Onboard and settle in

Arriving at the NIH will be both busy and exciting. Be sure to connect with your Principal Investigator (PI) or main NIH contact to know when and where to arrive on your first day. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - your new NIH colleagues are willing to help. Give yourself grace as you make the transition to the NIH, as new systems can be overwhelming.

You will meet with your Administrative Officer (AO) to complete the required on-boarding paperwork and they will likely help you get started with health insurance, badging, Transhare, your NIH email, and your computer.

Your on-boarding paperwork will list your annual stipend; check that the stipend matches the current stipend tables which are adjusted each May. If your stipend is lower than what is indicated on the current stipend tables, ask your AO to make an adjustment. Please reach out to OITE if you have questions about your stipend and we will help confirm that it was set correctly.

The AO or lab manager in your research group will provide information on how to gain access to your NIH email address and whether you will be given an NIH laptop or desktop computer. This will take several days and can take longer, especially for Visiting Fellows who have a delayed on-boarding process. Continue to consult your AO and your research group to obtain access to your email, computers, research spaces, and other systems.

You may be able to request a PIV Card Waiver so that you will be able to use NIH electronic equipment while you are waiting for your official badge. The procedure for approval varies among ICs (Institute or Center) - talk to your AO.

The first day will be filled with meeting new colleagues and finding your way around. Check with your PI, AO, or other contacts in your research group to be sure you know when to arrive and where to meet them on your first day. Some buildings have secure entrances, and someone may need to meet you to access the building. Integrating into your group will take time; we recommend that you review the Building relationships with mentors page.

All postbacs, predocs, postdocs, and full-time master's level academic interns must attend OITE orientation before on-boarding and reporting to the research group. Your AO will notify you of the date of OITE orientation and you will receive an invitation directly from us. Please find a quiet place to join and make sure that you have access to a computer with a camera. Once you attend OITE orientation, you may report to your research group. Your IC may also have trainee orientation, or require you to check in and meet with you as well. Check with your IC training director.

The OITE hosts listservs to share official information with all postdocs, graduate students, postbacs, and summer interns at NIH. Information in these messages will connect you to resources and community. The messages will come from a sender entitled ‘List OITE-[your training group].’ If you are not receiving messages, follow the instructions on our OITE listserv page to find and join your group.

We are here to support you, so reach out if you have questions or can’t find what you need. Welcome to our community - we wish you success in your career, professional, and research endeavors!

Reach out to us at [email protected] with questions.

Reach out to us with questions at [email protected].

This page was last reviewed on March 24, 2026.