation project must fall within scientific, health-related fields that align with the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers, which means the specific topic area should clearly map to NIH program priorities. The fellowship is also expected to provide clear, individualized value added, in other words, reviewers will be looking for evidence that the proposed fellowship activities, mentorship, and training environment will meaningfully accelerate the applicant’s trajectory toward an independent clinician-scientist career.

This funding opportunity is also very clear about what kinds of clinical trial involvement are allowed. It is intended for research that does not involve the fellow leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. However, it does allow the fellow to gain research experience within a clinical trial that is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor, which can be important for dual-degree trainees who want exposure to clinical research operations, trial design, or translational work without taking on the role of an independent trial leader.

Eligibility is anchored to the institutional setting: the NOFO supports students at institutions that have NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. The broader eligibility language includes a wide range of applicant organization types commonly listed across federal opportunities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, and various levels of government entities. It also highlights categories of institutions and organizations that are often emphasized for inclusive participation, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and certain tribal and regional organizations, as well as U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it draws firm boundaries around foreign participation: non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, which typically means certain international elements may be permissible when they are justified and meet NIH policy definitions.

Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism categorized under a broad set of public assistance listings (CFDA/assistance numbers) reflecting participation across multiple NIH Institutes and Centers. The opportunity number is PA-23-260, and the listed original closing date is 2025-09-07. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which is common for some NIH fellowship announcements where funding levels are guided by NIH fellowship policies, institute budgets, and the number of meritorious applications in a given cycle.

Overall, this Parent F30 is best understood as a structured, mentored fellowship investment in the next generation of clinician-scientists, focused on applicants in dual-doctoral programs who can present a well-integrated plan that bridges rigorous dissertation research with purposeful clinical development, while staying within NIH’s boundaries around independent clinical trial leadership.

• 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 Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)" 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, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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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