FF Series — Individual Fellowships
NIH F33 Grants — Senior Fellowship
Mid-career retraining for established investigators
Funding
Stipend + research allowance
Duration
Up to 2 years
Eligibility
Established investigators changing fields
Activity code
F33
What is the NIH F33 grant?
The F33 supports established investigators (typically 7+ years past PhD) who want extended time to learn new techniques or transition into a new research area. Use is rare compared to F31/F32.
Who applies for F33
Senior investigators changing research direction.
When to choose F33
Choose F33 when you need protected retraining time outside your established research base.
When NOT to choose F33
Mid-career retraining is more commonly handled through K18 or sabbatical mechanisms.
Search tips for F33
- F33 awards are rare — useful indicators of unusual mid-career pivots.