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The F32 ( PA-25-423 ) is available to all postdocs doing research in the aging field. All F32 recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of award. Postdocs may also be eligible for NIA career development awards , or for the REDI entrepreneurial development awards .
New Application and Review Process
Effective for receipt dates on or after January 25, 2025, fellowship review criteria have been revised. Read about changes to the fellowship review criteria and changes to fellowship applications .
Interested in learning more? Review the official notice NOT-OD-24-107: Implementation of Revisions to the NIH and AHRQ Fellowship Application and Review Process .
F32 at a Glance
- Eligibility: Postdoctoral Researchers
- Maximum Award Duration: Three years
- Yearly Due Dates: April 8, August 8, December 8
- Award Budget: $62,232-75,564 Stipend, $12,400 Institutional Allowance
Questions about F32 awards for aging or dementia research? Contact Jamie Lahvic, Ph.D., at NIATraining@mail.nih.gov .
| Number | Name | Career Stage | Discipline | Notice of Funding Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F32 | Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship | Postdoctoral researchers | All aging research | PA-25-423 |
Important Dates
NIH NRSA fellowships are awarded in three cycles every year, as described below.
| Receipt Cycle | Application or Resubmission Due Date | Initial Review Date | Earliest Possible Award Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 8 | June/July | December |
| 2 | August 8 | October/November | April |
| 3 | December 8 | February/March | July |
Award Duration
Postdocs may receive up to 3 years of postdoctoral research support from the National Research Service Award (NRSA) program, including the F32 individual fellowship and the T32 institutional training grant. Postdocs who have not been supported by a postdoctoral T32 may request the full 3 years of F32 funding. Those who have been supported by a postdoctoral T32 should subtract their years of T32 support and request 1 or 2 years of F32 funding accordingly. Speak to your program director to determine whether you have been funded on a T32.
How to Apply
Find information on applying .
To choose a study section to indicate on your Assignment Request Form, consult the list of NIH Fellowship study sections .
NIA F32 Stipend and Funding Levels
Yearly award budgets are composed of stipends, tuition and fees, and institutional allowance, as described below. F32 stipends are dependent on the number of years of postdoctoral experience. Updated information on budget levels can be found in NOT-OD-25-105 . Institutional Allowance may be used to cover expenses such as health insurance, research supplies, equipment, books, and travel to scientific meetings.
| Years Postdoctoral Experience | Stipend | Maximum Tuition Fees | Institutional Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $62,232 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 1 | $62,652 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 2 | $63,120 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 3 | $65,640 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 4 | $67,824 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 5 | $70,344 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 6 | $72,960 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
| 7+ | $75,564 | $4,500 | $12,400 |
Tuition and fees paid can be 60% of total institutional tuition, or $4,500, whichever is less. Except for postdocs enrolled in a degree-granting program, in which case tuition and fees paid can be 60% of the institutional tuition, or $16,000, whichever is less.
Institutional Allowance may be used to cover expenses such as health insurance, research supplies, equipment, books, and travel to scientific meetings.
Childcare Costs
Additionally, each fellow may request $3,000 per year to defray childcare costs from a licensed provider. Learn more in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Childcare Costs .
Components of an Individual Fellowship Application
Each fellowship application requires many parts; you should begin preparing your application well before the deadline. Below find the major components of an application and their length limits:
| Application Component | Length Limit |
|---|---|
| Abstract | 30 lines of text |
| Project Narrative | 3 sentences |
| Candidate Biosketch* | 5 pages |
| Sponsor Biosketch | 5 pages |
| Candidate Goals, Preparedness, and Potential | 3 pages |
| Training Activities and Timelines | 3 pages |
| Research Training Project Specific Aims | 1 page |
| Research Training Project Strategy | 6 pages |
| Sponsor(s) Commitment | 6 pages |
| Letters of Support from Collaborators, Contributors, and Consultants | 6 pages |
| 3-5 Reference Letters | 2 pages each |
*A biosketch is a document containing a CV, personal statement, and description of past research experience.
Detailed instructions for each application part can be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide .
For postdoctoral grant applications, a reference letter from your predoctoral thesis advisor is not required.
Payback Requirements
NRSA postdoctoral fellows incur a payback obligation that could affect F32 recipients who complete less than 2 years of their award. Read FAQs about the payback obligation .
Is my F32 research topic appropriate for the NIA?
Consult the list of currently funded NIA F32s .
If you would like feedback on the appropriateness of your research topic for NIA, please submit a one-page overview of your specific aims to Jamie Lahvic, Ph.D., at NIATraining@mail.nih.gov . A scientific program official from the appropriate division will contact you soon thereafter.