National Institute of Nursing Research’s

ReseaRch TRaining gRanTs

and oppoRTuniTies

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), 

a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 

is the Federal government’s primary agency for the 

support of nursing research. NINR supports basic 

and clinical research that develops the knowledge to 

build the scientific foundation for clinical practice, 

prevent disease and disability, manage and eliminate 

symptoms caused by illness, and enhance end-of-life 

and palliative care. 

NINR places great emphasis on research training to 

cultivate the next generation of nurse scientists, as well 

as other biobehavioral researchers whose work advances 

nursing science. Extramural (outside of NIH) awards 

and intramural (on the NIH campus) opportunities for 

research training are available for students beginning 

their research careers, as well as for scientists seeking 

to expand their research expertise. Among these 

opportunities, NINR provides support for trainees from 

underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

“nurses are already trained to make important 

observations, which is essentially what researchers 

do. any nurse is trained to do research on some level.” 

— dr. patricia a. grady 

director, national institute of nursing Research 1
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“Being a nurse scientist has opened doors for me that i couldn’t 

have imagined when i was an undergraduate nursing student.” 

— dr. Margaret grey 

dean, Yale university school of nursing
Career Development Awards

For postdoctoral and established investigators, NINR offers a range of career 

development (K) awards:

The K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award and the K01 Mentored 

Research Scientist Development Award for Underrepresented or Disadvantaged 

Investigators provide for additional mentored-research experience with expert 

investigators for career enhancement or to gain expertise in a new area.

The K22 Career Transition Award funds postdoctoral research training in two phases: 

an intramural phase at NIH, and an extramural phase to facilitate the transition to 

tenure-track research and faculty positions at university schools of nursing.

The K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is 

intended to encourage research-oriented clinicians to develop the research skills 

and experience needed to become independent investigators conducting patientoriented research. 

The K24 Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research targets 

outstanding clinical scientists who are actively engaged in patient-oriented 

research, allowing them protected time to devote to research and to act as 

mentors for beginning clinical investigators. 

The NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence (PI) Award is an NIH-wide program 

that allows promising postdoctoral scientists to receive both mentored and 

independent phases of research support for up to five years.

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NIH Research Supplements 

NIH offers administrative supplements to existing research 

grants to help promote the recruitment, training, and retention 

of eligible individuals. 

Research Supplements to Promote Reentry into Biomedical 

and Behavioral Research Careers (PA-08-191) are available 

to support scientists with high potential to reenter active 

research careers after taking time off for family or other 

responsibilities.

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related 

Research (PA-08-190) seek to improve the diversity of the 

research workforce by supporting students, postdoctoral 

scientists, and eligible investigators:

• with disabilities

• from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups

• from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally 

disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited the ability 

to pursue careers in health-related research.

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“I am just so excited that not only can I affect 

one life, but I help communities and answer 

questions as well.”

— Graciela Rodriguez-Santos 

Nursing student

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Intramural Training Opportunities 

NINR’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) offers several training opportunities and 

programs that take full advantage of the rich resources available on the NIH campus:

Post-baccalaureate training positions allow BSN-prepared nurses interested 

in exploring a career in research to spend a year engaged in biomedical 

investigation at NINR.

Pre- and postdoctoral fellowship positions, as well as summer internships, are 

available in the IRP laboratories. 

The Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP) in Biobehavioral Research, conducted 

in conjunction with schools of nursing, offers graduate students a range of 

research training experiences that provide credit towards a PhD.

The K22 Career Transition Award. See description under Career Development Awards.

The NINR Summer Genetics Institute (SGI) is an intensive program on the NIH 

campus that provides training in molecular genetics for use in research and 

clinical practice. It is intended for graduate students, faculty, and advanced 

practice nurses.

Developing Nurse Scientists, an online training program, provides an 

introduction to research grantsmanship for new doctoral graduates and 

early career scientists. It is available at www.ninr.nih.gov/Training/

OnlineDevelopingNurseScientists.

For more information on all of the training opportunities available through the 

NINR, as well as links to the on-line training grant applications and application 

instructions, visit www.ninr.nih.gov/training. 7
“Research has provided me the opportunity to 

engage in something that makes a difference in 

the field and improves the lives of everyone.”

— Dr. Patricia A. Grady

Director, National Institute of Nursing Research

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“as a nurse scientist, your research provides an 

evidence base for others to build upon and links 

you to the legacy of a healthier future. Research is 

a critical investment in the next generation.”

— dr. patricia a. grady 

director, national institute of nursing Research

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

www.ninr.nih.gov

National Institute of Nursing Research 

National Institutes of Health 

31 Center Drive, Room 5B10 

Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2178

nih publication #08-6371

printed June 2009