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  • About OIR
    • OIR Leadership & Staff
      • Nina F. Schor, M.D., Ph.D.
      • Roland A. Owens, Ph.D.
      • Janice Lee, D.D.S., M.D., M.S.
      • Andy Baxevanis, Ph.D.
      • Charles R. Dearolf, Ph.D.
      • Nadine Fonrose, M.A.
      • Arlyn García-Pérez, Ph.D.
      • Carl Hashimoto, Ph.D.
      • Kathryn M. Partin, Ph.D.
      • Rena Rodriguez, B.S.
      • Dierdre S. Andrews
      • Diana Gomez
      • Chanee' M. Jackson
      • Karen Nemes
      • Risa Isonaka, Ph.D.
      • Parker Ruhl, M.D., M.H.S.
      • Lisa L. Coronado, M.B.A.
      • Bonny Harbinger, Ph.D., J.D.
      • David B. Resnik, J.D., Ph.D.
      • Richard G. Wyatt, M.D.
    • DDIR Innovation Awards
    • Long-Term IRP Planning
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  • Sourcebook
    • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors
      • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Membership
      • NIH IRP Scientific Directors
      • NIH IRP Clinical Directors
      • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Subcommittees
    • Committees Advisory to the DDIR
      • Assembly of Scientists (AOS)
      • Committee on Scientific Conduct and Ethics (CSCE)
      • Central Tenure Committee (CTC)
      • Chairs of the Boards of Scientific Counselors
      • Tenure-Track Investigators Committee
      • Women Scientist Advisors (WSA) Committee
      • Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC)
      • Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Committee
      • Facilities Working Group
      • NIH Space Recommendation Board
      • PHS Technology Transfer Policy Board
    • Processes for Reviewing NIH Intramural Science
      • Boards of Scientific Counselors (BSC)
        • Process for Appeal to a BSC Review
      • Role and Review of Scientific Directors and Clinical Directors
      • Blue Ribbon Panel Reviews of IC Intramural Research Programs
    • Intramural Program Oversight
      • Electronic Lab Notebooks
        • Intramural Electronic Lab Notebook Policy
        • Frequently Asked Questions About the Use of ELNs at NIH
      • Human Subjects Research
      • Intramural Data Sharing
        • 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
        • Genomic Data Sharing
        • Human Data Sharing
        • Guide to FDAAA Reporting Research Results
          • Frequently Asked Questions: NIH Clinical Trial Definition
          • Assistance Available to Help with Results Reporting to ClinicalTrials.gov
            • Points of Contact for FDAAA Compliance at ICs
      • IRP Research Security
      • Laboratory Safety
      • Management Controls Survey
    • Intramural Administrative Management Council
      • List of Council Members
      • List of Trans-NIH Committees
    • Personnel
      • IPDs and Appointment Mechanisms
        • Official List of Approved Intramural Professional Designations (IPDs)
        • Senior Investigator
        • Investigator
        • Senior Clinician
        • Senior Scientist
        • Assistant Clinical Investigator
        • Staff Clinician
        • Staff Scientist
          • Explanation of Staff Scientist Position and Titles to Academic Colleagues
        • Senior Research Assistant / Research Assistant
        • Adjunct Investigator
        • Scientist Emeritus
        • Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow
        • Visiting Fellow
        • ORISE Senior Fellow
        • Senior Clinical Fellow
        • Clinical Fellow
        • Senior Research Fellow
        • Research Fellow
          • Independent Research Scholar Program
        • Student Opportunities
        • Contractors
        • Guest Researchers / Special Volunteers
        • Research Collaborators
      • Faculty Development
        • 2024 OITE/OIR Professional Development Curriculum for NIH Faculty
        • Senior Advisors for Faculty Development
      • Policies and Recruitment Processes
        • 5-Year / 8-Year Duration Rule
        • Addendum to On-Site Research Collaborators (RC) Policies: On-Site RC Conducting Human Subjects Research at NIH
        • Clarification on Searches for Scientific Director and Clinical Director
        • Departing Staff Request to Remove Copies of NIH Records
        • Extension Exceptions for Non-FTE Trainees for COVID-19
        • Fair Review Principles for Nominations of Staff Scientists for Associate Scientist and Senior Associate Scientist Titles
        • Guide for Avoiding Undue Foreign Interference with IRP Research
        • Guidelines for Parental/Family Excused Absence for IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows
        • Mandated Training for Scientific Staff Working in NIH Facilities
        • Policy for a Letter of Agreement for Staff Scientists
        • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Postbaccalaureate Fellows
        • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Postdoctoral Fellows
        • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Predoctoral Fellows
        • Policy for Use of Contract Workers to Support Scientific Functions in the IRP
        • Policy on Use of English for Official Scientific Communication in NIH Laboratories and Branches
        • Postdoctoral Fellows (IRTA/CRTA/VF) Temporary Exceptional Extensions Policy
        • Roles of Lab and Branch Chiefs (or Equivalent)
        • Telework Policies for IRTA/CRTA and Visiting Fellows
        • Working with Displaced Title 42 Staff Scientists/Clinicians
      • Quality-of-Life Features
