Who is eligible
Current graduate students working toward the PhD under the direction of a preceptor of the Training Program in a field related to communication sciences and disorders may apply to the Training Program. Students must be U.S. citizens and meet the other criteria for eligibility established by NIH. Students who have been accepted to a participating graduate program, but have not yet begun study are also eligible to apply.  

Requirements
All trainees are expected to complete the program of study required by their home departments. Trainees are expected to work full-time on the research training program. Trainees have several additional course requirements:

• Weekly participation in and annual presentation at the Doctoral Research Forum (SPHSC 567).
• Participation in the Training Grant Seminar each year.
• Completion of one content course outside the area of study, chosen in consultation with the student’s committee and approved by the Training Program Director.
• Preparation and submission of a predoctoral fellowship application (NIH F31 or equivalent).
• Completion of Grant Writing in the Hearing and Speech Sciences (SPHSC 568).
• Participation in the Biomedical Research Integrity series annually.
  

Period of appointment
Students are appointed for one year, with re-appointment for a second contingent on adequate progress. Students must apply for re-appointment. Students may compete for, but are in no way guaranteed, support beyond two years.
  
Support offered
Trainees are paid a stipend according to the NIH schedule, and their tuition is covered by the training program. Limited funds are available for travel to scientific meetings and for research expenses.
  
Application Process
Applications are accepted each year in for entrance into the program in September. Students must submit a curriculum vitae: a 3-page summary of their proposed research; a 1-page description of other planned training activities, such as coursework, teaching or clinical practice; 2 letters of recommendation; and a letter of support from the proposed mentor.