ATTACHMENT 3_Applicant Introductory Letter

Dear Applicant:

We are pleased to learn of your interest in the Pharmacology Research Associate (PRAT) Program. Enclosed are the application materials. In order to be considered for the PRAT Program, you must complete and return the following items by Wednesday, January 29, 2010 (COB):

1. Application for the PRAT Program

2. Preceptor Selection Verification Form

3. Recommendation Letter from the Institute Scientific Director

4. Three Evaluation of Applicant forms

5. Official copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts

6. Biographical sketch for the applicant (please include email address, if possible)

7. Biographical sketch for the preceptor

8. Three copies of publications (optional)

The PRAT Program requires that a preceptor be selected in advance of the application process. It is the applicant's responsibility to identify and contact the potential preceptor, and to develop a research proposal with their preceptor. A research plan should be prepared that matches the abilities and interests of the candidate with the opportunities for mentorship that the preceptor can provide. Descriptions of NIH research labs and projects can be found at

http://www. training.nih.gov/postdoctoral/search.html.

On the Application for the PRAT Program, questions 14 and 15 on page three, four, and five need detailed answers. The Selection Panel will be looking for your research plan and how the research experience will contribute to pharmacology. See the attachment to the application form for directions and page limits for these questions. Additionally, please provide complete information in response to questions 5b and 5c. This is to help the Selection Panel determine what you will be doing from the time of receipt of your doctorate degree until the expected start date of the PRAT appointment.

There is a Preceptor Selection Verification Form that must be signed and returned by your preceptor of choice, acknowledging that he/she has read and approved your research plan. Additionally, potential preceptors must provide information on their experience training fellows in their laboratory; and a Letter of Recommendation from the Intramural Scientific Director.

Each of your three references must complete and return the enclosed Requests for Evaluation of Applicant (be sure to write your name on these forms before giving them to your evaluator). It is essential that the reviewers have all three recommendations in order to evaluate the application. Your references may also submit a letter along with the recommendation form, but the form must be sent. The potential preceptor cannot be a reference.

Page 2 - PRAT Program Cover Letter

Have one official copy of academic transcripts from both graduate and undergraduate schools sent directly from the institution. These should be mailed to:

Ms. Christian Shaw

PRAT Program Analyst/Assistant

NIGMS, NIH

Room 2AS-49B

45 Center Drive, MSC 6200

Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6200

Current two-page biographical sketches must be completed for both the applicant and the preceptor. The supplied NIH forms should be used for this information.

Submission of three copies of reprints and/or preprints is optional, but the reviewers do use them as a part of the evaluation process. Please submit only manuscripts that have been accepted, and are published or in press.

The deadline for completed applications, including transcripts and recommendations, is

Wednesday, January 29, 2010 (Close of Business). You may check with this office prior to the deadline to ensure that all of your application materials have arrived. It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in March-April 2010, and that the notification process will begin in May/June 2010.

The PRAT Fellowships begin in October 2010; however, earlier start dates via other mechanisms may be negotiated individually by a fellow with the host laboratory, following acceptance into the PRAT Program. Applicants may apply prior to coming to NIH or FDA, or they may have started postdoctoral research at NIH or FDA within the 12-month period prior to the application receipt deadline.

You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident to apply for this program. Information on other research and clinical fellowship opportunities at the NIH is available from the NIH Office of Education, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 1C‑129, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, (30l) 496‑2427.

If you have any further questions about the PRAT Program, please contact us at (30l) 594-3583.

Sincerely yours,

Pamela A. Marino, Ph.D. Richard T. Okita, Ph.D.

PRAT Program Co-Director PRAT Program Co-Director

Enclosures