      • Sabbaticals
        • NIAAA Sabbatical Program
        • NEI Sabbatical Program
        • NICHD Sabbatical Program
        • PHS Foreign Work / Study Program Policy
      • Opportunities for Short Assignments / Details at the NIH
    • Tenure in the NIH Intramural Research Program
      • Tenure-Track Overview
      • Search & Selection
        • Search Process for Senior Investigators, Tenure-Track Investigators, Senior Clinicians and Senior Scientists
      • Additional Tenure-Track Policies
      • Resources
      • Policy on IC Tenure Review Committees
      • Tenure Overview
      • Search & Selection
      • Criteria for Tenure at the NIH
      • De-Tenuring Process
    • Awards, Fellowships, & Grant Opportunities
      • The Director’s Challenge Innovation Award Program
        • 2020 Director’s Challenge Awards
        • 2022 Director’s Challenge Awards
        • 2024 Director’s Challenge Awards
      • Early Career (Bridge) Awards Open to IRP Scientists
      • Eligibility of Intramural Investigators for NIH Common Fund Awards
      • K99/R00 Grant Award Information
        • Application Approval Process and Additional Information
        • K99/R00 Environment and Institutional Commitment Statement
        • Update from Scientific Directors
      • NIAID Support of Intramural Biodefense Research from ICs Other Than NIAID
    • Ethical Conduct
      • Research Misconduct
        • Anonymous Reporting of Research Misconduct Concerns
        • Taraswi Banerjee, Ph.D.
        • Alfredo R Sancho, Ph.D., M.P.H.
      • Guidelines on Conduct of Research
      • Research Ethics
        • NIH Policies
          • Intramural / Extramural Collaborations
            • NIH Staff Involvement on Extramural Awards - Cooperative Agreements
              • Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the Clinical Center (U01)
              • NIH Bench-to-Bedside Program
            • Activities with Outside Organizations
          • NIH Human Biospecimen Program
            • Frequently Asked Questions
            • List of Biospecimen Liaisons
          • Investigation of Allegations of Research Misconduct
        • NIH Guidelines
      • Authorship Guidelines and Resources
        • Authorship Resources
        • NIH IRP Authorship Conflict Resolution Process
      • Special Research Considerations
        • Dual-Use Research
        • Policy on the Ordering or Provision of Synthetic Nucleic Acids in the IRP
        • Human Stem Cell Use
          • Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESCs) Use
          • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Use
          • Human Embryo Research and Cloning Prohibitions
        • Policies & Procedures for Human Fetal Tissue Research
      • Responsible Conduct of Research Training
        • Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research - Postdoc IRTA, CRTA, VF, Research Associates
          • Reproducibility Training
          • Introduction to “My Laboratory”
        • Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research - Postbacs and GPP Students
        • Resources for Training Directors
        • Annual Review of Ethics (Case Studies)
          • Research Cases for Use by the NIH Community
            • 2021 Ethics Case Facilitator Training
      • Government Ethics
        • Guidelines for Non-FTEs (Trainees) for NIH-Related Activities, Outside Activities, and Awards
      • Bioethics
    • Mentoring & Training
      • Guide to Training and Mentoring
      • Guidelines for Mentors at NIH
      • Guidelines for Trainees at NIH
      • Guidelines for Annual Progress Review of Trainees
      • Scientific Director Policy Updates for Mentors and Trainees
      • Goals for Enhanced Mentoring in the IRP
      • FelCom Mentoring Committee
      • Mentoring Cases for Discussions
    • Submitting Research Publications
      • PubMed Central (PMC) Deposition Requirements
      • Intramural Directions for Submitting to PubMed Central via NIHMS
      • NIH Publishing Agreement Forms
        • Procedures for Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
      • Publication and Abstract Clearance
    • Intramural Research Communications & Resources
      • Annual Reports and Bibliographies
  • Lectures & Events
    • WALS
      • About WALS
      • Current Lecture Season
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        • Browse by Season
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      • Named & Honorific Lectures
        • NIH Director’s Lecture
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        • J. Edward Rall Cultural Lecture
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        • George Khoury Lecture
        • Florence Mahoney Lecture on Aging
        • William E. Paul Lecture
        • DeWitt Stetten Jr. Lecture
      • Continuing Medical Education Credits
    • NIH Research Festival
      • The NIH Research Festival is the showcase for intramural research
      • Visit Website
  • SIGs
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      • Systems Biology
      • Virology
  • IRP Website
    • A premier environment where creative scientists conduct fundamental research for the betterment of human health – we are the IRP
    • Visit Website
  • The NIH Catalyst
    • A publication for and about the NIH intramural research community
    • Visit Website
  • NIDB
    • The NIH Intramural Database collects and disseminates information about research being performed in the Intramural Programs
    • Visit Website

