The Office of Education and Career Development (OECD) recognizes excellence in research, mentoring, and scientific communication within the NIDA Intramural Research Program.
Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE)
The Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) recognizes outstanding scientific research conducted by trainees in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Sponsored by the NIH Fellows Committee (FelCom), NIH Scientific Directors, and the Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE), FARE provides eligible fellows and graduate students with an opportunity to submit a research abstract for peer review. Abstracts receiving scores in the top 25% are recognized as FARE awardees
FARE awardees receive $1,500 to support attendance at a scientific meeting where they present their research. Awardees participate in the NIDA & NIA Baltimore Fellows Symposium and may also be considered for presentations at the NIH Research Festival or NIH Special Interest Group seminar series.
Application periods and deadlines vary each year. Visit the NIH OITE FARE website for current eligibility requirements, application dates, abstract guidelines, and award information. For more information: https://www.training.nih.gov/felcom/fare/
Important Dates
FARE 2028 submissions will open in spring 2027.
Winners are announced in July.
Mentoring Awards
Mentoring Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the research training, professional development, and career growth of NIDA trainees. The awards celebrate mentors whose guidance and support contribute to positive research training experiences and the development of the next generation of scientists.
Awards are presented annually in three categories:
- Investigator Award — tenured or tenure-track investigator
- Staff Scientist/Staff Clinician Award
- Fellow Award — postdoctoral fellows, including IRTA, clinical, visiting, and research fellows
How to Nominate a Mentor
Members of the NIDA IRP community are invited to nominate individuals who have made meaningful contributions to trainee development and mentoring. Nominations should reflect the nominator’s independent and voluntary decision to recognize an individual based on their own experiences and judgment.
A complete nomination includes the Mentoring Award Nomination Form and a statement of support of no more than 500 words.
Information and Guidelines:
- Mentoring Award Nomination Form
- Mentoring Awards Information and Guidelines
Nomination Deadline: March 1, 2027
Submit nominations to: OECD@nih.gov
NIDA IRP Outstanding Poster Awards
The NIDA IRP Outstanding Poster Awards recognize trainees who demonstrate excellence in scientific research and research communication during the annual NIDA Poster Day. Poster Day provides trainees with an opportunity to present their research to the NIDA IRP community and to discuss their work with scientists and fellow trainees. The awards recognize poster presentations that effectively communicate the research question, experimental approach, findings, and significance of the work.
Poster presentations are evaluated by NIDA IRP judges in three areas: poster organization and appearance, scientific content, and presentation delivery. Judges consider factors such as the organization and readability of the poster, the presentation of the research question and experimental design, the interpretation of results and conclusions, the presenter’s understanding of the overall project, and the ability to communicate the research clearly and respond thoughtfully to questions.
Judge evaluations are used to identify approximately the top 15–20% of poster presentations for recognition as Outstanding Poster Award recipients. The awards are presented during the annual NIDA Poster Day and Mentoring Awards Ceremony.
