NIH Building a Federated, AI-Aware Data Ecosystem
Click on Apply below to start your application. 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.
Immersive STEM Learning Fellowship at NIH ODSS
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. NIH ODSS leads groundbreaking initiatives such as the Multimodal AI Program (MAI) and the NIH Cloud Platforms Interoperability Program (NCPI). MAI focuses on developing artificial intelligence approaches capable of integrating diverse clinical and biological data types, while NCPI creates frameworks and standards that enable researchers to seamlessly search, access, and analyze large-scale, controlled-access datasets.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Conroy, participants will engage in guided learning experiences to deepen their understanding of multimodal AI, explore technical and governance aspects of NCPI, and design pilot projects that promote federated tools and methodologies (e.g., privacy-enhancing technologies, federated learning, and data quality assessment) across ODSS-funded programs. This fellowship emphasizes skill-building, scientific inquiry, and hands-on training in NIH-wide data ecosystem planning and implementation.
What Will I Be Doing?
With mentorship and guidance from the ODSS team, participants will:
- 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.
Why Should I Apply?
This STEM learning fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, and NIH-led research initiatives. 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. Guided by experienced mentors, participants will expand their scientific knowledge and contribute to innovative solutions that advance the field of data science in biomedical research.
Fellows are expected to be fully engaged in-person. In-person 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 and may be renewed annually up to an additional four 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.
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.
Citizenship Requirements: 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.
A completed application consists of:
- A complete Zintellect profile.
- A program specific application submitted in Zintellect.
- Transcript(s) – Submit a copy of your most recent official transcript. For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic record printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted to complete the application requirement, if you do not have a copy of your official transcript at the time of application. The transcript or academic record must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, courses completed/in progress, grades and degree expected/awarded. A copy of your official transcript and/or letter showing proof of your degree may be required prior to starting the appointment. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation.
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
- One Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application, but up to three are encouraged. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success, as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted before your application can be reviewed.
All documents submitted must be in English or include an official English translation. All social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth should be removed (blanked out or blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
If you have questions, contact us at NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code NIH-DPCPSI-ODSS-DataEcosystem-2026 for this opportunity in your email.
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I affirm that I have received my Master's or Doctoral degree within the last five years or am currently enrolled in a graduate program. If currently enrolled, I understand that my degree must be received before the appointment start date.
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