NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship (F31)
An NIH fellowship that supports promising PhD students through their dissertation research and training.
Official program page- Sponsor
- National Institutes of Health
- Mechanism
- F31
- Typical award
- Support for up to 5 years (predoctoral), set by NRSA stipend levels that NIH updates periodically.
- Deadlines
- Three standard cycles a year: generally Apr 8, Aug 8, and Dec 8.
What it funds
- A stipend for the predoctoral fellow
- A tuition and fees allowance
- An institutional allowance for training-related costs
Who can apply
PhD or dual-degree students who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents, with a dissertation project and a sponsor (mentor) at an eligible institution.
Best for
A PhD student with a defined dissertation project and a strong training plan.
Figures and deadlines change year to year: always confirm current details on the official program page before applying.
FY2026 award amounts
| Component | FY2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Stipend | $29,364 per year ($2,447 per month) |
| Tuition and fees | 60% of actual tuition, up to $16,000 per year ($21,000 for formal dual-degree programs such as MD/PhD) |
| Institutional allowance | $4,750 at non-federal public, private, and nonprofit institutions; $3,650 at federal and for-profit institutions |
Levels apply to NRSA awards made on or after October 1, 2025. Fellowships do not pay F&A; the institutional allowance covers training-related costs.
Deadlines
Individual NRSA fellowships share three standard due dates a year for new, renewal, and resubmission applications, due by 5:00 PM local time. Reference letters are due by the same date.
| Application type | Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 | Cycle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New, renewal, and resubmission | April 8 | August 8 | December 8 |
What the application includes
- The applicant's background and goals for fellowship training.
- A research training plan built around the dissertation project.
- Sponsor and co-sponsor statements describing mentoring and resources.
- Reference letters, submitted by the same due date.
- A description of the institutional environment and commitment to training.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the NIH F31 stipend in 2026?
$29,364 per year for awards made on or after October 1, 2025, plus a tuition and fees allowance and an institutional allowance.
When are F31 deadlines?
April 8, August 8, and December 8 for new, renewal, and resubmission applications, by 5:00 PM local time.
Who is eligible for an F31?
PhD and dual-degree students who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents, with a dissertation project and a sponsor.
How long does F31 support last?
Up to five years of predoctoral support, or six for dual-degree students, counting all prior NRSA support.
Related programs
All NIH opportunitiesAn NIH fellowship supporting postdoctoral research training under an established sponsor.
A small, short-term NIH grant for discrete, well-defined projects that can be completed with limited resources.
A two-phase award that carries a promising postdoc through the last of mentored training and into their first independent faculty position.
Managing a NIH F31 proposal?
GrantsManager tracks the deadline, budget, and submission from first draft to award.