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APHIS NBAF Scientist Training

Program

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First student cohort at the program's kick-off event at Plum Island Animal

Disease Center, Fall 2018

APHIS established this graduate training program to develop the next generation of

scientists to support the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory’s (FADDL)
current and expanded mission objectives at the National Bio and Agro-Defense

Facility (NBAF). 

Background

FADDL is a national reference laboratory for APHIS Veterinary Services and the

National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and an international reference

laboratory for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and

the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). FADDL is currently located at the

Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), the only U.S. location approved for

handling high-consequence foreign animal diseases (FAD), including foot-and-mouth

disease and rinderpest viruses. The majority of the U.S. FAD diagnostic expertise for

livestock diseases resides at PIADC-FADDL, within approximately 20 scientists that

include microbiologists, veterinarians, and veterinary scientists (DVM/PhD). It is

likely that most of FADDL’s subject matter experts (SMEs) will not relocate to the

new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Kansas, creating an FAD SME

gap throughout the transition process and during stand-up of FADDL at NBAF.

Furthermore, the FADDL mission will expand at NBAF to include zoonotic and

emerging diseases, with a new emphasis on biosafety level (BSL)-4 pathogens. SMEs

knowledgeable in these agents and with expertise in working in BSL-4 laboratories

will be critical to develop BSL-4 programs at NBAF.

To minimize the anticipated SME gap and identify highly qualified candidates to fill

key roles in the new NBAF facility, APHIS has developed a graduate training

program, the APHIS NBAF Scientist Training Program (NSTP). Applicants for the

program must be enrolled in a graduate level (MS, PhD, or DVM/PhD) program at a

partner university and in a laboratory-based field of study, including microbiology,

virology, molecular biology, diagnostics, and bioinformatics. APHIS will work with

partner universities and laboratories to ensure the fellows’ research projects address

specific FADs and capability needs. Once accepted into the NSTP, the fellows will

receive funding to cover tuition and fees, stipend, health benefits, materials and

supplies, travel, and publication costs, for a period not to exceed 5 years. Upon

successful completion of the programs, each fellow will be offered a full-time Federal

position and required to fulfill a service commitment at NBAF, PIADC-FADDL, or both,

depending on agency needs and timing of degree completion.

Program Outline
Degree-Granting Programs Covered

MS, PhD, and DVM/PhD

Support Provided for Each Fellow

Tuition and fees, stipend, health benefits, materials and supplies, travel, and

publication costs

Maximum Period of Support

3 years (MS), 4 years (PhD), or 5 years (DVM/PhD)

Expectations

In addition to specific degree requirements, fellows will maintain a minimum 3.25

GPA and support NBAF SOP development and transition related activities where

appropriate.

Eligibility

Individuals enrolled in covered degree program at selected universities, including

but not limited to: Kansas State University, Iowa State University, Mississippi State

University, Auburn University, North Carolina State University, University of

Wisconsin, Tufts University, University of Texas Medical Branch, Louisiana State

University, Colorado State University, and the University of Georgia. Students at

academic institutions that offer education and experience in agriculture and

microbiology related sciences are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the office of the dean or department head of the

university. A separate NSTP application, including current CV and letter of intent

letters of reference, is required following acceptance into an approved graduate

degree program.

Federal Position
At completion, fellows offered Federal positions in area of expertise and target grade

Service Commitment

Based on the number of years of funding received, fellows will be required to fulfill a

tiered service commitment following completion of the program. Four years of

service at target position for 2 years of funding, 5 years for 3 years, 6 years for 4

years, and 7 years for 5 years. Failure to complete service commitment will require

fellow to repay funding to the NSTP.

Application Procedure

NSTP will accept applications twice annually. For the Fall 2022 enrollment,

applications were due June 15.

For interested students: The application process is coordinated through your

university. The university will provide application packets and additional information

regarding timelines, point of contact and process for submission through your

university. Note: NSTP will not accept applications directly from applicants.

For universities: Contact NSTP directly to obtain application packets and detailed

instructions on the submission process.

Complete application packets include the NSTP application form, current resume/CV,

letter of interest, and three letters of recommendation. Application packets are to be

submitted though the university point of contact along with the evaluation rubric.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the

application process by sending an email to nstp@usda.gov.

Alexa Bracht, NSTP Coordinator

Dr. Jamie Barnabei, NSTP Program Manager

Program Contacts

Contacts for all NSTP-related questions:

Alexa Bracht

Program Coordinator

Email: alexa.j.bracht@usda.gov
Jamie Barnabei, DVM, MPH

Program Manager

Email: jamie.l.barnabei@usda.gov

Press

1st Annual NSTP Symposium

NBAF UPDATE: Developing NBAF’s Diagnostic Workforce of Tomorrow

Future Defenders: NBAF Scientist Training Program Supports Student

Development and Biodefense Workforce

Kortum's Dream Career in Infectious Disease Becomes Reality

Auburn Veterinary Student Selected for USDA-APHIS Scientist Training Program

Elite National Training Program Leads Veterinary Medicine Graduate

Researchers into Biodefense Workforce

#IAmScience: Kaitlyn Waters

Photo Gallery

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USDA National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) entrance sign

NSTP participants tour the NBAF facility.

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First NSTP cohort at the kick-off event at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Fall

2018

Aerial view of Plum Island

Symposium held at NBAF

NBAF at sunset