NIDA–Inserm Postdoctoral Drug Abuse Research Fellowships for U.S. and French Scientists

Application Deadline: October 15

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) have established a binational postdoctoral research exchange fellowship program. In fiscal year 2014, NIDA will support up to two fellowships for French scientists to work in the United States with a current NIDA grantee, and Inserm will support up to two awards for U.S. scientists to work in France with a mentor at an Inserm research unit or center.

What Does the Fellowship Include?

The 6- to 12-month fellowship may be renewed once and provides rigorous postdoctoral research training in the United States (for French applicants) or France (for U.S. applicants).

• French scientists spending their fellowship in the United States will receive an annual stipend of $39,000USD for living and personal expenses and a $6,000USD stipend to cover the cost of personal health insurance and professional development activities. NIDA will provide one round-trip, economy class airfare for the fellow only.
• U.S. scientists spending their fellowship in France will be employed by Inserm under a temporary contract providing an annual salary between 34,200€ and 45,600€ (depending upon the number of years of postdoctoral experience), including personal health insurance. Inserm will provide one round-trip, economy class airfare for the fellow only.

What Are the Requirements for Applicants?

French applicants must:

• Hold an earned doctoral degree in medicine or biomedical sciences.
• Have completed a minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral research demonstrating the ability to engage in independent research.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of France.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of France.
• Be eligible for a J-1 visa to enter the United States.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.

U.S. applicants must:

• Hold an earned doctoral degree in medicine or biomedical sciences.
• Have completed a minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral research demonstrating the ability to engage in independent research.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• Live and work in the United States at the time the application is submitted.
• Be eligible for a temporary-stay visa to work in France.
• Preference will be given to applicants who are proficient in written and spoken French.

What Are the Requirements for Mentors?

Fellows must conduct their research with an eligible mentor at an eligible institution.

French mentors must:

• Be among those suggested to the U.S. applicant by the Inserm Thematic Institute on Neurosciences, Cognitive Sciences, Neurology and Psychiatry.
• Be conducting research in computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, epigenetics, neurobiology, or clinical trials in drug abuse and addiction.

U.S. mentors must:

• Be a current NIDA grantee conducting research in computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, or epigenetics whose grant will be active throughout the proposed fellowship period.
• Work at an institution that sponsors the U.S. Department of State “J” Exchange Visitor Program and can prepare and issue the requisite Form DS-2019 for the NIDA–Inserm applicant and his/her dependents.

How Should I Apply?

The NIDA–Inserm Drug Abuse Research Fellowship application requires careful and thorough coordination between the applicant and mentor, but there are different application procedures for U.S. and French applicants.

French applicants wishing to conduct research in the United States must:

• Contact an eligible researcher who is willing to serve as a mentor. Mentors in the United States must be a current NIDA grantee conducting research in computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, or epigenetics whose grant will be active throughout the proposed fellowship period.
• Notify the NIDA International Program of your plans to apply.
• Write a three- to five-page research plan for working with the mentor to investigate computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, or epigenetics in drug abuse and addiction.
• Have the mentor complete his or her section of the application.
• Have the mentor complete and submit the application to the NIDA International Program.

U.S. applicants wishing to conduct research in France must:

• Notify the NIDA International Program of your plans to apply.
• Submit a CV and cover letter to the Inserm Thematic Institute on Neurosciences, Cognitive Sciences, Neurology and Psychiatry, which will then suggest a few researchers who would be eligible to serve as potential mentors.
• Contact one of the suggested researchers to see if he or she is willing to serve as a mentor.
• Write a three- to five-page research plan for working with the mentor to investigate computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, statistics, genetics, epigenetics, neurobiology, or clinical trials in drug abuse and addiction.
• Have the mentor complete his or her section of the application.
• Have the mentor complete and submit the application to the Head of the Inserm Thematic Institute on Neurosciences, Cognitive Sciences, Neurology and Psychiatry.

What Materials Should I Use To Apply?

Instruction and application materials for the NIDA-Inserm Drug Abuse Research Fellowship can be downloaded from this website in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.

• NIDA–Inserm Drug Abuse Research Fellowship Instruction Packet
  • PDF Format [PDF - 130KB]
  • MS Word Format [DOC - 297KB]
• NIDA–Inserm Drug Abuse Research Fellowship Application Packet
  • PDF Format [PDF - 250KB]
  • MS Word Format [DOC - 526KB]

When Should I Apply?

Application Deadline: October 15

When Will I Be Notified That I Have or Have Not Been Selected?

Notification of Award: December 1

How Can I Get Help in Finding a Mentor?

Candidates must seek an eligible mentor from select NIDA grantees and French research units or centers. If you need additional assistance, email the NIDA International Program or the International Affairs Division of Inserm.