NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program
- Purpose
- Eligibility
- NIDDK Contact
- Application Process
- Length of Award
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Benefits and Services
- Federal Background Check
Purpose
The program provides recent college graduates the opportunity to pursue full-time research for 1-2 years at NIDDK campuses in Bethesda, MD or Phoenix, AZ. Benefits include
- fellowship stipend with health insurance provided by NIDDK
- relocation expenses up to $1500
- financial support to attend one national scientific conference
- cohort support system, principal investigator (PI) support, and secondary mentoring network; the program identifies potential mentors for program participants
- access to other benefits and services—including professional development and leadership opportunities—that are available to NIDDK postbac trainees
Over 90 principal investigators lead research teams exploring basic biological processes as well as clinical research on diabetes, digestive diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders, hematologic, kidney and liver diseases, nutrition and obesity. Access a list of mentors that will participate in 2025.
Eligibility
Applicants must
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- complete a bachelor's degree by the start of postbaccalaureate fellowship or have obtained a B.A. or B.S. within three years prior to the fellowship start date
- Individuals who are more than three years past the receipt of their bachelor's degree but received a master's degree less than SIX MONTHS before they begin the program can apply to the program.
- plan on applying to graduate/professional school if not already accepted
- pass a federal background check
NIDDK Contact
NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program Team
Application Process
Applications open September 1, 2024 and must be received by 5pm EST, December 6, 2024.
Before you apply, contact the Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program Team to discuss your interest in the program and the application process.
When you apply, submit your NIH postbaccalaureate application to the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) NIH external link.
In addition, your CV must be emailed to the Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program Team in the NIDDK Fellows Career Development and Recruitment Office.
Semi-finalists will be invited to a virtual interview. Finalists selected by a panel of NIDDK intramural scientists will be notified early January 2025.
Length of Award
Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars are eligible for initial one-year awards (appointments) with one renewal for an additional year under the most justifiable circumstances.
Being an NIDDK fellow has fostered my professional goals and expanded my network in many ways. Outside of allowing me to contribute to and present cutting-edge research, NIDDK has sharpened my leadership skills, provided me with lifelong mentors, and given me access to seminars and developmental workshops from experts in their fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the most common questions about the program are answered below.
Most positions start between June and August, but some flexibility exists.
No. If you want to join the program at a later date, you must resubmit an application in the fiscal year that you plan to start.
The program does not provide housing expenses, but relocation expenses are reimbursed up to $1500.
To find more information on the 2025 NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program Investigators Project Description and Diversity Statement, please see below:
Investigators for NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program 2025 (PDF, 2.46 MB)
The following mentors are participating in the program in 2025.
- Daniel Appella, Ph.D.
- Leslie J. Baier, Ph.D.
- Harris D. Bernstein, Ph.D.
- Carole A. Bewley, Ph.D.
- Rebecca J. Brown, M.D., M.H.Sc., Lasker Tenure Track Investigator
- Susan K. Buchanan, Ph.D.
- Rafael Daniel Camerini-Otero M.D., Ph.D.
- Stephanie T. Chung, M.B.B.S.
- Valerie Darcey, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar
- Ann Dean, Ph.D.
- Jurrien Dean, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator
- Douglas Forrest, Ph.D.
- Ashley Frakes, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
- Nicholas R. Guydosh, Ph.D.
- Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D.
- Andrew Lutas, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
- Katherine McJunkin, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
- Priyanka Narayan, Ph.D.
- Lynnette K. Nieman, M.D. NIH external link
- Florencia Pratto, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar
- Barbara Rehermann, M.D.
- Margaret L. Rodgers, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
- Anne Elizabeth Sumner, M.D.
- Yihong Ye, Ph.D.
- Jinwei Zhang, Ph.D., Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
No, you do not need to identify a mentor or research group when you apply to the program. NIDDK will help you match with a mentor. However, we encourage you to let us know if there is a specific mentor, research group, or project you are interested in.
Yes, you will be offered interviews with at least three mentors. Additionally, more than one mentor may express interest in you joining their group. You may choose to accept or decline the offers you receive.
Please let us know the mentor or research group you are interested in and we will follow up with you.
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 External link (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.