AFP - About the Program

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NIH developed a new strategic recruitment program using the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) for professional administrative careers called the Administrative Fellows Program (AFP). Through this program, NIH is able to recruit fellows who will grow into a permanent career through a 2 year program of training and on-the-job experience. NIH is reaching out to colleges and universities to bring in bright, motivated individuals to help us reach our resource goals for the future.

This unique opportunity will allow you to develop skills through training, rotational assignments and mentoring. Professional development is an integral part of the Administrative Program. Not only will you be learning about your career track, you will also be developing skills in leadership and management. Your training will involve creating an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that will outline your developmental activities for the desired skills/competencies along with your short term and long term goals. You will select an NIH mentor that will assist you in selecting rotational assignments, advise and counsel regarding career goals, share experiences and offer insights, and guide you to function successfully within NIH.

An Administrative Fellowship is more than a job; it’s and opportunity to leverage your skills to improve the health of the Nation and the world.

Life as an AFP

Kim Belk, NIAID, Grants Management

I joined NIH in July of 2007 after completing my Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Policy.

Previous to working on my masters, I had a successful career in restaurant and bar management. In 2001, I decided to take a two year sabbatical and travel in South and South East Asia. In traveling I met several individuals working in development and health related fields. This led me to choose a new career in the public sector. I received a degree in economic and community development with a focus on international issues.

I applied to the NIH intern program as it was an opportunity to combine my interest in public sector work and development through the funding of research in diseases that inhibit development internationally. I specifically chose NIAID as this institute funds research in over 95 countries and focus on the major diseases that effect poverty in the developing world such as HIV/AIDS and malaria.

I chose the AFP program because of the opportunities it presented. As the NIH faces a workforce nearing retirement, the AFP offers you the chance to move up quickly and trains you to be the future leaders of the NIH. I have been given numerous training opportunities and have participated in projects and committees thus increasing my skills and abilities. I was chosen to go on a site visit to Ghana in September were I participated in presentations to facilitate grantees in the grants process.

Overall the AFP and my job track of grants management presents me with long term opportunities to grow with the NIH and participate in a meaningful mission that includes reducing the burdens of illness and disability.

Amy Baker, NCI, Grants Management Specialist

I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Penn State University and earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Millersville University.

When I joined the NIH, I had just completed a seven-year teaching career as an instructor for students with varying degrees of special needs. During a seven-year teaching career, I created two unique educational programs for both elementary and high school-aged students. Accomplishments include the transition of students from school-to-work and the provision of modified curriculum to assist children who have learning difficulties. I also created a classroom ‘business,’ whereby students created and sold baked goods and coffee to staff and students. I found my work rewarding; however, I had the desire to find a more suitable work-life balance for my family. Seeking an equally satisfying career, I discovered the (then) brand-new Administrative Fellows Program. I quickly made a decision to pursue this unique and exciting opportunity. I knew my background was unique to a scientific community such as the NIH. However, I knew that my unique talents could be put to good use as a multitasking administrator.

In June 2007, I became a Grants Management Specialist Fellow for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the NIH. Specifically, I am a specialist for the Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention section of the Office of Grants Administration within NCI. My workload includes direct involvement in business related activities in negotiating, awarding, post-award monitoring, and all other administration of grants and cooperative agreements. Additionally, I work with varying mechanisms and institutions within an assigned portfolio of grants. Providing strong customer service is highly important to my role as a grants specialist. As an administrator of grants that are funded with the intention of eliminating disease, I have found my work within the NIH to be incredibly rewarding. I hope to continue functioning as an administrator of grants, assisting in furthering the scientific mission of the NIH.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working out, reading, and scrapbooking.

Lauren Toussaint, NIGMS, Grants Management Specialist

I began working for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in June 2007 after completing my Master of Public Health degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. I received my bachelors in Biology and minors in Sociology and French in 2005. While I worked on my master’s, I worked as a marketing assistant at the University Health Center developing and implementing health education campaigns for University of Maryland students.

After completion of my graduate studies, I wanted to utilize my newly obtain expertise and to be able to continue to grow into a career through experiential training. I applied for the Administrative Fellows Program in Spring 2007

As a current Administrative Fellow, I am currently working as a Grants Management Specialist at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). At NIGMS, I use my problem solving and project management skills while learning about the intricate policies and procedures involved in grant-making and inter-agency agreements. Since I have started at NIH, I have been given the opportunity to network with many different people from administrative staff, who ensures the organization runs smoothly, to the doctors who are discovering new ways to keep us healthy. The AFP program has also given me opportunities to grow and develop my leadership skills with various training offered. In the future, I hope to continue working in the public sector to help improve the health of the Nation.