Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP)
On this page:
- Purpose
- Eligibility
- NIDDK Contact
- Find a Mentor and Apply
- Length of Award
- Benefits and Services
- Federal Background Check
Purpose
The NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education hosts the Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP) that brings a cohort of Ph.D. graduate students to the NIH Intramural Research campus for dissertation research. Additional program details are available on the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education website.
Eligibility
There are many NIH-University partnerships available to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or international graduate students. There are two pathways for GPP students:
- Individual Partnerships are for Ph.D. graduate students already enrolled in a university who wish to create a partnership agreement between the NIH and their Ph.D. graduate program.
- Institutional Partnerships are for students who wish to enroll in a Ph.D. program at a university that has a formal partnership with the NIH.
Individuals who are U.S. permanent residents must be attending or have been accepted into institutions in the U.S.
Applicants must pass a federal background check.
NIDDK Contact
Contact the NIDDK Fellows Career Development and Recruitment Office to learn how to apply.
Find a Mentor and Apply
Before you apply for an individual partnership, review NIDDK Labs and Branches and identify potential faculty whose research interests align with your goals. Consider contacting faculty directly to discuss your interest in a position at NIDDK. Read tips for finding the right mentor.
Applications for individual partnerships are open year-round. Applications for institutional partnerships are open from August 19 to December 2.
Length of Award
Varies depending on dissertation work and university requirements.
Benefits and Services
Learn about numerous benefits and services available to trainees in this program.
Federal Background Check
To be approved for access to NIH facilities and systems, candidates must be able to pass a federal background check, using Standard Form-85 (read SF-85 (PDF, 204 KB) ). NOTE: Section 14 of the form asks, “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” The question pertains to the illegal use of drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though potentially permissible under state laws.