Search & Selection

It has long been recognized that despite some of the difficulties arising from the decentralized structure of the NIH with its multiple semi-independent Institute or Centers (ICs), this organizational diversity is also one of its greatest strengths. It naturally leads to a variety of approaches in developing effective intramural and extramural research programs since there is no single way that can be shown to be optimal. Nevertheless, it is appropriate for the central NIH managers (Office of Director (OD)) to monitor and if necessary intervene in order to assure that overall standards of high productivity, equal opportunity, integrity, matters of safety and many other general aspects of the research establishment are met throughout the NIH organization. It is with the purpose of achieving an appropriate balance between permitting and even encouraging a diversity of approach while at the same time promoting uniformity of excellence in the outcome, that we have considered one of the most important functions of the intramural program: the selection of new investigators.

  • Search Process for Senior Investigators, Tenure-Track Investigators, Senior Clinicians and Senior Scientists
  • Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator Recruitment
  • Role of Search Committee Members

The Tenure-Track Agreement

The Tenure-Track Agreement, co-signed by the Scientific Director, the Laboratory or Branch Chief, the Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR), and the tenure-track candidate, confirms that the specified research program of the tenure-track candidate is consistent with the long-term goals of the Institute’s intramural research program. The Tenure-Track Agreement also defines the timeline and resources—including space, personnel, and budget—that will be allotted to the candidate. These resources must be sufficient to permit the candidate to become established as an independent scientist. Salary must be set at or greater than GS13-step 1 equivalent. It is the responsibility of both the Laboratory or Branch Chief and the Scientific Director to ascertain that these resources are assigned equitably and without discrimination. A copy of the tenure-track agreement is to be sent to the Deputy Director for Intramural Research for approval.

Informing the Tenure-Track Candidate

Each tenure-track candidate will sign and receive a copy of the Tenure-Track Agreement bearing the signatures of the Scientific Director and Laboratory or Branch Chief. The candidate’s tenure clock begins after he or she signs the Tenure-Track Agreement and an official personnel action converts or appoints the candidate to the position of Investigator (tenure track).

  • Sample Tenure-Track Agreement

Check Sheets / Checklists

In order to expedite the processing of personnel actions by the Office of Intramural Research for approval by or notification of the Deputy Director for Intramural Research, please attach as a cover sheet the appropriate check sheet listed below. This will assure that the required documentation has been included and will facilitate subsequent reviews of the proposed action.

Below are the check sheets and checklists that have been developed and approved by the DDIR.

  • Investigator-1 Appointment Check Sheet
  • Investigator-2 or Investigator-HS Appointment Check Sheet

Individual ICs may have additional requirements, check sheets, and/or checklists. Please contact your Administrative Officer (AO) or HR Specialist for additional guidance. For examples of IC-specific check sheets and checklists, please visit:

