Skip to main content

Transforming the understanding
and treatment of mental illnesses.

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

Background image

Outstanding Resident Award Program (ORAP)

The National Institute of Mental Health proudly announces
2024 call for nominations and applications.

Nominations and applications will be accepted from
March 6 – April 19, 2024.

The NIMH Outstanding Resident Award Program (ORAP) was introduced to the psychiatry residency training community over 30 years ago to recognize residents with outstanding research and academic potential. The NIMH Intramural Research Program (IRP) has sponsored ORAP since its inception in 1988.

This announcement is for Program Directors of Psychiatry Residency Programs to nominate ONE current PGY-II Resident for consideration.

There are two COMBINED steps in the ORAP process:

The Training Director of a Psychiatry Residency program must send an email to ORAP contact, Dr. Lisa Cullins (lisa.cullins@nih.gov), stating their intention to nominate a resident AND all application materials must be submitted through the application website by the nominee by the deadline of April 19, 2024.

Nominations and applications will be accepted from March 6 – April 19, 2024.

The application packet should include:

  • Training Director nomination letter for ONE PGY-II psychiatry resident describing the qualifications of the nominee including previous and current research training and productivity, personal characteristics that set them apart, a description of clinical abilities and other significant accomplishments.
  • The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae
  • A brief description by the nominee of his/her research interests and plans for a career as a physician-scientist.

Winners of the award will be announced in June 2024 and be invited to
participate in a two-day award program in the fall.

The ORAP Award includes:

  • A framed certificate honoring selection as an NIMH Outstanding Resident Award recipient.
  • An invitation to participate in a two-day award program where residents meet with NIMH leadership, investigators and clinical fellows to learn about the unique resources and research conducted in the IRP.
  • An opportunity to present a Three Minute Talk about their own research.

We appreciate your assistance in identifying the next generation of researchers in psychiatry. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Lisa Cullins at 301-827-6871 or Ayah Said at 301-827-4440.