The Sponsor(s) Commitment is a 6-page document submitted by your sponsor (and each co-sponsor, if applicable) as a single PDF with all statements appended together. It is distinct from your own Training Activities and Timeline but should be tightly coordinated with it — the sponsor’s framing of your training needs, goals, and environment should reinforce what you have written, not contradict or simply repeat it.
The statement covers five areas: the sponsor’s mentoring approach, their track record of mentoring, their specific commitment to this candidate, the research training environment, and their assessment of the candidate’s potential.
Review Criteria (NRSA)
See the full NRSA Review Criteria for context. The criteria most relevant to this section are:
Criterion 1: Candidate’s Goals, Preparedness and Potential
- Discuss the candidate’s previous educational, scientific and professional experience in terms of how it prepares the candidate for the proposed research training plan. Consider the context, for example, the candidate’s stage of training and the opportunities available.
- Assess whether the candidate and sponsor statements as well as the referee letters provide convincing evidence that the candidate possesses qualities (such as scientific understanding, creativity, curiosity, resourcefulness and drive) that will improve the likelihood of a successful research training outcome.
Criterion 2: Research Training Plan
- Consider whether the sponsor(s), scientific environment, facilities and resources are adequate and appropriate for the proposed research training plan.
Criterion 3: Commitment to Candidate, Mentoring and Training Environment
- Assess whether the sponsor(s) presents a strong mentoring plan appropriate to the needs and goals of the candidate.
- Evaluate the extent to which the sponsor(s) and organizational commitment is appropriate, sufficient and in alignment with the candidate’s research training plan.
- Consider whether the level of the commitment provided will contribute to the successful completion of the proposed plan and allow the candidate to advance to a productive career in the biomedical research workforce.
- (Clinical trials only) If proposed, will the clinical trial experience contribute to the proposed project and/or the candidate’s research training?
Required Sections
Based on the Forms-I instructions (see also G.430 PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form), the Sponsor(s) Commitment must include the following five sections:
A. Mentoring Approach and Candidate Mentoring Plan
Describe your mentoring approach and the specific mentoring plan for this candidate to support their career advancement. The plan must be tailored to the candidate’s overall training goals — going beyond simply providing access to a research environment. Effective mentoring to address includes:
- Enhancing scientific understanding
- Promoting professional development
- Maintaining regular communication and aligning expectations
- Fostering the candidate’s independence as a researcher
B. Prior Commitment to Training and Mentoring
Demonstrate your track record of training and mentoring. Provide narrative examples from 2–5 recent trainees at the same career level as the candidate, describing the individualized training and mentoring you provided and the impact on each trainee’s scientific, educational, or career development. A simple list of former trainees and outcomes is not sufficient. Early-career sponsors may include examples from informal mentoring during their own training.
C. Commitment to the Candidate’s Research Training Plan
Confirm your specific commitment to this candidate. Include:
- The frequency, duration, and nature of meetings with the candidate throughout the training period
- How many other trainees and scientists you will be supervising during the award period, to demonstrate the candidate will receive consistent, individualized attention
If co-sponsors are proposed, each must describe their role and how they will coordinate their mentoring efforts.
D. Research Training Environment
Describe how the research environment meets this candidate’s training needs. Coordinate with (but do not duplicate) the Facilities and Environment section. Include:
- How the environment supports the candidate’s development and career goals
- Organizational facilities, equipment, and infrastructure
- Relevant training programs, seminars, journal clubs, and professional development opportunities
- Opportunities for publication and presentation of research findings
E. Candidate’s Potential
Provide your assessment of the candidate’s potential for a productive research career. Include:
- Specific examples of personal characteristics (skills, traits, attitudes) that support career advancement
- Areas where the candidate needs further development, and how the training plan addresses them
- An overall assessment of the candidate’s preparedness and likelihood of achieving their training goals
(Clinical trials only) If the candidate will gain experience in a clinical trial as part of their training, document your leadership of that trial and your ability to guide the candidate through the experience.
Letters of Support and Reference
In addition to the Sponsor(s) Commitment, you will need both Letters of Support and Letters of Reference — these are distinct documents with different submission processes. See the Supporting Documents page for full guidance on each.