Outstanding Resident Award Program (ORAP)

The National Institute of Mental Health proudly announces
the 2026 call for nominations and applications.

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 Residency for consideration.

There are two COMBINED steps in the ORAP application process:

The Training Director of a Psychiatry Residency program must send an email to ORAP contact, Dr. Lisa Catapano, stating their intention to nominate a resident. (Training Directors may nominate only one resident per program.)

AND

All application materials must be submitted through the application website by the nominee by the deadline of April 15, 2026.

Nominations and applications will be accepted from March 9 – April 15, 2026.

The application packet should include:

• Training Director nomination letter  describing the qualifications of the nominee including (i) previous and current research training and productivity, (ii) personal characteristics that set them apart, (iii) a description of clinical abilities and (iv) other significant accomplishments.
• The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae
• A brief (one page or less) description by the nominee of his/her research interests and plans for a career as a physician-scientist.

Winners of the award will be invited to participate in an 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 an 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 Catapano at (771-474-3883) or Ayah Said at (301-827-4440).