INVEST Fellowships for Postdoctoral Training

INVEST Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship

The NIDA International Program INVEST Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship combines postdoctoral research training in the United States with professional development activities and grant-writing guidance to form a unique program for drug use and addiction scientists. Fellows may conduct their research in any aspect of the biomedical or behavioral science of drug use and addiction. Previous fellows have conducted research in basic biological and behavioral research, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Fellows and their mentors are encouraged to develop jointly and seek funding for a collaborative research project to be conducted in the fellow’s home country. Fellows and their U.S. mentors are part of a network of international scientists who exchange information and collaborate on drug use and addiction research nationally, regionally, and globally.

INVEST/Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship

The NIDA International Program and the Center for Clinical Trials Network (CCTN) have joined forces to offer INVEST/CTN Fellowships to non-U.S. scientists who will work with a mentor affiliated with one of the CTN Regional Research and Training Centers.

The INVEST/CTN Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship combines postdoctoral research training in the United States with professional development activities and grant-writing guidance to form a unique program for drug use and addiction scientists. Fellows may conduct their research in any aspect of the CTN research agenda, such as intervention research, clinical trials methodology, or drug use treatment as HIV/AIDS prevention. Fellows and their mentors are encouraged to develop jointly and seek funding for a collaborative research project to be conducted in the fellow’s home country. Fellows and their U.S. mentors are part of a network of international scientists who exchange information and collaborate on drug use and addiction research nationally, regionally, and globally.

INVEST Prevention Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship

The NIDA INVEST Prevention Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for researchers from any country to obtain postdoctoral training with a NIDA-supported U.S. mentor. Prevention Research Fellows benefit from an intensive research training experience designed to enhance the fellow’s ability to conduct independent research upon return to their home country. Applicants and their U.S. mentor may propose to conduct their research in any area of drug use and addiction prevention research, such as prevention intervention research, prevention services research, prevention methodology, or drug use and addiction prevention as HIV/AIDS prevention. During the fellowship, the fellow receives training in drug use and addiction research methods, develops and conducts a research project with the NIDA grantee, and participates in professional development activities. Fellows also learn about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant application process from their U.S. mentor who has successfully sought NIDA support. Prevention Research Fellows and their U.S. mentors join a network of international scientists who exchange information and collaborate on drug use and addiction research nationally, regionally, and globally.

What Does the Fellowship Include?

The 12-month fellowship provides:

  • Rigorous postdoctoral research training with a NIDA grantee at a U.S. Institution*  
    *Under the INVEST/CTN Fellowship, the postdoctoral research training is with a NIDA grantee affiliated with one of the CTN Regional Research and Training Centers.
  • Professional development activities that help you establish personal relationships with NIDA grantees and NIDA officials who are willing to continue working with you after you return home.
  • A stipend for living and personal expenses and an allowance to cover the cost of health insurance and professional development activities. The fellowship also provides air travel, for the fellow only, at the beginning and end of the fellowship.
  • Fellows may apply to renew the fellowship once.

Who Is Eligible?

The requirements for applicants are:

  • An earned doctoral degree in medicine, public health, or biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences.
  • Postdoctoral research experience, including a demonstrated ability to engage in independent research (recommended 2 years of experience).
  • Written assurance from an institution in the home country that there is a position to which the applicant can return after completing the fellowship.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English.
  • Citizenship or permanent residency in a country other than the United States.
  • Living and working outside the United States at the time the application is submitted.
  • Eligibility for the J-1 visa to enter the United States.

Who Is Eligible To Be a Mentor?

Your mentor must be a NIDA-funded researcher in the United States. The mentor’s NIDA-funded grant must be active throughout the proposed fellowship period. Under the INVEST/CTN Fellowship, the mentor must also be affiliated with one of the CTN Regional Research and Training Centers. Under the INVEST Prevention Fellowship, the mentor’s research work must involve an aspect of drug use and addiction prevention research.

How Can I Find a Mentor?

