F32 Boot Camp

The F32 Boot Camp is a ‘class’ designed to walk you through all sections of an F32 grant submission.

As described by NIH, the purpose of the F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award is to ‘…support promising applicants during their mentored postdoctoral training under the guidance of outstanding faculty sponsors. The integrated program of research and training should enhance the individual’s potential to develop into a productive, independent researcher.’

But what does it mean to be a ‘promising’ candidate? What are the characteristics of an ‘outstanding’ faculty sponsors? And how do you train to be an ‘independent’ researcher? These questions and more are answered below:

• Timeline for the December 8, 2020 grant submission
• Where to find the active F32 funding announcements
• Important Information in the Funding announcement (participating centers, contacts, dates)
• The Purpose of the F32 Mechanism
• F32 Documents to work on first
• Sponsors, mentors and advisors
• Letters of Reference
• Register for eRA Commons

F32 Bootcamp Introduction – Recorded 13Jan2021

Components of the F32

• Biosketch (PDF in Box)
  • Introduction
  • A) Personal Statement
  • B) Positions and Honors
  • C) Contribution to Science
  • D) Additional Information: Research Support and/or Scholastic Performance
  • Summary Comments and Resources
• Specific Aims Page (PDF in Box)
  • Introduction
  • Structure and Content
  • Tips and Common Mistakes
• Research Strategy
  • Significance
  • Approach
• Narrative, Summary and Cover Letter
• The Fellowship Applicant section (PDF in Box)
  • Introduction
  • A) Doctoral Dissertation and Research Experience
  • B) Training Goals and Objectives
  • C) Activities Planned Under this Award
• The Sponsor/Co-Sponsor Section
  • Introduction
  • A) Research Support Available
  • B) Sponsor’s/Co-Sponsor’s Previous Fellows/Trainees
  • C) Training Plan, Environment, Research Facilities
  • D) Number of Fellows/Trainees to be Supervised During the Fellowship
  • E) Applicant’s Qualifications and Potential for a Research Career
• Responsible Conduct of Research