Career & Training Opportunities



International Mentoring Opportunities in Federal Technology Transfer

The NIH Office of Technology Transfer has mentoring opportunities available to scientists, managers and other qualified personnel with background in the fields of law, business, or life sciences. The goal of this program is to enable candidates to combine their legal, business, or life science background with training and experience in the technology transfer field.

The Office of Technology Transfer is responsible for patenting, licensing, and marketing technologies resulting from basic research done at NIH and the FDA. Private companies license these inventions and commercialize them to benefit global public health. Mentees will work with OTT staff in the areas of patenting, licensing, marketing, international technology transfer, and technology transfer policy; other federal agencies; and outside industrial or academic collaborators in pursuit of these goals.

Duties & Responsibilities

Mentees will receive hands-on specialized mentoring in and assigned tasks related to:

• Intellectual Property Basics
• International Tech Transfer & Global Health Issues
• Introduction to Licensing and Exposure to Negotiation Practices
• Marketing of Technology
• Technology Assessment
• Monitoring of Technology Development
• Technology Transfer Policy
• Introduction to Cooperative Research Agreements
• Introduction to Public Private Partnerships (basic & clinical research)

Who May Apply

• Candidates must have received at least a Bachelors degree in Science, Business or any relevant field. Experience or additional studies in law, business, or life science will be an asset.
• Candidates must be working in an institution in a developing country (i.e. research organization, health or science & technology institution, university, etc)
• Candidates must have a valid visa, if applicable.
• Ability to commit to a four to six week training at NIH between the months of February-May or September-November.

Special Notes:


• Mentees are not employees of the Federal Government.
• Mentoring opportunities are unpaid.
• Proof of health insurance is required.
• Sponsoring institution will be responsible for mentees travel & living expenses including incidentals.

How To Apply

• Submit a resume or CV,
• A statement of interest explaining why you are interested in a mentoring opportunity at the NIH Office of Technology Transfer, and
• A statement of financial support from your institution.
• NIH-590 Internship Approval Form
- Please be sure to indicate when you would be available to start
- How long you wish to stay

Contact Information

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Office of Technology Transfer
Attn: Steven M. Ferguson, CLP
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325 (MSC 7660)
Rockville, MD 20852-3804

Phone: 301-435-5561
Fax: 301-402-0220 -- Attn: Steve Ferguson
Email: sf8h@nih.gov


*Applications are accepted throughout the year subject to space.