First, write a brief summary of your goals for the fellowship. Outline your proposed research question, the scientific methods you will use to answer that question, and the data needed to complete your investigation. List the skills, techniques, or methods you wish to learn or improve during your fellowship.

This exercise will help you identify the search terms you can use to identify potential mentors. Search the RePORTER database of research projects supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), review peer-reviewed publications indexed by PubMed, consult the listing of previous INVEST fellows and mentors listing included below, or contact the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.

Before contacting a potential mentor, you should:

  • Update your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to ensure your information is current.
  • Confirm your eligibility for the fellowship by emailing the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.
  • Learn more about the potential mentor you’ve identified, including scientific discipline and specific research interests, by reviewing the potential mentor’s publications, research background, and professional website.

When emailing a potential mentor:

  • Discuss how your proposed research project is compatible with the mentor’s research.
  • Provide information about your eligibility, educational and professional background (include your CV and list of publications), and the goals of your fellowship and research project.
  • Do not contact more than two or three potential mentors at the same time.

What Materials Should I Use To Prepare My Application?

Assembling your INVEST application requires careful and thorough coordination between you and your mentor. Review the instruction packet for information guiding the development of your application.

In addition to completing the online application forms, you must upload a detailed research plan and your mentor must upload a statement approving the plan and discussing how the research and fellowship plans were developed. You are responsible for writing the research plan, and your mentor must review and approve your plan before you upload it. These documents are the most important parts of the Fellowship application and should demonstrate collaboration between you and your mentor. To request examples of previously awarded fellowship applications, please e-mail us at ip@nida.nih.gov.

How Should I Apply?

You and your mentor must submit your individual portions of the fellowship application online.

Application components include:

  • A completed electronic application form, which includes the uploaded research plan and mentor statement.
  • A completed Reference Report Form and a letter of recommendation from two professional references. The letters of recommendation should be on the references’ official institution letterhead. The references must email the completed Reference Report Form and letter of recommendation directly to the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.
  • The applicant must submit a Certification of doctoral degree(s) (including English translation if necessary). The Certification must be emailed directly to the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.
  • The applicant must submit a letter providing assurance of a future position with the applicant’s current employer; the letter should be on the employer’s official letterhead. The letter of assurance must be emailed directly to the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.
  • The mentor must submit a letter from an institution representative confirming the institution as a sponsor of the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and the institution’s eligibility to prepare and issue the requisite Form DS-2019 for the INVEST applicant and his/her dependents. The Exchange Visitor Program sponsor confirmation letter must be emailed directly to the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.

You and your mentor must complete all sections of the electronic application form and upload the research plan and the mentor statement by 4:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on or before the deadline for the application period. All additional supporting documents (e.g., certification of doctoral degree, references, etc.) must be submitted by email on or before the deadline for the application period.

Annual Application Deadline: October 1  
Annual Notification of Award: December 1

For assistance, email the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.

Who Has Been a Postdoctoral Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellow and Mentor?

2013 to 2023

 

