NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (Admin Supp) | PA 17 328

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 328

The NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (PA-17-328) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant opportunity designed to keep physician-scientists with MD/PhD training actively engaged in research while they are completing demanding clinical training. The core idea is to prevent the common drop-off in research momentum that can happen during residency and clinical fellowship by providing protected time and structured research support. NIMH is aiming this supplement at exceptional MD/PhD holders who are still early in their research careers and need a bridge from primarily clinical training back into a more research-intensive career stage, with the goal of helping them transition more efficiently and with fewer gaps in productivity.

This is an administrative supplement, which means it is not a brand-new standalone research award. Instead, it adds support onto an already-funded NIH/NIMH parent grant, and the work proposed under the supplement must stay within the scientific scope of that existing project. In practical terms, the supplement is meant to carve out focused research time during residency and/or fellowship so that the MD/PhD candidate can continue building expertise, generating data, publishing, and developing a coherent research trajectory rather than having their research experience paused for several years. NIMH emphasizes that the proposed research experience should be meaningful and career-relevant, with clear potential to substantially strengthen the candidate's long-term development as an independent researcher.

Because supplements must align with the parent award, applicants typically need to frame the trainee's research activities as a natural extension of the funded project, showing how the candidate will contribute to and benefit from the ongoing research while also gaining advanced training and experience. The intent is not simply to provide salary relief, but to support a well-structured research plan and mentorship environment that maintains continuity, builds skills, and positions the candidate for the "next stage" after clinical training, such as applying for career development support or moving into a faculty or research-track position.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and reflects common NIH institutional eligibility. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, and public housing/Indian housing authorities, as well as a wide range of higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private). The opportunity is also open to federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The notice also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity draws clear lines around non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, described as foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This distinction generally means the applicant and primary institutional base must be U.S.-eligible, but certain well-justified elements of the research may involve foreign collaboration or performance sites if they meet NIH rules for foreign components.

NIMH strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact the institute before submitting a request, using the agency contacts listed in the funding announcement. That pre-submission conversation is important for confirming fit with NIMH priorities, ensuring the supplement is properly positioned within the scope of the parent award, and clarifying expectations for the candidate's protected time and research plan during clinical training. The source information indicates an original closing date of January 23, 2018, and lists the activity as health-related under CFDA 93.242. While the summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the main takeaway is that this mechanism is intended as a targeted, scope-aligned boost to an existing NIMH-funded project to keep MD/PhD clinician-scientists continuously involved in research during residency and fellowship, strengthening their trajectory toward independent, research-focused careers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (Admin Supp)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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