  • Example IC Check Sheets / Checklists

This page was last updated on Friday, January 31, 2025

Main navigation

  • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors
    • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Membership
    • NIH IRP Scientific Directors
    • NIH IRP Clinical Directors
    • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Subcommittees
  • Committees Advisory to the DDIR
    • Assembly of Scientists (AOS)
    • Committee on Scientific Conduct and Ethics (CSCE)
    • Central Tenure Committee (CTC)
    • Chairs of the Boards of Scientific Counselors
    • Tenure-Track Investigators Committee
    • Women Scientist Advisors (WSA) Committee
    • Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC)
    • Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Committee
    • Facilities Working Group
    • NIH Space Recommendation Board
    • PHS Technology Transfer Policy Board
  • Processes for Reviewing NIH Intramural Science
    • Boards of Scientific Counselors (BSC)
      • Process for Appeal to a BSC Review
    • Role and Review of Scientific Directors and Clinical Directors
    • Blue Ribbon Panel Reviews of IC Intramural Research Programs
  • Intramural Program Oversight
    • Electronic Lab Notebooks
      • Intramural Electronic Lab Notebook Policy
      • Frequently Asked Questions About the Use of ELNs at NIH
    • Human Subjects Research
    • Intramural Data Sharing
      • 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
      • Genomic Data Sharing
      • Human Data Sharing
      • Guide to FDAAA Reporting Research Results
        • Frequently Asked Questions: NIH Clinical Trial Definition
        • Assistance Available to Help with Results Reporting to ClinicalTrials.gov
          • Points of Contact for FDAAA Compliance at ICs
    • IRP Research Security
    • Laboratory Safety
    • Management Controls Survey
  • Intramural Administrative Management Council
    • List of Council Members
    • List of Trans-NIH Committees
  • Personnel
    • IPDs and Appointment Mechanisms
      • Official List of Approved Intramural Professional Designations (IPDs)
      • Senior Investigator
      • Investigator
      • Senior Clinician
      • Senior Scientist
      • Assistant Clinical Investigator
      • Staff Clinician
      • Staff Scientist
        • Explanation of Staff Scientist Position and Titles to Academic Colleagues
      • Senior Research Assistant / Research Assistant
      • Adjunct Investigator
      • Scientist Emeritus
      • Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow
      • Visiting Fellow
      • ORISE Senior Fellow
      • Senior Clinical Fellow
      • Clinical Fellow
      • Senior Research Fellow
      • Research Fellow
        • Independent Research Scholar Program
      • Student Opportunities
      • Contractors
      • Guest Researchers / Special Volunteers
      • Research Collaborators
    • Faculty Development
      • 2024 OITE/OIR Professional Development Curriculum for NIH Faculty
      • Senior Advisors for Faculty Development
    • Policies and Recruitment Processes
      • 5-Year / 8-Year Duration Rule
      • Addendum to On-Site Research Collaborators (RC) Policies: On-Site RC Conducting Human Subjects Research at NIH
      • Clarification on Searches for Scientific Director and Clinical Director
      • Departing Staff Request to Remove Copies of NIH Records
      • Extension Exceptions for Non-FTE Trainees for COVID-19
      • Fair Review Principles for Nominations of Staff Scientists for Associate Scientist and Senior Associate Scientist Titles
      • Guide for Avoiding Undue Foreign Interference with IRP Research
      • Guidelines for Parental/Family Excused Absence for IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows
      • Mandated Training for Scientific Staff Working in NIH Facilities
      • Policy for a Letter of Agreement for Staff Scientists
      • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Postbaccalaureate Fellows
      • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Postdoctoral Fellows
      • Policy for Reassignment or Early Termination of Awards to Predoctoral Fellows
      • Policy for Use of Contract Workers to Support Scientific Functions in the IRP
      • Policy on Use of English for Official Scientific Communication in NIH Laboratories and Branches
      • Postdoctoral Fellows (IRTA/CRTA/VF) Temporary Exceptional Extensions Policy
      • Roles of Lab and Branch Chiefs (or Equivalent)
      • Telework Policies for IRTA/CRTA and Visiting Fellows
      • Working with Displaced Title 42 Staff Scientists/Clinicians
    • Quality-of-Life Features
    • Sabbaticals
      • NIAAA Sabbatical Program
      • NEI Sabbatical Program
      • NICHD Sabbatical Program
      • PHS Foreign Work / Study Program Policy
    • Opportunities for Short Assignments / Details at the NIH
  • Tenure in the NIH Intramural Research Program
    • Tenure-Track Overview
    • Search & Selection
      • Search Process for Senior Investigators, Tenure-Track Investigators, Senior Clinicians and Senior Scientists
