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Plan your move
Resources to prepare you for your transition to the area surrounding the NIH campus location of your new role.
On this page
- Before getting here
- Moving near main campus (Bethesda, Rockville, Shady Grove, Twinbrook)
- Moving to areas beyond main campus
Information in advance of your move
Moving to a new area for a position can be challenging, with many important factors to keep in mind. As you plan your move, focus on both personal and work needs. Read emails from NIH and respond promptly, as there is a lot of paperwork to complete. Failure to respond to requests for information in a timely fashion can significantly delay your start at NIH.
You should not make firm plans for your move until you are officially approved for a fellowship.
Before getting here
Complete your background check
Communicate with your research group
Request reasonable accommodations
Relocation benefits
Non-FTE fellows (IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows) who relocate to an NIH location for the purpose of participating in an NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) fellowship may be eligible to receive $1,500 to cover reasonable relocation costs. Eligible fellows must have an initial fellowship of one year. Supplemental fellows are only eligible if they are not explicitly receiving funds for relocation costs from their outside (non-NIH) sponsor. Relocation costs are provided as a one-time stipend adjustment once a fellow arrives at NIH. Please reach out to your Administrative Officer (AO) about the process to receive relocation allowance.
Moving near main campus (Bethesda, Rockville, Shady Grove, Twinbrook)
Read the DIS DC welcome guide
Explore childcare & family programs
Find information on the Division of Amenities & Transportation Service (DATS) website. Open Modal
Commuting to main campus
Find housing near main campus
Moving to areas beyond main campus
The NIH intramural program is located across the nation, with trainees doing research in multiple states. Each campus compiles their own moving guide, complete with local resources for trainee use. For more information about things to keep in mind when entering other NIH campuses, check with your research group.
Bayview Biomedical Research Center (Baltimore, MD)
Framingham Heart Study (Framingham, MA)
Email your campus contact. Open Modal
Frederick Cancer Research & Development Center, Fort Detrick (Frederick, MD)
Moving to Frederick, Maryland. Open Modal
Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch (Phoenix, AZ)
Email your campus contact. Open Modal
Research Triangle Park (RTP, NC)
Moving to North Carolina. Open Modal
Rocky Mountain Labs (Hamilton, MT)
Contact us
Reach out to us at oite@nih.gov with questions.
Next steps
Once you've figured out the details of your move, continue to the next stage:
This page was last reviewed on April 21, 2026.