FF Series — Individual Fellowships

NIH F32 Grants — Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship

Postdoctoral mentored research training

Funding

NRSA postdoctoral stipend + research allowance

Duration

Up to 3 years

Eligibility

Recent PhDs (typically within 5 years)

Activity code

F32

What is the NIH F32 grant?

The F32 is the NIH individual postdoctoral fellowship — funding for recent PhDs doing mentored postdoctoral research. It pays an NRSA stipend (uniform across NIH) plus a research allowance for up to 3 years.

Recent F32 awards (last 24 months)

Live data from NIH RePORTER

923

Awards

$36,844,981

Total funding (sample)

$73,690

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 F32 grants

De novo design of photoacid-binding proteins to study proton dynamics in biological systems

Ian Bakanas · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA · NIH

$79,348

FY 2026

Project: 5F32GM154484-03

Mechanisms governing post-transcriptional regulation of neuronal microRNAs

Michelle Frank · WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RES, MA · NIH

$84,148

FY 2026

Project: 5F32MH134541-03

Project: 5F32DC022769-02

Microbiome Modulation of Visual System Development

David James · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, OR · NIH

$81,580

FY 2026

Project: 5F32EY035578-03

Project: 5F32DC022143-03

$82,048

FY 2026

Project: 5F32AI191525-02

$89,848

FY 2026

Project: 5F32MH135724-03

Developing a Biomimetic Lactating Mammary Lobe for Therapeutic Safety

Amy Lee · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MA · NIH

$81,580

FY 2026

Project: 5F32HD116425-02

Top NIH institutes funding F32

By total funding in the last 24 months

  1. 1.NIH500 · $36,844,981

Top funded institutions

Most F32 awards in the last 24 months

  1. 1.STANFORD UNIVERSITY28 awards
  2. 2.UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO28 awards
  3. 3.DUKE UNIVERSITY16 awards
  4. 4.UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO15 awards
  5. 5.UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR14 awards
  6. 6.UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA14 awards

Who applies for F32

Recent PhDs (typically within 5 years) doing biomedical research in a US lab. F32 applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

When to choose F32

Apply for F32 in your first year of postdoc once you have a well-defined research project. F32 is a strong CV signal for the faculty job market.

When NOT to choose F32

International postdocs are not eligible for F32 — see institutional T32s, K99 (citizenship eligibility varies), or institute-specific awards.

Search tips for F32

  • F32 awards identify well-trained postdocs heading toward the faculty market.
  • Many K99 applicants previously held F32 — these are sequential mechanisms.

Search NIH grants by activity code

Find F32-funded PIs

F32 funding trends

F32 frequently asked questions

What is the page limit for an F32 Research Strategy?

The F32 Research Strategy is 6 pages.

What is the F32 success rate?

F32 success rates typically range 25–35% depending on the institute, with higher rates than R01 reflecting trainee-focused review.

Related NIH grant types