Office of Autoimmune Disease Research Intramural Award

The Office of Autoimmune Disease Research in the Office of Research on Women’s Health (OADR-ORWH) is seeking applications to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing research in autoimmune disease.

Establishment of OADR-ORWH was directed by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328), and it reflects the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s 2022 report titled Enhancing NIH Research on Autoimmune Diseases, which highlighted the need for greater coordination across NIH regarding autoimmune disease efforts. The mission of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR) is to support high priority autoimmune disease research, identify emerging areas of innovation, and foster collaboration across NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices.

The portfolio of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research encompasses more than 140 diseases and conditions and includes basic and translational science. We are seeking applications that focus on either autoimmune aspects of the specific disease(s) being studied, or autoimmunity pathogenesis in more general terms. This research may include studies investigating basic immunology, gene expression, in vivo and in vitro pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging, environmental exposures, biomarkers, sex influences, co-occurring autoimmune diseases, mechanistic pathways as therapeutic targets, animal models, systems biology, health outcomes research, symptom science, or translational research, as they relate to autoimmune disease and conditions.

The purpose of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research Intramural Awards for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows is to support training of a diverse pool of highly trained scientists in Autoimmune Disease Research. OADR will support stipend and health insurance up to a total of $80,000 per award. The IC will be expected to supplement costs above this level. Awards will be funded for one year, with an option to reapply for a subsequent year of funding based on competitive review of a renewal application (see the Renewal Applications section). All funded recipients will be expected to provide a short two-page progress report including any productivity metrics (e.g., training, publications, conference posters and presentations, invited talks, or similar honors) resulting from the award at the end of each year of funding. Signatures of PI Mentor and IC Scientific Director indicates agreement to reporting requirement.

Pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees appointed as IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in the NIH Intramural Research Program whose work overlaps with the priorities and portfolio of OADR will be eligible to be considered for these intramural trainee awards.

We are committed to diversity in the biomedical workforce. OADR welcomes applications from individuals in the following groups:

• from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research and healthcare fields
• with disabilities
• who are or were enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• who identify as LGBTQ+
• who have experienced circumstances that have negatively impacted educational opportunities (e.g., those who have returned from a career break for caregiving duties or other life circumstances).

The IOADR application is currently closed.

The cover page should be one single page and must include:

• Project title
• Applicant’s full name, title, and email address
• Sponsoring IC
• PI Mentor name, title, and email address
• Proposed start date
• Signatures of the PI Mentor and IC Scientific Director (or designee) indicating approval of the submission and agreement to reporting requirement
• Signature of the applicant

You can find a template cover letter page in our resources: OADR award documents

Applicants should use the Curriculum Vitae to demonstrate research productivity (e.g., publications, abstracts, poster and podium presentations, travel awards, and patents), as well as a proactive approach to developing scientific skills which will support their career goals.

Use these resources to follow the appropriate formatting guidelines:

• NIH OITE Guide to Cover Letters
• Resumes, Curriculum Vitae, & Cover Letters

Limit the CV to three pages.

A sound research plan consistent with the candidate’s level of research development and objectives of their career development plan should be included. The research should be feasible to complete within the one-year funding period and the description should include:

• Background and preliminary data
• Specific aims
• Scientific approach

All applications must include a plan for the applicant to receive training in the responsible conduct of research. If RCR training has been completed, a statement indicating such is sufficient.

Limit this document to 4 pages, single-spaced, including references. The minimum font size is 10.

Describe how the research is relevant to the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan and the mission of OADR and/or focus on autoimmune aspects of one of the diseases included in the OADR portfolio.

Limit this to half a page.

The Career Development Plan should be two pages, double spaced, and include:

• Career goal and stage of applicant
• Description of how applicant will utilize training and mentoring resources of IC, OITE and other groups to support their career development
• Discussion of relationship of planned research to long-range career goals
• Discussion of relationship of planned research to long-range career goals of IC, OITE and other groups to support their career development

The letter of support must be from your mentor. The mentor should include:

• Applicants career goals, and suitability for this award
• Confirmation that the mentor has the expertise to support the trainee on the proposed project
• Description of the research environment, facilities, and resources available to the applicant
• Demonstrate support to a variety of career paths as evidenced by former mentees career outcomes
• Demonstrate support to a variety of career paths as evidenced by former mentees career outcomes

Submit a single electronic package containing all documents via email to IOADR@nih.gov. Please use “IOADR 2024_Last Name, First Name, IC” as the SUBJECT line.

When reviewing applications, reviewers place equal emphasis on all materials submitted. Applications that are successful are those where applicants have a well thought-out, innovative, and feasible research plan that shows outstanding scientific potential. You, as an applicant, must demonstrate through the materials submitted commitment to science and careful consideration of the steps needed to advance your career. Equal emphasis is place on mentor’s history of mentorship and how he/she will contribute to the career and professional development of the applicant.

The number of fellowships awarded varies by year depending on the funding available.

A full application is required for renewal applications. The career development plan and CV should be updated along with the research plan and mentor’s letter. The research plan should briefly summarize any accomplishments or progress made during the prior award, and describe, in detail, the research that will be conducted during the second year of support. No more than two years of funding will be awarded to any individual. The two years of funding does not have to be continuous.