NIH Fellowships for Predoctoral
and Postdoctoral Trainees

| Eligibility | What Fellowships Include | Requirements |
| Faculty Preceptors and Areas of Study | Application Process |
| Predoctoral Application | Postdoctoral Application |

The Nebraska Center for Virology focuses on the pathogenesis of viral diseases of humans, animals, and plants, including viral oncology. Our goal is to develop junior scientists and investigators who are well grounded in the fundamental knowledge of virology and laboratory research, preparing them for careers at universities and in industry to confront current and future viral infectious diseases. Our faculty preceptors are experienced researchers from the University of Nebraska. We provide prestigious training fellowships funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The primary objective of the NRSA program is to prepare individuals with exceptional academic credentials and potential, for careers that have a significant impact on the Nation’s biomedical research agenda. NCV offers positions for four predoctoral trainees and two postdoctoral candidates annually.

Eligibility
Only US citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

What Fellowships Include
Fellowships include a nationally competitive stipend established by NIH, predoctoral tuition, health insurance, and a travel allowance to attend and present at a relevant scientific meeting that may occur during the trainee’s period of appointment. Predoctoral fellowships provide funding for up to two years. Predoctoral appointments include a rotation through three labs the first semester and then provide concentrated training with one selected mentor for the remainder of the appointment. Postdoctoral NIH fellowship funding is provided for one year with funding provided in subsequent years through other sources at NCV.

Requirements
Predoctoral positions require admission to the graduate program of the UNL School of Biological Sciences. Postdoctoral positions carry a payback obligation of an equal period of health-related research, health-related research training, or health-related teaching for each month of award received up to 12 months.
[top]

Faculty Mentors and Areas of Study

• Dr. Howard Gendelman
  HIV neuropathogenesis

• Dr. Clinton Jones
  Herpesviruses latency

• Dr. T. Jack Morris
  Molecular biology of small RNA plant viruses

• Dr. Fernanado Osorio
  Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

• Dr. Asit Pattnaik
  RNA virus gene expression and virus assembly

• Dr. James Van Etten
  Chlorella viruses biology

• Dr. Charles Wood
  HIV and herpesvirus transmission, evolution, and disease pathogenesis

• Dr. Jialin Zheng
  Chemokines and HIV dementia

[top]

Application Process
To apply, prepare all application materials and submit as described below. Any communications or questions about the application process can be directed via email to cwood1@unl.edu or jwalker5@unl.edu with “NIH Training Application” in your subject line or by phone at (402) 472-4560.
[top]

Predoctoral NIH Training Application
DUE DATE: The due date for applying for our NIH predoctoral fellowship awards, corresponds to the “Deadline” for applications to the UNL School of Biological Sciences each semester. This information can be found on their website linked below.

1. The first step in applying for a predoctoral training award is to complete the UNL School of Biological Sciences (SBS) graduate school application process and apply for admission into that program: http://www.biosci.unl.edu/grad/

2. Prepare and submit a letter of interest addressed to Dr. Charles Wood, University of Nebraska, Nebraska Center for Virology, E249 Beadle, Lincoln, NE 68588-0666. Your letter should include the following:
   a) Notification that you have completed and submitted the SBS graduate school application as stated in step 1 above.
   b) An expression of your interest in our NIH predoctoral training program.
   c) Description of your experience in research and your interest in virology research.

3. Contact the SBS graduate coordinator and request that a copy of your complete graduate school application be forwarded to the Nebraska Center for Virology.

[top]

Postdoctoral NIH Training Application
DUE DATE: We conduct an ongoing review of applications for postdoctoral positions. Review continues until all positions are filled.

1. Prepare and submit an application document including:
   d) A two page single-spaced description of your research plan. You may use one additional page for references and figures.
   e) A statement describing the significance of your project as related to an area of virology.
   f) A statement indicating that you have met or will comply with the training program requirements and that all publications resulting from your appointment will acknowledge support by citing NIH with the following language: “This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health under Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award 1 T32 AIO60547 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.”

2. Submit a Biographical Sketch completed in NIH format. The form is available at http://www.grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/biosketch.pdf

3. Forward a copy of your graduate school transcript.

4. Contact the proposed faculty mentor and request and include a letter of support with your application. The letter should explain your qualifications, the significance of the proposed research, and the ability of the mentor to support your research program.

5. Submit three letters of support from referees that include a description of your qualifications.

[top]

[Return to NCV Home Page]