Training & Grant Opportunities

The Georgetown University Aging and Alzheimer’s Research Training Program (AART) is designed for predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows whose backgrounds have not included substantial previous training in aging or Alzheimer’s disease. It is driven by a transdisciplinary group of more than 20 researchers from 10 departments, across biomedical topics that are associated with cognitive impairment with aging (e.g., diabetes, HIV-infection, traumatic brain injury, proteinopathies, chemotherapy, seizures). The AART program directs aspects of these research disciplines more directly to aging and AD research through the trainees.

The Training Program in Neural Injury and Plasticity (NIP) grew from Georgetown’s Center for Neural Injury and Recovery (CNIR) and represents a unique and highly collaborative endeavor at the university. Since its inception in 2001, the NIP Training Program has provided support for many predoctoral students during their thesis period, as well as postdoctoral trainees. Predoctoral participants are drawn from the IPN and represent a highly competitive group of applicants.

The Neuroscience of Language Training Program provides an integrated training program including: 1) a Curriculum of Coursework designed to provide a strong cross-disciplinary conceptual and technical knowledge base; 2) Clinical Experience with communication disorders to help trainees understand the clinical impact of their research; 3) Community Engagement to foster understanding about how research impacts the community; 4) Training in the Professional Skills and Ethical Practices necessary for a successful research career; and 5) an interdisciplinary and diverse Community of Scholars focused on the neuroscience of language research.

The Pharmacological Sciences Training Program (PSTP) at Georgetown University Medical Center is an interdisciplinary and integrated training program that aims to bring together an inclusive and diverse community of doctoral candidates across Ph.D. disciplines who are dedicated to thesis research in pharmacological science. Trainees will prepare for future careers in academia, the pharma or biotechnology industry, or drug regulatory agencies. We provide Ph.D. students with advanced training in physiology and pharmacotherapeutics, taking a systems view ranging from cellular networks to organ function to behavior and systems medicine.

The NIH TL1-funded Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Program in Translational Biomedical Science provides an individualized career development plan that includes: 1) didactic education in human health and disease along with technical skill development and rigorous research methodology; 2) mentored experiential learning in clinical medicine; 3) dual-mentored research training in preclinical and clinical research; 4) individualized career guidance; and 5) training in team science and leadership skills.

The objective of the predoctoral Training Program in NeuroHIV (TPNH) at Georgetown University is to train rising neuroscientists to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms whereby HIV infection leads to the neurodegenerative processes. The TPNH is built on the existing strengths of both the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) and the basic and clinical research on HIV at Georgetown University. Participating faculty provide expertise in neurodegeneration, immunology, neuroinflammation, neuropharmacology and infectious diseases. This interdisciplinary approach is provided by participating faculty from different departments. Our faculty are heavily involved in predoctoral training and have a history of mentorship.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) aims to ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in fields within the NSF’s mission of promoting the progress of science; advancing the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and securing the national defense.

The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The ranks of NSF Fellows include individuals who have made transformative breakthroughs in science and engineering research and have become leaders; some have become Nobel laureates.

The NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) is a fellowship program whose overall goal is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The purpose of the predoctoral fellowship (F31) award is to provide support for promising doctoral candidates who will be performing dissertation research and training in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes during the tenure of the award. The NRSA for Individual Predoctoral Fellows will provide up to five years of support for research training which leads to the Ph.D. or equivalent research degree, the combined M.D./Ph.D. degree, or another formally combined professional degree and research doctoral degree in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a highly competitive, portable fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. dual citizens who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in one of 15 disciplines, including Cognitive, Neural and Behavioral Science, Biosciences, and Computer and Computational Sciences. NDSEG confers high honors upon its recipients and allows them to attend whichever U.S. institution they choose.

The Georgetown University Medical Center Graduate Student Organization (MCGSO) Travel Grant aims to advance the scientific education of graduate students by promoting attendance at academic conferences and research forums. Travel grant winners are selected the semester before the trip is taken, but awards will not be distributed until after receipts are submitted.

Graduate students in the Biomedical Graduate Education programs at Georgetown University are eligible for the grant. Students must be presenting a poster/talk or participating on a panel.

The MCGSO Student Research Grants Program (SRGP) was initiated to give graduate students an opportunity to conduct small, independent research projects and to give graduate students an opportunity to write and review grants. Projects funded by this mechanism must be separate from any active ongoing research in your mentor’s lab.

As an interdisciplinary program, the IPN cannot feasibly provide individualized, thesis-relevant training to every one of its students. Not all labs may be able to support training opportunities outside of those provided at conferences. Thus, students will have the opportunity to apply for career development funds via the IPN Training Award, made possible through generous contributions to the Career Development Initiative fund.

The purpose of this award is to:

• Allow IPN students to apply for funding to attend a workshop or learn a skill at a workshop/conference that they could apply to their current and future research
• Foster professional development that would benefit them at GU and in their careers
• Fill a gap in currently available funding mechanisms to support graduate education/training

The Training Award is emblematic of our graduate education in the IPN: Exposure to cutting-edge topics to develop new hypotheses.

Applications will be accepted from thesis students and will require justification for travel and how the travel will be of benefit to both short and long term career plans. A faculty committee will review applications and allocate funding for travel as appropriate.

• Application Guidelines
• Application Review Criteria

The purpose of the Dissertation Fellowship is to offset a scholar’s living expenses while she completes her dissertation. The program provides fellowships for women pursuing full-time study to complete dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research full time, or preparing research for publication for eight consecutive weeks.

The Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus (APSSC) provides a funding source for APS Student Affiliates to conduct research that currently is in its initial development. The APSSC Student Grant Competition offers partial financial support for various research expenses (e.g., the purchase of research materials) prior to data collection. Up to three awards will be available to graduate student affiliates. Research proposals in all areas of psychological science are welcome.

The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Washington Fellows Program offers policy fellowships to graduate students and postdocs (up to four years after completing training).

The American Psychological Foundation (APF) F.J. McGuigan Dissertation Award supports dissertation research that addresses any aspect of mental function (e.g., cognition, affect, motivation) and should utilize behavioral and/or neuroscientific methods. Proposed research should be compatible with Dr. McGuigan’s overall goals and may fall within any area of contemporary behavioral or brain science (including more recent forms of cognitive psychology).

The Dingwall Foundation Foundations of Language Fellowship seeks to support students’ dissertation research.

The Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) will provide language scholarships to graduate students in Main Campus programs who need to develop language skills for their research or to meet proficiency requirements. On the recommendation of the student’s Director of Graduate Studies, a scholarship will be provided to cover enrollment in one approved language course per semester.

Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) Fellowships are intended to provide supplemental funding to women scientists conducting research in the natural sciences. The major component of the research can be either applied or basic.

Grass Foudnation Fellowships at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, support a summerlong investigator-designed, independent research projects by scientists early in their career. Supported approaches include neurophysiology, biophysics, integrative neurobiology, neuroethology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, systems neuroscience, cellular and developmental neurobiology, and computational approaches to neural systems. The foundation also has a longstanding interest in epilepsy-related research.

Offered by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the Global Health Disparities Research Training Program occurs every year and is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Minority students enrolled in or recently graduated from B.A., B.S., M.A., MPH, Ph.D., M.D. or other master’s or doctoral programs are eligible for the program. Interns will work on research projects for 12 weeks under the guidance of prominent international scientists in one of the countries in Latin America, Europe and Africa.

The National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early-career scholars working in critical areas of educational scholarship. Fellows will receive $55,000 for one academic year of research, or $27,500 for each of two contiguous years, working half time. Fellows will also attend professional development retreats and receive mentorship from NAEd members and other senior scholars in their field. This fellowship is nonresidential, and applications from all disciplines are encouraged.

Supported by NIMH, NIDA and NIA. Learn more about R36 dissertation awards.

Research!America works to bring decision-makers and advocates for medical and health research together to work on serving the public interest.

The Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP) is a multiyear program designed to enhance career development and professional networking opportunities for underrepresented and diverse graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the field of neuroscience.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) frequently offers a short-term science policy fellowship in the summer or fall. Check the SfN website for openings.

The core of the Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success (SPINES) program is an intensive one-month experience that exposes trainees to neuroscience research, ethics and professional development opportunities including grant writing, teaching, public speaking, and work/family balance, and science-related careers.

This program is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health that covers tuition, room and board, and travel for all enrolled students. The SPINES course is targeted to groups underrepresented in neuroscience to increase the probability of professional success, although applications from any qualified students are welcome.

The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings provide a globally recognized forum for the exchange of knowledge between Nobel Laureates and young researchers. The scientific programcomprises interdisciplinary platform discussions, lectures presented by the Laureates and seminar talks and is spread over several days. Young researchers from more than 60 countries attend any one Meeting. More information is available at the website.

• 2014: Valerie Darcey
• 2011: Sonya Dumanis and Evan Gordon

The purpose of the NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) award is to provide support to promising postdoctoral applicants who have the potential to become productive and successful independent research investigators. The proposed postdoctoral training must offer an opportunity to enhance the applicant’s understanding of the health-related sciences, and must be within the broad scope of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research or other specific disciplines relevant to the research mission of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. Applicants with a health professional doctoral degree may use the proposed postdoctoral training to satisfy a portion of the degree requirements for a master’s degree, a research doctoral degree or any other advanced research degree program.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) manages and administers Science & Technology Policy Fellowships in five program areas to provide the opportunity for accomplished scientists and engineers to participate in and contribute to the federal policymaking process while learning firsthand about the intersection of science and policy.

Bearing the Presidential moniker, the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) is a flagship leadership development program at the entry level for advanced degree candidates. It was created more than three decades ago by executive oder and has gone through many changes over the years. The program attracts and selects the best candidates possible, but is designed with a more narrow focus – developing a cadre of potential government leaders. It provides some sustenance during the first years of employment and encourages development of leadership capabilities. The PMF program inculcates a lasting bond as well as a spirit of public service, ultimately encouraging and leading to a career in the government.

A National Academies of Sciences Graduate Fellowship program designed to engage graduate science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, and law students in the analysis and creation of science and technology policy and to familiarize them with the interactions of science, technology, and government. Visit the National Academies of Sciences grants and fellowships page to find this program.

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences established the Hellman Fellowship in Science and Technology Policy for an early-career professional with training in science or engineering who is interested in transitioning to a career in public policy and administration. While in residence, the Hellman Fellow will work with senior scientists and policy experts on critical national and international policy issues related to science, engineering, and technology. The focus of the work will be on one or more of the ongoing projects under the Academy’s Initiative for Science, Engineering, and Technology to which the Hellman Fellow will contribute substantively.