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About OITE

The NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) is a division of the Office of Intramural Research (OIR), Office of the Director (OD). Our mission is to enhance the training experience of students and fellows on all of the NIH campuses. We work closely with the Training Offices in the NIH Institutes and Centers to help trainees in the Intramural Research Program (IRP;The intramural program is the sum of all the research projects carried out by NIH investigators and trainees in NIH facilities) develop scientific and professional skills that will enable them to become leaders in the biomedical research community.

We provide services to multiple groups:

  • Current trainees in programs in the NIH IRP
  • Potential applicants to training programs at the NIH
  • Investigators and staff at the NIH
  • Trainees and investigators outside the NIH (in the extramural community)

Services for Current NIH Trainees: The NIH IRP offers programs for high school and college students, recent college graduates, graduate students, professional students, and postdoctoral and clinical fellows.  The OITE provides career/professional development programming to help intramural trainees take maximal advantage of their time at NIH and progress successfully to the next step in their careers.

OITE programs complement the training activities of the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). In addition, OITE collaborates with the Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education to support clinical trainees.  We work closely with the NIH Fellows Committee and the Graduate Student Council to plan activities for fellows and graduate students and with the Postbaccalaureate Committee to develop programs for trainees who are recent college graduates. OITE training activities are supported by the IRP of each NIH Institute and Center and by the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, the NIH Office of AIDS Research, and the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES).

Recruitment of Trainees: An important element of the OITE mission is working with the NIH Institutes and Centers to recruit a diverse group of outstanding young scientists to training programs in the IRP.  To do this, OITE staff members attend scientific conferences, visit schools and universities, and organize programs like Community College Day at the NIH and the NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival.

NIH Investigators and Staff: OITE staff members welcome the opportunity to work with NIH investigators and staff to provide resources and information to enhance the educational experience of NIH trainees. We can assist with finding appropriate workshops, arranging individual career counseling for NIH trainees, and identifying other NIH resources to meet trainee needs.

Other OITE services for NIH investigators and staff include maintaining the online systems that allow them to recruit postdoctoral fellows and select trainees at all levels to join their labs/projects. We are also available to assist investigators with the paperwork required to bring a graduate student to the NIH.  Finally, the OITE has a comprehensive set of recruiting slides and handouts describing NIH training programs.  We are happy to share these with our NIH colleagues who may be asked to speak about the NIH.

The Extramural Community: The OITE is extending its services to the extramural community.  Many of our workshops, seminars, and career development resources are available to individuals outside the NIH as online materials or via videocasting. OITE staff travel to colleges, universities, and research institutions for career development workshops and to provide information on NIH training programs. We also host visitors from universities and research institutions around the world. Email us  to request materials describing NIH training programs, discuss OITE visits to your campus or arrange an NIH visit for your students .

OITE Services: We at the OITE encourage trainees to focus their efforts in three areas while at the NIH

  • Doing outstanding science
  • Attending to their career and professional development by taking advantage of both IC and OITE programs
  • Exploring and contributing to the community around them

The OITE offers comprehensive career/professional/personal development activities for trainees at all educational levels. NOTE: all OITE programs and services are provided free of charge to trainees in the NIH Intramural Research Program.

Hours and Location: OITE is housed on the second floor of Building 2. The office maintains an open-door policy and welcomes trainees to drop by anytime.  Most OITE staff members are available between the core hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.  However, some begin work as early as 7:30 am, and others work until 5:30 or 6:00 pm.  Sending an e-mail before heading over will ensure that the person you want to see is available.

OITE at Work Cover

OITE at Work

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