YearFellowshipFellowMentor
2022INVESTIlia Nadareishvili
Georgia		Jeffrey Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Karsten Lunze, M.D., M.P.H., DrPH.
Boston Medical Center
Boston University School of Medicine
Grace Scent
Nigeria		William Crano, Ph.D.
Claremont Graduate University
2021INVESTDarika Saingam
Thailand		Carl Latkin, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
INVEST/CTNLaura Brandt
Germany		Edward Nunes, Ph.D.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute
2020INVESTJoao Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
Brazil		Silvia Martins, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Larissa Maier
Switzerland		Dorie Apollonio, Ph.D.
University of California, San Francisco
Tekendra Rai
India		Linda Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H.
University of Florida
INVEST NIDA InsermLauren Reynolds
United States		Philippe Faure, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Paris Seine Institute, Sorbonne Université
2019INVEST/CTNEsperanza Romero Rodriguez
Spain		Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston University
INVEST NIDA InsermLauren Reynolds
United States		Philippe Faure, Ph.D.
Neuroscience Paris Seine Institute, Sorbonne Université
2018INVESTReza Ghanbari
Iran		Susan Sumner, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Marina Vetrova
Russia		Jeffrey Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston Medical Center
INVEST/CTNEsperanza Romero Rodriguez
Spain		Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston University
INVEST NIDA InsermMarine Azevedo da Silva
France		Silvia S. Martins, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Anissa Bara
France		Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2017INVESTJudit Tirado-Munoz
Spain		Daniel Werb, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
INVEST NIDA InsermMarine Azevedo da Silva
France		Silvia S. Martins, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Anissa Bara
France		Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2016INVESTReza Ghanbari
Iran		Susan Sumner, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
INVEST/CTNAnne Campbell
Ireland		Dennis McCarty, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
INVEST NIDA InsermYann Pelloux
France		Shaham Yavin, Ph.D.
NIDA Intramural Research Program, USA
Andrew Scheyer
United States		Olivier Jacques Jose Manzoni, Ph.D.
Institut de Neurobiologie de la Mediterranee, France
2015INVESTYanhui Liao
China		Edythe London, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Bulat Idrisov
Russia		Jeffrey Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston Medical Center
Roy Otten
The Netherlands		Thomas J. Dishion, Ph.D.
Arizona State University
INVEST/CTNLysa Remy
Brazil		George E. Woody, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
INVEST NIDA InsermCeline Nicolas
France		Satoshi Ikemoto, Ph.D.
NIDA Intramural Research Program, USA
Vivien Zell
France		Thomas Hnasko, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego, USA
INVEST PreventionAnnick Bórquez
Mexico/United Kingdom		Natasha K. Martin, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
NIDA-ANRSRubén Muñoz
Spain		Kimberly Brouwer, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
2014INVESTJinsong Tang
China		Edythe London, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
INVEST/CTNChandra Jha
Australia		Dennis M. Donovan, Ph.D.
University of Washington
INVEST NIDA InsermVivien Zell
France		Thomas Hnasko, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego, USA
Yann Pelloux
France		Shaham Yavin, Ph.D.
NIDA Intramural Research Program
Andrew Scheyer
United States		Olivier Jacques Jose Manzoni, Ph.D.
Institut de Neurobiologie de la Mediterranee, France
NIDA-ANRSNicholas Thomson
Australia		Chris Beyrer, M.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Trupti Ishwar Gilada
India		Ann Duerr, Ph.D., M.D., M.P.H.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington
Andrew Guise
United Kingdom		Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
Ernest T. Chivero
Zimbabwe		Shilpa Buch, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
2013INVESTAntonis Gardikiotis
Greece		William D. Crano, Ph.D.
Claremont Graduate University
Zulvia Syarif
Indonesia		Marek C. Chawarski, Ph.D.
Yale University
Bilal Salem
Saudi Arabia		Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Makhbatsho Bakhromov
Tajikistan		Carl A. Latkin, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Michel Verheij
The Netherlands		George F. Koob, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
INVEST/CTNHaifeng Jiang
China		Walter Ling, M.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
NIDA-IAS-ANRSSin How Lim
Malaysia		Frederick L. Altice, M.D.
Yale University
Francis Bajunirwe
Uganda		David R. Bangsberg, M.D., M.P.H.
Harvard Medical School
Anh Dam Tran
Vietnam		Gregory S. Zaric, Ph.D.
University of Western Ontario, Canada
Bach Xuan Tran
Vietnam		Carl A. Latkin, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
2000 to 2012

 

