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  5. Reasons to Choose NIDDK for Your Fellowship
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for New Fellows

Some of the most common questions about NIDDK postdoctoral and M.D. fellowships are answered below. If you have additional questions please refer to the NIH Postdoc Handbook (PDF, 1.42 MB) or contact the NIDDK Fellowship Office.

Visiting Fellows

Information for visiting fellows is available on the Division of International Services (DIS) website.

Basic Benefits

How fellows are paid depends on the details of their appointment mechanism. Additional information on income and taxes is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, pages 53-56 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postbac Handbook, pages 44-45 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

Fellows do not accrue annual or sick leave. However, they are excused for Federal holidays, illness, personal emergencies, and vacations when their training periods are longer than 90 days. Additional information is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 48 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postbac Handbook, page 38 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

Conferences and Professional Development

Travel support will come from the fellow’s principal investigator’s budget. Additional information is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 47 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postbac Handbook, page 39 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

There are a variety of opportunities for professional development available to NIDDK fellows. View opportunities and other reasons why you should choose NIDDK for your fellowship.

NIH offers courses in English as a Second Language. Additional information is available on the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) Graduate School. Additional resources are available through the Office of Training & Education.

Yes, secondary mentoring is available for all types of fellows at NIDDK. For inquiries, email .

Loan Deferment and Repayment

NIH fellows are eligible for loan deferment. Additional information is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 56 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postbac Handbook, page 35 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

NIH research and clinical fellows are eligible to participate in the NIH Loan Repayment Program. Additional information is available on the NIH Loan Repayment Program website and in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 56 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 35 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

Child Care

Child care programs and centers are available for infants, toddlers, and preschool age children. Information on these programs is available on the NIH Child and Family Programs website. View Specific Child Care Programs.

In addition, the Office of Research Services offers a Nursing Mothers Program.

Diversity Resources

A number of diversity communities exist at the NIH. Additional information on these communities is available

When You Arrive

Upon completion of your appointment paperwork you will receive notifications by email regarding your security clearance and NIH badge. Additional information is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 12-22 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postdoc Handbook, page 10-16 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

Information on the NIH Transhare Program, parking, and shuttles is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, pages 15-17 (PDF, 1.42 MB) and NIH Postdoc Handbook, pages 11-13 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .

NIDDK fellows can complete an online NIH orientation, an in person NIH orientation, and an in person NIDDK orientation with the Fellowship Office for Postbaccalaureate and Postdoctoral fellows. The NIDDK Fellowship Office will contact incoming fellows for orientation within a month. Information on online NIH courses is available in the NIH Postdoc Handbook, pages 61-62 (PDF, 1.42 MB) .