NIA T32 How to Apply

 

  • US Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply
  • You should apply during your second year of graduate study or later, preferably after having earned a Masters degree
  • You should be interested in research (planned dissertation or other research manuscripts) that aligns with the grant theme of non-pharmacological cognitive interventions
  • Your primary mentor should be a faculty member from our mentor list. If you meet all other criteria apart from this one, please contact the program leadership to discuss your options

Successful applicants will have…

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Research interests in aging & cognitive interventions
  • Commitment to a career in research
  • A strong letter of support from the chair of your dissertation committee

Join our Team!

Trainees

Summary of Application Steps

  1. Applicants will submit a Qualtrics form application. To see a sample, so you know what information to gather before beginning, click here
  2. The application has three sections
    1. Basic information about you
    2. You attach and upload your your trainee biosketch and trainee statement (see below for details)
    3. You attach your mentor’s biosketch, letter of support, and training plan (see below for details)

Application Steps for You

  • Complete the CTSI Modified Fellowship Biosketch
  • Submit your trainee statement. This statement should address:
    • your career goals, and how this training program to develop independent research careers can support those goals
    • your scholarly productivity to date, and your strategy to maintain and improve scholarly productivity if you receive protected research time from this fellowship
    • your fit with the grant themes, and in particular how your dissertation and/or other projects/papers will contribute to understanding non-pharmacological cognitive interventions for older adults

Application steps for your mentor

  • Complete the NIH Non-fellow biosketch
  • Summarize mentor’s training history; this should comprise a list of current & former PhD & Postdoctoral trainees, and should include each trainee’s dissertation (or main research) topic, and their current position & employer.
  • Submit mentor’s letter of support/evaluation of trainee. Letter may comment on
    • Research ability & potential to become an independent researcher;
    • Productivity & scholarly development to date;
    • Adequacy of scientific & technical background;
    • Written & verbal communication abilities, including ability to organize scientific data;
    • Quality of research endeavors or publications to date, if applicable;
    • Perseverance in pursuing goals;
    • Evidence of originality;
    • Need for further research experience & training;
    • Familiarity with research literature. 
  • Submit mentor’s training plan for trainee. This may include elements like
    • Mentor’s strategies for maintaining regular contact and supervision;
    • Mentor’s plans for ensuring trainee accountability and productivity;
    • Mentor’s plans for communicating about the trainee with T32 program directors;
    • Mentor’s perception of trainee’s growth needs, & your curricular/experiential plan for addressing those needs