The NIH Department of Bioethics welcomes applications for fully funded two-year post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral research fellowships. Fellows are central to the activities and intellectual life of our interdisciplinary department, including weekly bioethics seminars, case conferences, ethics consultations, IRB deliberations, and other educational opportunities at NIH. They study ethical issues related to biomedical research, clinical practice, genetics, biotechnology, public health, health policy, population health and disparities, global health and other important issues in bioethics. They also conduct mentored conceptual and empirical research. For a typical fellow, this research yields multiple first-authored publications in academic journals. We do not require or expect bioethics experience and encourage anyone with a strong interest to apply.
Fellowships begin in September 2025. Stipends are determined by NIH Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) guidelines.
Our post-baccalaureate fellowships are ideal for students interested in eventually pursuing an MD, JD, PhD, or other graduate degree. Applicants for the post-baccalaureate fellowship must have an undergraduate degree completed no more than 3 years prior to the start date of the fellowship or a master’s degree completed no more than 6 months prior. Only U.S. citizens or U.S. Legal Permanent Residents are eligible for post-baccalaureate fellowships.
Applicants for the post-doctoral fellowship must have completed a doctoral degree no more than 5 years prior to the start date of the fellowship. Post-doctoral applications are welcome from philosophy, law, medicine, social sciences, and other disciplines. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible for post-doctoral fellowships.
We encourage applications from candidates with a range of disciplinary backgrounds and substantive interests. Though not an exhaustive list, this year we are particularly interested in candidates who would be excited to work on research projects related to ethics of neurotechnologies, public health ethics, research ethics, genetics, ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide, population-level bioethics, health disparities, reproductive ethics, emerging technologies, and global health ethics. For more information about the department’s research interests, please see our website (https://www.bioethics.nih.gov/people).
Applications should include:
Statement of interest up to 1000 words which explains your interest in bioethics, how the fellowship fits into your career goals (including how it would be valuable to you) and what potential bioethics topics you would like to investigate. While previous bioethics experience is not required, please explain why bioethics is of interest to you. For applicants with previous bioethics experience or training, explain how this fellowship would build on your previous efforts. You may also discuss any aspects of your background or experience that would bring a unique perspective or contribute to diversity in the department or the field of bioethics. We are dedicated to building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community in our department.
One or two writing samples that total no more than 30 double-spaced pages and which demonstrate your analytical or critical thinking ability. They need not be on a bioethics topic, and there is no preference for published work. Most successful applicants submit samples that defend a position or analyze an argument. Single-authored writing samples are preferred. If a co-authored sample is submitted, the applicant should describe their role in writing the paper. If applicable, please explain how AI tools were used in producing a writing sample.
The NIH Department of Bioethics is a center for research, training, and service related to bioethical issues. The Department conducts conceptual, empirical, and policy-related research into bioethical issues; offers comprehensive training to future bioethicists and educational programs for biomedical researchers and clinical providers; and provides high quality ethics consultation services to clinicians, patients, and families of the NIH's Clinical Center and advice to the NIH IRBs, investigators, and others on the ethical conduct of research.