NIH Building a Federated, AI-Aware Data Ecosystem

About the role

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS), invites recent Post-Master's and Postdoctoral researchers to apply to an immersive STEM learning fellowship designed to inspire scientific exploration and foster professional growth. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, and NIH-led research initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Explore NIH extramural and intramural mechanisms, ODSS-led data science initiatives, and models for collaborative research across NIH Institutes and Centers.
• Gain hands-on experience with NIH and ODSS data resources for discovery, harmonization, and analysis.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define criteria for success and impact in various collaborative and federated research programs.
• Receive training in science policy translation, learning how technical standards, governance frameworks, and privacy-preserving methods shape the design of NIH-wide data ecosystems.
• Engage with the broader scientific and stakeholder community to exchange ideas and insights.
• Attend workshops, seminars, and symposia on data science, artificial intelligence, and biomedical research, synthesizing lessons learned to inform ODSS strategies.

Requirements

The qualified candidate must be 18 years or older at the time of application and should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the last five years of the appointment start date. Current graduate students who are nearing degree completion may apply but must have completed their degrees by the start of the fellowship.

Qualifications

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

Skills

The fellowship emphasizes skill-building, scientific inquiry, and hands-on training in NIH-wide data ecosystem planning and implementation. Participants will gain valuable insights into NIH data ecosystems, refine their analytical and computational skills, and explore collaborative approaches to addressing complex biomedical research challenges.

Benefits

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.

Pay

The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed annually up to an additional four years upon recommendation of NIH and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Schedule

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.