TRIAD TRAINING

FAQs and Resources

An NIH T32 Institutional Training Grant is a funding mechanism from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports institutions in providing structured research training for predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars. These programs offer mentored research experiences, coursework, and professional development within a collaborative training environment, preparing trainees for independent careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. 

While we welcome all qualified individuals, please note that this training program is only open to United States citizens and permanent residents.

Predoctoral scholars who have successfully completed their qualifying exams are eligible. Typically, applicants are enrolled in the University of Kentucky's Integrated Biomedical Sciences graduate program or the MD/PhD program. 

Qualified predoc applicants from other programs can inquire about TRIAD by emailing our research administrative assistant, Heather Nichols. 

Postdoctoral applicants should have completed a PhD in a relevant field. Given the wide range of risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, this includes most areas within the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Applicants who have successfully defended their dissertation prior to the employment start date, but have not yet had their degree formally conferred, are also eligible. 

Our program welcomes all eligible applicants and will consider each applicant’s educational background, life experiences, and professional qualifications. The University of Kentucky and its programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, disability, or age. 

Our training program addresses the risk factors that impact Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and spans multiple disciplines. Whether behavioral, biological, social, or medical, no single factor operates in isolation, so understanding — and ultimately preventing— Alzheimer’s disease requires an interdisciplinary approach. Visit our "Why AD Research" page to learn about the many risk factors. 

If you’re interested in AD research and unsure about how your field relates, we encourage you to email us to inquire.

You may still be eligible if you are enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Kentucky.

Yes. However, the number of years spent as a qualified post-doctoral trainee may be limited depending on your career stage. Contact us for further information by emailing our research administrative assistant, Heather Nichols.

Predoc scholars from other programs may inquire about TRIAD and other potential training opportunities by emailing our research administrative assistant, Heather Nichols. 

We are accepting applications until Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern. You may apply at this link. 

You may apply at this link no later than Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern. You will need to upload your (1) cover letter, (2) research proposal, and (3) resume, CV, or biosketch as PDFs, each 10MB or less, when you fill out the application form. Each document should be titled as your LastName_CoverLetter.pdf, LastName_Proposal, and LastName_Resume.pdf.

We recommend that postdocs explain in their cover letter how their degree or training background relates to research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, if it’s not readily apparent from their resume.

Your research proposal should include four sections:

1. Research Plan: up to three pages, excluding references and figures.
2. Career Goals Summary: one page on how the research project relates to the applicant's career goals and to advancing the field of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and dementia risk factors. 
3. Mentor Biosketch.
4. Mentor Letter of Support.

We recommend two letters of recommendation in addition to your mentor's letter of support. You may include them in the research proposal document or send them separately by email to our research administrative assistant, Heather Nichols. 

In order to submit your research proposal, you will need a mentor. This process can take some time and should be planned for in advance of the application period. For scholars seeking a mentor, we recommend submitting your (1) cover letter and (2) resume, CV, or biosketch through our Request a Mentor form at any time. 

The cover letter should explain your primary areas of interest and list any mentors you may have in mind. If your information looks promising, we will reach out to you to help match you with a mentor. 

Your initial application and research proposal should outline a two-year research project. Appointments are made one year at a time, with a formal review to assess progress. Reappointment for a second year is contingent on approval from both the program director and your mentor, based on your performance and project advancement.  

Applicants will be notified within two weeks after the application deadline whether their application has been selected for an in-depth review. 

The entire review process takes approximately four to six weeks. Applicants will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline whether their submission has been selected for an in-depth review. 

For those applicants with a suitable proposal, a panel of experts will review, score, and rank each submission, and then notify each candidate. 

All interviews will be conducted via online conferencing. Candidates do not need to travel to Lexington until they are selected as program participants. 

While there are eight trainee positions in the TRIAD program, four each for predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars, the number of openings may vary from year to year, depending on each trainee’s term of employment. Visit our Program Details page for the status of the request for applications, and Join Our List to receive notifications. 

Although there is some flexibility in the start date, we typically expect trainees to begin the program within 30 to 60 days of receiving notification that they have been selected.

Trainees can expect a 30 to 60-day notice before they need to be on-site at the University of Kentucky. Our team will work closely with each trainee to accommodate schedules as much as possible.

We have over 30 faculty members dedicated to mentoring TRIAD participants. View our Faculty Mentors page for bios and areas of specialty. 

A strong trainee-mentor match is grounded in shared research interests, compatible working styles, and the right project fit. Factors such as available resources, timing, and needed skill sets also matter. With TRIAD, matches are made through a formal, permission-based process, with the team working closely with scholars to ensure a supportive and effective partnership. 

We encourage potential trainees to contact potential mentors and discuss project specifics, as this process can take some time.

Yes, it is possible, provided the faculty member’s research area of interest is related to age-related dementia, and at the University of Kentucky. 

Yes. We have mechanisms for appointing a secondary mentor from the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging without the need to change labs. 

For scholars seeking a mentor, we recommend submitting your (1) cover letter and (2) resume, CV, or biosketch through our Request a Mentor form at any time. The cover letter should explain your primary areas of interest and list potential mentors. If your information looks promising, we will reach out to work with you to find a mentor. 

The position is as a full-time University of Kentucky employee, salaried in accordance with NIH payment standards for T32 programs. Benefits include healthcare, dental, vision, and childcare assistance, per NIH guidelines. Relocation support will be provided and determined on a case-by-case basis. The university will conduct a pre-employment screening before employment can begin.

This position is a research education experience in which you will be considered a full-time university employee with benefits and will undergo regular performance evaluations. 

In addition to salary and benefits, trainees will be provided funding for relocation assistance, conference attendance,  and tuition (if needed). 

Yes, we have relocation assistance available for those relocating from outside Lexington. The amount of support will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

As a TRIAD participant and university employee, you will be responsible for locating your own housing. 

Trainees work full-time with their mentor and research team. The nature and scope of this work depend on the project. In addition, trainees will attend seminars and workshops and engage in other professional development activities.

The program includes some required coursework, focused on responsible conduct of research and biomedical ethics. You also have the option to take additional courses you believe might benefit your professional development, which are subject to program director approval.  

Yes, there will be a structured orientation process for all new participants to help them become familiar with the center and the university. 

You may email our administrative research assistant, Heather Nichols.

The goal of our program is to build a cohesive team that guides and nurtures our participants, helping them feel challenged, confident, and successful. We encourage our scholars to engage with each other, with trainees in other programs, and with students at different degree levels. 

The University of Kentucky has a wide range of student organizations at the Gatton Student Center and a postdoctoral center, PRISM, that can help new participants integrate into campus life.