What are the responsibilities and job description for the NIH INCLUDE Project Fellowship—Research and Program Impact Analyses position at National Institutes of Health (NIH)?
This postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director (OD), Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). The INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project is an NIH-wide initiative managed by the Director's Office (DO) within DPCPSI. INCLUDE funds and coordinates research across NIH to advance basic science, cohort development, clinical trials, workforce training, and research infrastructure, with the goal of improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome across the lifespan.
What will I be doing?
The participant will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team supporting the INCLUDE Project to understand the impact of federal investments in Down syndrome (DS) research. This fellowship provides hands-on experience in INCLUDE’s effort to synthesize and catalyze multidisciplinary DS research. Activities during the fellowship include:
- Analyzing the outputs, outcomes, and impact of INCLUDE-funded research to define the Project’s achievements and contributions to the DS community.
- Conducting bibliometric and portfolio analyses using NIH databases and advanced tools.
- Identifying and presenting research and workforce trends, gaps, and emerging areas to inform Project planning.
- Preparing materials summarizing data and programs for both internal and external audiences.
- Developing an understanding of how to translate community needs into impactful public health research.
- Observing in federal and scientific meetings and participating with groups on DS research.
Why should I apply?
As a participant in a STEM research participation program, you will learn about different NIH support mechanisms and different collaborative research programs involving NIH, how to use various NIH databases and modalities for data analysis, how to identify metrics and key indicators needed to evaluate any program, how to measure success of different types of collaborative research programs, and how to make recommendations for future programs based on the available data, under the guidance of a mentor.
Where will I be located?
Fellows are expected to be fully engaged, either in-person, hybrid, or remote. In-person or hybrid location is Bethesda, MD.
What financial provisions will I receive?
The selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend to help offset living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by NIH officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. In addition, NIH may provide a health insurance supplement to cover the monthly premium costs if you elect the ORAU/ORISE health insurance plan, as necessary.
What is the length of the appointment?
The appointment will initially be for one year, renewable annually up to 4 additional years upon recommendation of NIH and is contingent on the availability of funds.
When are selections made?
An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.
What is the Nature of the Appointment?
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants do not become employees of NIH, DOE, ORISE, nor ORAU, and there are no employment-related benefits.
Salary : $88,000