NIH F31 Grants — Individual Predoctoral Fellowship
PhD predoctoral research training
Funding
NRSA stipend + tuition + research allowance
Duration
Up to 5 years
Eligibility
PhD students in biomedical research
Activity code
F31
What is the NIH F31 grant?
The F31 is the NIH individual predoctoral fellowship — funding for PhD students doing biomedical research, awarded directly to the trainee through the host institution. F31 funding covers stipend, tuition, and a research allowance for up to 5 years (most awards run 2–4 years from the fellowship start date).
Recent F31 awards (last 24 months)
Live data from NIH RePORTER2,558
Awards
$21,095,930
Total funding (sample)
$42,192
Average award
Sample reflects up to the most recent 500 NIH RePORTER awards with this activity code in the past 24 months. Total project count is the full RePORTER count.
Most recently awarded F31 grants
Phylicia Allen · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY, GA · NIH
$42,545
FY 2026
Project: 5F31GM157952-02
Samuel Bates · BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, MA · NIH
$15,832
FY 2026
Project: 5F31NS137615-03
Amber Abbott · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PA · NIH
$38,052
FY 2026
Project: 5F31AI181460-03
Kathryn Buscher · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR, MI · NIH
$44,158
FY 2026
Project: 1F31DK142349-01A1
Amanda Baildon · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN, NE · NIH
$28,143
FY 2026
Project: 5F31AA031626-02
Bradley Class · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER, MA · NIH
$35,030
FY 2026
Project: 5F31NS143369-02
Rebecca Cole · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH, PA · NIH
$50,114
FY 2026
Project: 5F31DA062489-02
Autumn Ashley · HENRY FORD HEALTH + MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES, MI · NIH
$45,488
FY 2026
Project: 1F31AT013682-01
Top NIH institutes funding F31
By total funding in the last 24 months
- 1.NIH500 · $21,095,930
Top funded institutions
Most F31 awards in the last 24 months
- 1.UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA21 awards
- 2.EMORY UNIVERSITY18 awards
- 3.JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY18 awards
- 4.UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR18 awards
- 5.VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY16 awards
- 6.HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL16 awards
Who applies for F31
When to choose F31
When NOT to choose F31
Search tips for F31
- F31 success rates vary by IC and FOA. Diversity F31s often have higher rates than parent F31.
- F31 awards in PI Finder identify well-trained PhD candidates entering the postdoc market.
Search NIH grants by activity code
Find F31-funded PIs
F31 funding trends
F31 frequently asked questions
What is the page limit for an F31 Research Strategy?
The F31 Research Strategy section is 6 pages. The Specific Aims is 1 page, and the Training Plan, Sponsor Support, and other sections have separate page limits.
What is the F31's stipend?
F31 stipends are set by the NRSA stipend table (uniform across NIH) and are updated annually. The current predoctoral stipend is in the $30,000s range; check the NRSA stipend table for the current year.
Can international PhD students apply for an F31?
No. F31 applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. International students typically apply through institutional T32 grants instead.
Related NIH grant types
Individual Predoctoral MD/PhD Fellowship
Combined MD/PhD or other dual-degree predoctoral training
Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship
Postdoctoral mentored research training
Pathway to Independence Award
Postdoc → faculty transition (mentored K99 then independent R00)
Institutional Research Training Grant
Institution-administered predoc/postdoc training program