Click on Apply below to start your application.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), have teamed up to provide a fellowship opportunity that will enable clinicians from India and the United States of America (USA) to conduct research in areas of infectious diseases and immunology at an exchange laboratory and other approved facilities. 

This fellowship is available to clinicians from India interested in a hands-on research experience at the NIH or other NIH-approved facilities in the USA.   

Fellowships for clinicians from the USA who are interested in a hands-on research experience in India are also available.  USA clinicians may apply at: https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ICMR-NIAID-BMGF-2021-0001.

For further information about ICMR, NIAID, and BMGR, click the links below:

• ICMR - https://www.icmr.gov.in/
• NIAID - https://www.niaid.nih.gov/
• BMGF - https://gatesfoundation.org/

What is the objective of the program?

The objective of the ICMR/NIAID/BMGF Clinical Research Fellowship Exchange Program is to build a collaborative research and training program between India and the USA in an effort to foster the development of researchers in both countries and to advance research that will improve clinical practice and benefit public health in both countries.  The focus of this fellowship program is to engage scientists in infectious diseases and immunology research, and to encourage the development of female early-career clinical scientists in India and the USA.

Why should I apply?

As a participant on this exchange program, you will have the opportunity to conduct research at one of the top USA's medical research agencies, NIH/NIAID, and will gain a competitive edge in your research career.    

During the appointment, you will have an opportunity to:

• Enhance your education and training in infectious diseases and immunology research.
• Gain access to cutting-edge research.
• Receive guidance from mentors who will support your research career.

Where will I be located and for how long?

As a participant coming from India, you will stay up to 3 months in the USA to conduct research at the NIH/NIAID facility in Bethesda, Maryland, or other NIH-approved facilities in the USA.

ICMR will require you to return to your home institution and work for at least one year after the completion of this fellowship.

For further information about ICMR, please click: https://www.icmr.gov.in/. 

Participant Benefits

During the duration of the fellowship, you will receive:

• Support in the form of a stipend for living ($3,000 per month up to 3 months), and other expenses as determined by the program sponsors.
• Health insurance expenses, as applicable.
• Roundtrip airfare. (For further information about ICMR, please click: https://www.icmr.gov.in/).

Nature of Appointment

As a participant, you will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency.  Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.  

You will also be contacted by ICMR with additional information from them.  

Program Administration

The program is administered for the NIH/NIAID by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) for the US Department of Energy.

This Fellowship is open to applicants from India who are clinicians in their early to mid-career, with an established interest in conducting research.

To qualify for this opportunity you must:

• Be an Indian citizen.
• Have completed a Postgraduate (post-MBBS) medical training program, such as an M.D. or M.S., with or without a Ph.D., within the last 15 years.
• Be available to relocate and conduct research at an NIH-approved facility for up to three months and agree to a one-year appointment at the home institution in India after the exchange. Upon selection, the participant shall make an agreement with the home institution to work for at least one year upon return.
• Have documented support from the home institution.  The participant will be required to obtain a letter of support from the India home institution. 
• Meet clearance requirements to access NIH-assigned facility. Appointments are contingent on receipt of the necessary clearance to access the assigned facility.  While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with NIH, this opportunity requires a pre-employment background check.
• Be eligible to obtain a J-1 Short-Term Scholars visa status. 

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect profile.
• Application questions.
• Current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• Proof of completion of a post-graduate (post-MBBS) medical training program, such as M.D./M.S. with or without a Ph.D. degree.  Proof may include one of the following:
  • Copy of the diploma issued by the University including official university markings, and the degree awarded and the award date.
  • Copy of the official transcript issued by the Registrar’s Office including official university markings such as the registrar’s signature, university logo or stamp, letterhead or watermark, etc. Transcripts must include degree awarded and graduation date.
• Two (2) relevant recommendations from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation form in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted.  Recommendation deadline is June 1, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone. 
• Statement of interest and experience.

A subsequent selection process stage may include telephone interviews with the mentor and additional questions provided by ICMR.

To be considered, your application, supporting materials, and two recommendations must be completed and received via Zintellect by June 1, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone.  

Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to NIHprograms@orau.org.  Please list the reference code of this opportunity (ICMR-NIAID-BMGF-2021-0000) in the subject line of the email.

NOTE: When completing the degree section of the application, the system does not have the option to choose M.D. Please choose your most recent degree prior to the M.D. and answer the affirmation statement at the end.

• Degree: Any degree .
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (27 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

I affirm I am a citizen of India.

AND

I have completed a postgraduate (post-MBBS) medical training program, such as an M.D. or M.S., with or without a Ph.D., within the last 15 years.