    • Additional Tenure-Track Policies
    • Resources
    • Policy on IC Tenure Review Committees
    • Tenure Overview
    • Search & Selection
    • Criteria for Tenure at the NIH
    • De-Tenuring Process
  • Awards, Fellowships, & Grant Opportunities
    • The Director’s Challenge Innovation Award Program
      • 2020 Director’s Challenge Awards
      • 2022 Director’s Challenge Awards
      • 2024 Director’s Challenge Awards
    • Early Career (Bridge) Awards Open to IRP Scientists
    • Eligibility of Intramural Investigators for NIH Common Fund Awards
    • K99/R00 Grant Award Information
      • Application Approval Process and Additional Information
      • K99/R00 Environment and Institutional Commitment Statement
      • Update from Scientific Directors
    • NIAID Support of Intramural Biodefense Research from ICs Other Than NIAID
  • Ethical Conduct
    • Research Misconduct
      • Anonymous Reporting of Research Misconduct Concerns
      • Taraswi Banerjee, Ph.D.
      • Alfredo R Sancho, Ph.D., M.P.H.
    • Guidelines on Conduct of Research
    • Research Ethics
      • NIH Policies
        • Intramural / Extramural Collaborations
          • NIH Staff Involvement on Extramural Awards - Cooperative Agreements
            • Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the Clinical Center (U01)
            • NIH Bench-to-Bedside Program
          • Activities with Outside Organizations
        • NIH Human Biospecimen Program
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • List of Biospecimen Liaisons
        • Investigation of Allegations of Research Misconduct
      • NIH Guidelines
    • Authorship Guidelines and Resources
      • Authorship Resources
      • NIH IRP Authorship Conflict Resolution Process
    • Special Research Considerations
      • Dual-Use Research
      • Policy on the Ordering or Provision of Synthetic Nucleic Acids in the IRP
      • Human Stem Cell Use
        • Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESCs) Use
        • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Use
        • Human Embryo Research and Cloning Prohibitions
      • Policies & Procedures for Human Fetal Tissue Research
    • Responsible Conduct of Research Training
      • Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research - Postdoc IRTA, CRTA, VF, Research Associates
        • Reproducibility Training
        • Introduction to “My Laboratory”
      • Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research - Postbacs and GPP Students
      • Resources for Training Directors
      • Annual Review of Ethics (Case Studies)
        • Research Cases for Use by the NIH Community
          • 2021 Ethics Case Facilitator Training
    • Government Ethics
      • Guidelines for Non-FTEs (Trainees) for NIH-Related Activities, Outside Activities, and Awards
    • Bioethics
  • Mentoring & Training
    • Guide to Training and Mentoring
    • Guidelines for Mentors at NIH
    • Guidelines for Trainees at NIH
    • Guidelines for Annual Progress Review of Trainees
    • Scientific Director Policy Updates for Mentors and Trainees
    • Goals for Enhanced Mentoring in the IRP
    • FelCom Mentoring Committee
    • Mentoring Cases for Discussions
  • Submitting Research Publications
    • PubMed Central (PMC) Deposition Requirements
    • Intramural Directions for Submitting to PubMed Central via NIHMS
    • NIH Publishing Agreement Forms
      • Procedures for Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
    • Publication and Abstract Clearance
  • Intramural Research Communications & Resources
    • Annual Reports and Bibliographies
  • Email
  • Print
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Main navigation

  • About OIR
    • OIR Leadership & Staff
    • DDIR Innovation Awards
    • Long-Term IRP Planning
    • OIR Offices
  • Sourcebook
    • Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors
    • Committees Advisory to the DDIR
    • Processes for Reviewing NIH Intramural Science
    • Intramural Program Oversight
    • Intramural Administrative Management Council
    • Personnel
    • Tenure in the NIH Intramural Research Program
    • Awards, Fellowships, & Grant Opportunities
    • Ethical Conduct
    • Mentoring & Training
    • Submitting Research Publications
    • Intramural Research Communications & Resources
  • Lectures & Events
    • WALS
    • NIH Research Festival
  • SIGs
    • SIGs by Name
    • SIGs by Scientific Focus Area
  • IRP Website
    • A premier environment where creative scientists conduct fundamental research for the betterment of human health – we are the IRP
    • Visit Website
  • The NIH Catalyst
    • A publication for and about the NIH intramural research community
    • Visit Website
  • NIDB
    • The NIH Intramural Database collects and disseminates information about research being performed in the Intramural Programs
    • Visit Website
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • National Institutes of Health
  • USA.gov

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