INVEST Fellowships for Postdoctoral Training

INVEST Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (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 all aspects of drug use and addiction, including 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 National Institute on Drug Abuse (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 Clinical Trials Network (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 on drug use and addiction, 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