Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 286
Apply for PAR 19 286
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program (Fi2)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program (Fi2) is a National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) funding opportunity offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that focuses on strengthening postdoctoral training in the basic biomedical sciences. Its central purpose is to support a diverse cohort of postdoctoral fellows working in NIH Intramural Research Program laboratories, pairing rigorous research experiences with intentional preparation for long-term career success. The program is designed not just to fund a project, but to shape scientists into future leaders across biomedical career paths by providing structured training, strong mentorship, and professional development.
The research scope is tied closely to the NIGMS mission, meaning proposed projects should sit within core areas of fundamental biomedical science rather than disease-specific or clinically oriented work. Relevant fields include (but are not limited to) biological chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, cellular and molecular biology, computational biosciences, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, and technology development. In practice, this means applicants are expected to propose scientifically solid, basic-research-driven projects that can be carried out in an NIH intramural lab environment while contributing to broad foundational knowledge and methods that underpin biomedical advances.
A defining feature of PRAT is that it emphasizes a structured training environment beyond day-to-day bench or computational work. Alongside the research appointment, the program builds in career and professional development activities, mentoring support, and networking opportunities that are planned and backed by the program itself. This includes the kinds of training elements that help postdocs transition into independent and leadership roles, such as guidance on scientific communication, career exploration and planning, and relationship-building with mentors and peers across NIH. The intent is to make the postdoctoral period more cohesive and purpose-driven, rather than leaving career development to chance or to individual labs alone.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed as PAR-19-286 and falls under a discretionary grant mechanism within the NIH health funding category (CFDA 93.859). Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education, while foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. At the same time, “foreign components†may be allowed as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally refers to specific project elements conducted outside the U.S. under an otherwise eligible application; the exact boundaries and documentation expectations are typically clarified in the full funding announcement. The original closing date shown for this opportunity is October 4, 2021, and the posting indicates it was created on May 21, 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program (Fi2) - PAR-19-286
What is the PRAT Program (Fi2)?
The Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) Program (Fi2) is a National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) funding opportunity offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is focused on strengthening postdoctoral training in the basic biomedical sciences by supporting a cohort of postdoctoral fellows working in NIH Intramural Research Program laboratories.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central purpose is to support a diverse cohort of postdoctoral fellows at NIH intramural labs and combine rigorous research experiences with intentional preparation for long-term career success. The program is designed to shape scientists into future leaders across biomedical career paths through structured training, strong mentorship, and professional development.
Is PRAT mainly funding research projects or training experiences?
PRAT is described as being designed not just to fund a project, but to support a structured training environment. Research is a core component, but the opportunity explicitly emphasizes mentorship, career and professional development, and networking that are planned and supported by the program.
Where is the research expected to be conducted?
Supported postdoctoral fellows work in NIH Intramural Research Program laboratories. The expectation is that applicants propose projects that can be carried out in an NIH intramural lab environment.
What scientific areas are within scope for PRAT?
The research scope is tied closely to the NIGMS mission and focuses on fundamental (basic) biomedical science rather than disease-specific or clinically oriented work. Fields mentioned as relevant include (but are not limited to): biological chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, cellular and molecular biology, computational biosciences, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, and technology development.
Does PRAT support disease-specific or clinically oriented research?
The opportunity is described as emphasizing core areas of fundamental biomedical science. Applicants are expected to propose basic-research-driven projects rather than disease-specific or clinically oriented work.
What does “basic-research-driven†mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, it means proposed projects should contribute to broad foundational knowledge and methods that underpin biomedical advances, aligning with NIGMS core areas rather than being primarily clinical or disease-targeted.
What makes PRAT different from a standard postdoctoral position?
A defining feature is its emphasis on a structured training environment beyond day-to-day bench or computational work. The program builds in career and professional development activities, mentoring support, and networking opportunities that are planned and backed by the program, with the intent to make the postdoctoral period more cohesive and purpose-driven.
What types of training and professional development are emphasized?
The description highlights preparation for independent and leadership roles, including training elements such as guidance on scientific communication, career exploration and planning, and relationship-building with mentors and peers across NIH.
Who sponsors or offers this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is associated with the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).
What is the funding opportunity number or identifier?
The opportunity is listed as PAR-19-286.
What funding category and mechanism are referenced?
It is described as a discretionary grant mechanism within the NIH health funding category. It is also associated with CFDA 93.859.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply based on the information provided.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. The information states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.
Are “foreign components†allowed at all?
Yes, “foreign components†may be allowed as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In general terms (as summarized in the description), this refers to specific project elements conducted outside the U.S. under an otherwise eligible application, with boundaries and documentation expectations typically clarified in the full funding announcement.
What is meant by “foreign components†in this listing?
The description indicates that “foreign components†generally refers to specific elements of the project conducted outside the U.S. while the main application remains eligible. The exact limits and documentation are typically addressed in the full funding announcement and NIH policy.
What is the closing date shown for this opportunity?
The original closing date shown is October 4, 2021.
When was this opportunity created or initially posted?
The posting indicates it was created on May 21, 2019.
What is the overall goal for participants supported through PRAT?
The program aims to prepare postdoctoral scientists for long-term career success and to develop future leaders across biomedical career paths by pairing rigorous research with structured mentorship and professional development.
What kind of research environment does PRAT emphasize?
It emphasizes an NIH intramural laboratory environment combined with program-supported mentoring, professional development, and networking, rather than leaving career development solely to individual labs.
Is the program focused on building a cohort?
Yes. The description states that it supports a diverse cohort of postdoctoral fellows, suggesting a cohort-based training experience with opportunities for networking and peer connections across NIH.
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