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) | PA 20 245

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 20 245

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs, commonly referred to as the Parent F30 (Funding Opportunity Number PA-20-245), is an NIH fellowship opportunity meant to support predoctoral students pursuing dual-doctoral degrees who want to become physician- or clinician-scientists. It is specifically aimed at students who are enrolled in integrated dual-degree programs such as MD/PhD or other comparable combinations (for example DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, AuD/PhD, or DVM/PhD) and who are training at institutions that do not have NIH-funded institutional predoctoral dual-degree training programs. The central idea is to strengthen the student’s ability to combine rigorous scientific research with clinical training in a way that makes them more likely to develop into an independent, productive clinician-scientist over the long term.

A key feature of this fellowship is that it requires the applicant to put forward a well-integrated plan that brings together both components of their professional development: (1) a structured clinical training trajectory consistent with their dual-degree program and (2) a strong dissertation research project. The proposed research must fall within scientific, health-related areas that align with the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers. In other words, this is not just general tuition support; it is a targeted investment in the applicant as a developing clinician-scientist, with the expectation that the fellowship period will noticeably enhance the applicant’s research capabilities, training environment, and career direction.

This FOA is also clear about the type of clinical trial activity that is and is not appropriate. It is designed for applicants whose research plans do not include leading an independent clinical trial, conducting an independent clinical trial feasibility study, or running an ancillary clinical trial as the lead. However, it does allow the fellow to gain meaningful experience in a clinical trial setting as long as the clinical trial is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor (in practice, this generally means the fellow can participate and learn within an existing trial under appropriate supervision, rather than being the person responsible for directing the trial).

In terms of who can apply as the sponsoring organization, the eligibility categories are broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a range of nonprofit and for-profit entities (including small businesses), as well as other organizational types. The announcement also highlights eligibility for several institution types that often have specific federal designations, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as eligible federal government agencies. At the same time, the FOA draws a firm boundary around non-U.S. applicants: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible either. That said, foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning parts of the proposed work can involve certain foreign collaborations or elements if they meet NIH’s rules for foreign components.

From a basic administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant mechanism administered by the National Institutes of Health, and it falls under the broader NRSA fellowship structure, which is widely used by NIH to support research training. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (now often referenced through assistance listing numbers), reflecting that multiple NIH Institutes and Centers can participate and support fellows depending on the scientific area. The original closing date listed in the provided record is October 26, 2020, and the public summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the fields provided, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for the most current budget, stipend, and policy details.

Overall, the Parent F30 in this form is best understood as a career-development-focused predoctoral fellowship for dual-degree trainees at institutions without NIH-funded institutional dual-degree training programs, requiring a cohesive plan that tightly links dissertation research with clinical training, and prioritizing preparation for a future as an independent physician/clinician-scientist while limiting the applicant’s role in independently led clinical trials.

• 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 Without 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, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.351, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-26. (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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