NIH Medical Scientist Partnership Program (FM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services, administers the Medical Scientist Partnership Program (MSPP) through various participating Institutes and Centers. These include NIAID, NCI, NEI, NHLBI, NHGRI, NIA, NIDCD, NIDA, NIEHS, NINDS, NCATS, NIDCR, and NIAMS. The MSPP is structured to support predoctoral students pursuing combined clinical and research doctoral degrees, such as M.D./Ph.D., D.D.S./Ph.D., or D.V.M./Ph.D., who wish to perform their Ph.D. dissertation research within the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP). This grant aims to cultivate a new generation of clinician-scientists skilled in integrating biomedical research with clinical practice. MSPP Scholars receive in-depth research training in basic, translational, and clinical sciences, benefiting from mentorship, professional development, and career guidance within the NIH. Participants may enter through one of two academic tracks: Track 1, intended for early-stage students pre-admission to clinical school, and Track 2, for those already enrolled in a clinical program. Depending on the track, students receive three or four years of MSPP support, with doctoral research funded separately by the NIH IRP. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled or matriculated in a combined doctoral program, or in a clinical doctoral program with plans for Ph.D. study. The grant is not open to foreign institutions, although U.S. organizations with foreign components may participate. Applicants must submit through one of three platforms—NIH ASSIST, institutional system-to-system, or Grants.gov Workspace—and must adhere strictly to SF424 (R&R) Application Guide instructions. Required attachments include a background and goals statement, research experience, personal statement, and reference letters. Additional post-submission materials are required for activation and reactivation of awards. The application process is highly structured. For Track 1 applicants, NIAID serves as the initial applicant organization, while Track 2 applicants apply via their clinical degree schools. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations well in advance of deadlines to ensure all registration and submission requirements are fulfilled. The application includes critical elements such as eRA Commons and ORCID registration and must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant’s organization. Applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review process, focusing on academic and research accomplishments, career motivation, and potential for independent research. Reviewers assess submitted materials, including reference letters, and provide scores for each criterion and an overall impact score. Awardees receive support for tuition, stipends, and institutional allowances, matching NRSA F30 levels. However, detailed budgets are submitted only upon request. For further inquiries, applicants may contact the NIH MSPP support team or specific program and financial officers listed in the FOA. Key dates include submission deadlines on August 8 of each year through 2025, with reviews following in November and earliest possible award starts the subsequent July. The program aligns closely with NIH’s mission to foster biomedical discovery through well-supported, dual-degree researchers.

Begin institutional coordination and registration processes early. Ensure accurate and complete reference letter submissions via the correct platform. Carefully follow formatting and submission instructions to avoid rejection.