YearFellowshipFellowMentor
2012INVESTJan Klimas
Ireland		Dennis McCarty, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
Sujung Yoon
South Korea		Perry F. Renshaw, M.D., Ph.D.
The Brain Institute, University of Utah
Tetiana Kiriazova
Ukraine		Jeffrey H. Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston Medical Center
NIDA-IASMd. Salequl Islam Saleque
Bangladesh		Gregory D. Kirk, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
Johns Hopkins University
Georgios Nikolopoulos
Greece		Samuel R. Friedman, Ph.D.
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
Mehrak Javadi Paydar
Iran		Rosemarie M. Booze, Ph.D.
University of South Carolina
Seyed Ramin Radfar
Iran		Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Makhbatsho Bakhromov
Tajikistan		Judith A. Levy, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Chicago
2011INVESTGabor Egervari
Hungary		Yasmin L. Hurd, Ph.D.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Saeed Momtazi
Iran		Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Hongqiang Sun
China		Thomas R. Kosten, M.D.
Baylor College of Medicine
Arina Tyurina
Russia		Jeffrey H. Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston Medical Center
INVEST/CTNVivi Octavia Lubis
Indonesia		George E. Woody, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
INVEST PreventionArgentina Servin
Mexico		Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D., and Jay G. Silverman, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
NIDA-IASHuaihui Zhang
China		Richard Schottenfeld, M.D.
Yale University
Jinmei Meng
China		Scott Burris, J.D.
Temple University
Iko Safika
Indonesia		Timothy P. Johnson, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Chicago
2010INVESTPerrine Roux
France		Sandra Comer, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Mikhail Torban
Russia		Robert Heimer, Ph.D.
Yale University
Huaihui Zhang
China		Richard Schottenfeld, M.D.
Yale University
INVEST/CTNCecile Denis
France		John Cacciola, Ph.D., and Charles O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Sergii Dvoriak
Ukraine		George E. Woody, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Maria de L. Garcia-Anaya
Mexico		Edward V. Nunes, Jr., M.D.
New York State Psychiatric Institute
José Szapocznik, Ph.D.
University of Miami
Rushit Ismajli
Kosovo		Dennis M. Donovan, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Effatalsadat Merghati Kohei
Iran		Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
Xuyi Wang
China		Walter Ling, M.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
NIDA-IASShusen Liu
China		Zunyou Wu, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, China
Adhi Nurhidayat
Indonesia		David Metzger, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Elena Dukhovlinova
Russia		Ronald I. Swanstrom, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill
Jonathan Claude Ipser
South Africa		Igor Grant, M.D., FRCP(C)
University of California, San Diego
2009INVESTMarta Concheiro Guisan
Spain		Marilyn Huestis, Ph.D.
NIDA Intramural Research Program
Sheng Liu
China		Gary S. Aston-Jones, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
Alberto Moriggia
Italy		David L. Thomas, M.D.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
INVEST/CTNSuzanne Nielsen
Australia		Walter Ling, M.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Felipe Vallejo Reyes
Chile		Eugene Somoza, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Cincinnati
Meera Vaswani
India		Wade Berrettini, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
NIDA-IASMicah Ongeri Oyaro
Kenya		John L. Wylie, Ph.D.
University of Manitoba, Canada
Maria Gudelia Rangel
Mexico		Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
2008INVESTJiang Du
China		Hser Yih-Ing, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Paula M. Mayock
Ireland		Michael C. Clatts, Ph.D.
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
Adhi Wibowo Nurhidayat
Indonesia		David Metzger, Ph.D., and George E. Woody, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Akiko Shimamoto Kiyoshima
Japan		Klaus A. Miczek, Ph.D.
Tufts University
Paulo Roberto Telles P. Diaz
Brazil		Kimberly Page Shafer, Ph.D.
Institute for Global Health/CAPS, University of California, San Francisco
Wenhua Zhou
China		Peter Kalivas, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
INVEST/CTNLeonardo Estacio, Jr.
Philippines		Dennis M. Donovan, Ph.D.
University of Washington
Mario Zapata
Colombia		Michael Robbins, Ph.D.
University of Miami
2007INVESTWagner Alves de Souza Judice
Brazil		Iris Lindberg, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Louisiana State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore
Doug Hyun Han
South Korea		Perry F. Renshaw, M.D., Ph.D.
McLean Brain Imaging Center and Harvard Medical School
Sung-Jin Cho
South Korea		Alan P. Kozikowski, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Chicago
INVEST/CTNAmit Chakrabarti
India		Roger Weiss, M.D.
McLean Hospital
Gvantsa Piralishvili
Georgia		George E. Woody, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Chen Hanhui
China		Walter Ling, M.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
2006INVESTTsafrir Loebl
Israel		A. Eden Evins, M.D., M.P.H.
Addictions Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital
Oscar Quintela
Spain		Dennis Crouch, M.B.A.
Center for Human Toxicology, University of Utah
J. Michael Walsh, Ph.D.
The Walsh Group
Maciej Stasiak
Poland		Nicholas E. Goeders, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center - Shreveport
Young Hoon Sung
South Korea		Perry F. Renshaw, M.D., Ph.D.
McLean Brain Imaging Center
2005INVESTMarco Bortolato
Italy		Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., Pharm.D.
University of California, Irvine
Lan Zhang
China		Kenneth Kendler, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Liliana Cancela
Argentina		Peter W. Kalivas, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
2004INVESTMarjaterttu Pajulo
Finland		Linda C. Mayes, M.D.
Yale University School of Medicine
Yufeng Chen
China		Alan P. Kozikowski, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Chicago
2003INVESTIsabelle Husson
France		Barry E. Kosofsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital East
Tamo Nakamura
Australia		Anthony A. Wright, Ph.D.
University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Yilang Tang
China		Joseph F. Cubells, M.D., Ph.D.
Yale University School of Medicine
2002INVESTDebasish Basu
India		Joel Gelernter, M.D.
Yale University
Patricia Obando
Costa Rica		Dace Svikis, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Tatiana P. Tsarouk
Russia		Elaine Thompson, Ph.D.
University of Washington, Seattle
Min Zhao
China		Howard Liddle, Ed.D.
University of Miami School of Medicine
2001INVESTHenrik Druid
Sweden		Deborah C. Mash, Ph.D.
University of Miami
Chuang Liu
China		Elliot A. Stein, Ph.D
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
1999-2000INVESTAbdel Azim Assi
Egypt		Charles I. Chavkin, Ph.D.
University of Washington, Seattle
Elisa Mengual
Spain		Virginia M. Pickel, Ph.D.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Vaughan Rees
Australia		Jeffrey H. Samet, M.D., M.P.H.
Boston University School of Medicine
1994 to 1999

