NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)
An NIH fellowship supporting postdoctoral research training under an established sponsor.
Official program page- Sponsor
- National Institutes of Health
- Mechanism
- F32
- Typical award
- Support for up to 3 years (postdoctoral), at NRSA stipend levels set by years of relevant experience.
- Deadlines
- Three standard cycles a year: generally Apr 8, Aug 8, and Dec 8.
What it funds
- A postdoctoral stipend
- A tuition/fees allowance where applicable
- An institutional allowance for training costs
Who can apply
Postdoctoral researchers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a sponsor and an individualized training plan.
Best for
A postdoc building an independent research record with a strong mentor and 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 | $63,480 per year with 0 years of postdoctoral experience, rising to $77,076 with 7 or more years |
| Tuition and fees | 60% of actual tuition, up to $4,500 per year ($16,000 for formal degree-granting programs) |
| Institutional allowance | $12,400 at non-federal public, private, and nonprofit institutions; $11,300 at federal and for-profit institutions |
Levels apply to NRSA awards made on or after October 1, 2025.
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 |
Payback obligation
The first 12 months of postdoctoral NRSA support carry a payback obligation. Fellows usually satisfy it by serving a second year of support or by continuing in qualifying research or teaching afterward.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the F32 stipend in 2026?
From $63,480 per year with no postdoctoral experience to $77,076 with seven or more years, for awards made on or after October 1, 2025.
When are F32 deadlines?
April 8, August 8, and December 8, by 5:00 PM local time.
How long is F32 support?
Up to three years of postdoctoral NRSA support, counting any prior postdoctoral NRSA support.
Related programs
All NIH opportunitiesAn NIH fellowship that supports promising PhD students through their dissertation research and training.
A two-phase award that carries a promising postdoc through the last of mentored training and into their first independent faculty position.
A shorter NIH grant for exploratory, high-risk/high-reward work that doesn't yet have extensive preliminary data.
Managing a NIH F32 proposal?
GrantsManager tracks the deadline, budget, and submission from first draft to award.