How Prestigious Is An NIH Fellowship?

[Anonymous]

My cousin was recently awarded an NIH fellowship in cardiology.

My aunt was rejoicing and saying how prestigious those are. Is that true?


Are NIH fellowships really that prestigious?

[Anonymous]

What does that mean? It's a good thing but it's not winning the nobel prize. There's just no "measure" of prestige. Congrulate your cousin when you see him and your aunt and just smile and nod as she brags on and on. You don't have to overthink this.

[Anonymous]

Yeah they are prestigious and competitive. Why is this an issue?

[Anonymous]

Dunno. But she's her mom. So what else was she gonna say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah they are prestigious and competitive. Why is this an issue?

Maybe the aunt feels like prestige would open more doors for her

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to your cousin. That sounds like wonderful news for her right around the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Congrats, that is a nice accomplishment. Anyone willing to go into medical research gets kuddos in my book.

What are you doing OP to make the world a better place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats, that is a nice accomplishment. Anyone willing to go into medical research gets kuddos in my book.

What are you doing OP to make the world a better place?

+1

Good for her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cousin was recently awarded an NIH fellowship in cardiology.

My aunt was rejoicing and saying how prestigious those are. Is that true?

Are NIH fellowships really that prestigious?

Congratulations to your cousin! Yay!

[Anonymous]

An NIH fellowship is generally the right to work at the NIH for a specific period of time and a specific research topic. My husband received one for his post-doctorate work.

Once you have your PhD and/or MD (my DH has both) and apply for a fellowship with all your relevant qualifications, published work and experience, it is not that difficult to obtain.

The difficulty resides in getting said qualifications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does that mean? It's a good thing but it's not winning the nobel prize. There's just no "measure" of prestige. Congrulate your cousin when you see him and your aunt and just smile and nod as she brags on and on. You don't have to overthink this.

agree.

[Anonymous]

I work at NIH which is the leading agency in biomedical research so kudos to your cousin.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is a big deal. Let your aunt kvell a bit.

Your cousin is making a success of herself in a very competitive field and she has worked very, very hard to get this far and probably given up a lot. Also she is getting to do something she loves.

[Anonymous]

While NIH will be an unusual training experience, it's also a very difficult work environment. Usually will solidify a practiner's desire to not do research. Low wages, little reward. The post-doc fellowships are not competitive unless it's a top lab. The MD fellowships are a little competitive, but most MDs don't bother to pursue research because it has little relevance to treating patients and it's more years of low wages compared to private private practice. -ex NIHer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
An NIH fellowship is generally the right to work at the NIH for a specific period of time and a specific research topic. My husband received one for his post-doctorate work.

Once you have your PhD and/or MD (my DH has both) and apply for a fellowship with all your relevant qualifications, published work and experience, it is not that difficult to obtain.

The difficulty resides in getting said qualifications.

Agreed. It is essentially a glorified internship. Prestigious is to direct a lab or be a full Professor at a top university.