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Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

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Training and Educational Opportunities for Physicians and Medical Students

The Office of Fellowship Training in the Intramural Research Program works with individuals who are interested in the research conducted in the labs of the National Institute of Mental Health. Listed below are different categories of fellowships or training programs, according to level of experience. A few programs are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only, while others are open to foreign scientists. Please read the descriptions carefully to find the category that fits your level of experience.

Clinical Electives Program

About the program

Clinical Electives Program (CEP) provides medical students with first-hand experience in the conduct of clinical research after completion of their core clinical rotations. Four to eight week elective rotations are offered in: Adult Psychopharmacology (Course coordinator: Carlos Zarate, M.D.), Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Course coordinator: Haniya Raza, D.O.), and Psychosomatic Medicine (Course coordinator: Maryland Pao, MD).

Other elective options are possible on request. Participants are assigned a senior staff member who serves as a preceptor. In conjunction with the student, the preceptor develops and oversees an individually-based tutorial program. Students perform psychiatric evaluations on assigned patients and participate in regular clinical research unit meetings, rounds and seminars.

Application information

  • Application deadline: Although applicants are considered on a continuous basis, it is recommended that application materials be received four months prior to the start dates of the preferred session. The fall, winter and spring sessions usually commence the first week of September, January and March, respectively.
  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be enrolled in a medical school fully accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges, and have completed their initial rotation/clerkship in psychiatry prior to arriving at NIH.
  • Additional information is available on the NIH Clinical Electives Program page or by contacting Debbie Snyder, M.S.W.

Apply online 

Clinical Fellowship and PGY4 Psychiatry Residency Program overview

The clinical fellowship and PGY4 Psychiatry Residency Program are allied programs designed to attract and train physician-scientists for successful research careers in clinical neuroscience.

The offerings of two programs that include full-time research training at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. Both programs emphasize training in clinical, translational, and basic research related to the neurobiology of mental illnesses. They offer mentorship, participation in specialty research groups, and focus on areas such as psychopharmacology, neurodevelopment, and brain imaging techniques.

Current Fellows

NIMH is committed to training the next generation of clinician scientists. Learn more about our current Fellows

Clinical Fellowship Program

About the program

The NIMH Clinical Fellowship Program provides post-residency training in clinical neuroscience research for highly motivated and qualified DOs, MDs and MD-PhDs. The Clinical Fellowship Program is designed to attract and inspire future academic psychiatrists and train them for successful research careers in the clinical neurosciences.

The 3-year training program is mentorship driven and focuses on the acquisition and refinement of research skills including the evaluation and clinical care of research subjects, development of research protocols, performance of clinical and/or laboratory research, and preparation and presentation of study results. Skills are developed through didactic course work and interaction with experienced research mentors. Clinical fellows join specialty research groups that study the mechanisms or treatments of major psychiatric illnesses in adults and children.

Application information

  • Program Director: Lisa Catapano, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Length of fellowship: 3 years
  • Start date: July 1
  • Application deadline: January 15
  • Application requirements: CV, Personal statement, three letters of recommendation including one from host Program Director
  • P.I. information
  • Eligibility: Successful candidates have a strong background in research and a commitment to an academic career path.
  • Additional information can be requested by contacting Lisa Catapano, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director, NIMH Clinical Fellowship Program.

Apply online 

PGY4 Psychiatry Residency Program

About the program

The NIMH PGY4 psychiatry residency program offers research training in clinical neuroscience and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The PGY4 resident who seeks admission to this program must have completed all ACGME psychiatry clinical rotation requirements prior to beginning the program.

There is a formal application process that includes submission of a written application and letters of recommendation, followed by invitations to interview with potential research mentors and NIMH training staff.

If accepted, the PGY4 resident transfers to the NIMH residency program and completes residency after one full year. Residents generally transition immediately to the NIMH clinical fellowship program (see above) after completion of their PGY4 year at NIMH and remain for an additional 2 years of training.

Application information

  • Program Director: Lisa Catapano, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Length of fellowship: One year followed by 2 years in the Clinical Fellowship program
  • Start date: July 1
  • Application deadline: January 15
  • Application requirements: CV, Personal statement, three letters of recommendation including one from host Program Director
  • P.I. information
  • Eligibility: Successful candidates have a strong background in research and a commitment to an academic career path.
  • Additional information can be requested by contacting Lisa Catapano, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director, NIMH Clinical Fellowship Program

Apply online 

Two pathways for applicants (MD, DO, or MD-PhD) interested in academic psychiatry at the NIH. The PGY4 Track requires completing 3 years in general psychiatry residency, followed by 2 additional years in the NIMH Clinical Fellowship Program. The Clinical Fellowship Track is for those who have completed psychiatry or related specialty training and includes a 3-year commitment to specialty research and academic career development.

Affiliated Fellowship Training Program in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

Georgetown University Department of Psychiatry sponsors a subspecialty fellowship program in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Psychosomatic Medicine) which is affiliated with the Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Service of the NIMH Office of the Clinical Director. Fellows in this program rotate for six months at the NIH Clinical Center as part of this one-year fellowship. For more information see the Georgetown University Hospital CL Fellowship.