National Institutes of Health (NIH) / NCI
Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowships — F31 and F30
The NIH F31 supports PhD students at the dissertation stage; the F30 supports MD/PhD (and other dual-degree) students. The FY2025–26 predoctoral stipend is $29,364/yr, plus partial tuition/fees and an institutional allowance. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in a research doctoral program. Standard (non-AIDS) deadlines are April 8, August 8, and December 8. Undergraduates are NOT eligible.
Who Can Apply
Award Amount
$25
Deadline
April 8, A (2025)
Confirmed
Topics
NIH F31 & F30 Predoctoral Fellowships
These are the core NIH individual predoctoral fellowships (Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA). They are a central rung for a population-science PhD student — the NCI runs its own F31 track for cancer-relevant research (NCI F31).
F31 vs F30 — which applies to you
- F31 — for students in a single research doctoral program (PhD) who are at or near the dissertation research stage (Parent F31, PA-25-422).
- F30 — for students in a dual-degree program (MD/PhD, DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, DVM/PhD) who need support for both the research and clinical components. Dual-degree students are not eligible for the F31 because it does not support clinical training (NIH F31 activity code).
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Enrolled in a research doctoral degree program (F31) or a combined degree program (F30).
- For the F31, you must be a PhD candidate at the dissertation research stage by the time of award.
This is a predoctoral-only mechanism. Undergraduates and post-baccs are not eligible.
What it pays (FY2025–2026)
- Stipend: a single predoctoral level of $29,364/yr (~$2,447/mo), up from $28,296 the prior year — all predoctoral fellows receive the same level regardless of experience (FASEB on NRSA stipends).
- Tuition & fees: 60% of actual tuition up to $16,000/yr (predoc) or (F30 dual-degree).