January 19, 2005

NOTE TO: Elias Zerhouni

FROM: Michael Gottesman

SUBJECT: Request for Approval of a Proposal to Extend Postdoctoral IRTAs for a Terminal 6th Year

The Scientific Directors have recommended the attached proposal to allow an exceptional terminal 6th year for selected postdoctoral Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) recipients.

This proposal would:

• allow continued training beyond the normal 5 year limit for a final 6th year, after which the fellow would leave the NIH
• be limited to select high-quality fellows based on well-articulated career plans [NOTE: These training plans are also required for fellows entering their 4th year, so that an additional extension is less likely to be needed.]

I am aware that this new policy appears to extend postdoctoral training at a time when we all agree that postdoctoral training is too long. However, these fellows would otherwise have been offered Research Fellow appointments (which require FTEs) and therefore this represents a change in appointment mechanism, not an extension of total time at NIH. Furthermore, after one year of piloting this policy, it has been used rarely (17 times out of a total of approximately 800 IRTAs and CRTAs).

//s//

Michael M. Gottesman, M.D.
Deputy Director for Intramural Research

Approved: ______x______ Disapproved: ____________ Dated February 9, 2005

Signed: ________//s//__, Elias Zerhouni, M.D., Director, NIH

Although it is the policy of NIH to limit the post-doctoral training period so as to not unnecessarily extend training and delay employment, occasionally a sixth year is needed by an IRTA/VF* fellow to complete training in progress and to complete application for jobs outside of the NIH. Until further notice, exceptional extensions allowing a sixth year as a postdoctoral IRTA fellow can be granted by the Scientific Director (and not further delegated; for VF, G7 Peer Review Committee approval is required) under the following circumstances:

1. This exceptional extension is limited to select high-quality fellows based on well-articulated career plans [NOTE: These training plans are also required for fellows entering their 4th year, so that an additional extension is less likely to be needed.]

2. The fellow is not being considered for a position at NIH and understands that the sixth IRTA/VF* year is a terminal extension. For instances in which application for a tenure-track position or staff scientist position is being considered, a research fellow appointment is the appropriate mechanism. [Note added on 1/20/2010 - Once an IRTA/VF* has been at the NIH for a sixth year, s/he may not remain in the Intramural Research Program in any capacity (although an IRTA fellow can move to a job in an extramural office at the NIH) and may only return after a two-year period has elapsed.]

3. The supervisor and fellow must prepare a "Career Development Plan" which describes how the sixth year will be used to complete work in progress and to arrange for subsequent employment for the fellow, and this must be approved by the Scientific Director.

4. The fellow must show appropriate promise for a scientific career, including evidence of publications, or publications in preparation, and/or substantial evidence for preparation for a career in a science-related field. The sixth year extension for additional training is not intended as a means to provide stipend-support to someone who will subsequently choose a non-science career direction.

In addition, the "Career Development Plan" is now also required for IRTAs/VFs* before the end of their 4th year to reduce the need for 6th year extensions.

*Visiting Fellows (VF) qualify only if their visa allows. J1 visa extensions beyond 5 years is subject to review and approval by the G7 Peer Review Committee at OIR by filing a complete G7 package with DIS at least 6 months in advance.