Program Description
Training a new generation of pediatrician-scientists
The PSDP provides a rigorous postdoctoral research environment pairing talented young pediatricians with eminent laboratories and career-long mentorship across the United States.
Overview
What is the PSDP?
The PSDP provides a training environment in which talented young pediatricians address central problems in child health with the most current scientific tools. These pediatric scientists — dedicated to basic, translational, and clinical research — ultimately translate advances into improved care for children.
The program is an intense postdoctoral experience spanning basic science, bioinformatics, epidemiology, population sciences, health services, computational medicine, and other relevant disciplines. Fellows conduct research in eminent laboratories across the United States, with up to 20% protected time for patient care available upon approval by the Program Director.
Program Design
Three years of protected training
The PSDP provides three years of training for pediatricians with an MD, DO, or MD/PhD who will devote themselves to academic careers with a strong research component. Candidates are nominated by the Chair of the department in which residency training is completed, with a co-sponsoring chair affirming funding for the first year and a research-time commitment throughout.
Clinical fellowship year
One year (or up to 18–24 months for subspecialties such as cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and neonatology) of clinical fellowship training leading to sub-board eligibility. Funded by the Fellow's sponsoring department.
PSDP Year 1 — Institution funded
The first year of PSDP research training is supported by the Fellow's sponsoring institution, which must provide at least 80% protected research time, salary at fellow rank, research supplies, and travel to the annual PSDP meeting.
PSDP Years 2–3 — PSDP funded
Two years of PSDP-supported research training, typically conducted in a laboratory outside the sponsoring department of pediatrics, in a field applicable to a pediatric subspecialty. These are the only years directly funded by the PSDP.
Faculty appointment
Third-year NICHD-funded Scholars are promoted to instructor, assistant professor, or equivalent rank at a salary of at least $86,000. Fellows may carry the award to a new institution if accepting an outside faculty position.
Fellow Support
Stipend by program year
Salary, fringe benefits, and research supply budgets are structured across the three years of PSDP training.
Year one
Funded by the sponsoring institution — not the PSDP.
Salary and fringe benefits commensurate with fellow rank, plus research supplies and travel to the annual PSDP meeting.
Institution must guarantee at least 80% protected research time.
Year two
Base salary funded by PSDP
+ 15% fringe benefits
+ $25,000 for research supplies and related travel
Year three
Base salary — institution appoints Scholar as instructor or assistant professor
+ 15% fringe benefits
+ $25,000 for research supplies and related travel
Ready to apply?
Submit your eligibility form once endorsed by your sponsoring institution. Both current and legacy NIH biosketch formats are accepted this cycle.
Submit eligibility form View application guidelines