 

YearFellowshipFellowMentor
1998-99INVESTYou Wan
China		Jeffrey S. Mogil, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Neo Morojele
South Africa		Judith S. Brook, Ed.D.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
1997-98INVESTGuilherme Borges
Mexico		Ronald C. Kessler, Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School
Yulia Lyupina
Russia		James E. Smith, Ph.D.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Olivier Manzoni
France		John T. Williams, Ph.D.
Oregon Health Sciences University
1996-97INVESTSilvia Cruz
Mexico		Robert L. Balster, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Raka Jain
India		Stephen G. Holtzman, Ph.D. (deceased)
Emory University School of Medicine
Danxin Wang
China		Wolfgang Sadée, Ph.D.
University of California, San Francisco
1995-96INVESTBashir Ahmad
Pakistan		Nissar A. Darmani, Ph.D.
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Irena Martin-Kleiner
Croatia		Jean M. Bidlack, Ph.D.
University of Rochester
Steve McGaraughty
Canada		Mary M. Heinricher, Ph.D.
Oregon Health Sciences University
Zhengxiong Xi
China		Elliot A. Stein, Ph.D.
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
1994-95INVESTAnton Bespalov
Russia		Robert L. Balster, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Suchandra Ghosh
India		Martin A. Adler, Ph.D.
Temple University School of Medicine
Ella Nikulina
Russia		Klaus A. Miczek, Ph.D.
Tufts University
1993-94INVESTYaprak Egilmez
Turkey		Michael Emmett Oglesby, Ph.D.
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Gerald Zernig
Austria		James H. Woods, Ph.D.
University of Michigan Medical School