Apply to the 2026 NIH Navigation Cohort

The Society of Family Planning is now warmly inviting applications from members for the 2026 NIH Navigation Cohort.

Deadline to apply: June 10, 2026 at 8:59 pm PT / 11:59 pm ET

Read the program overview and apply now.

What is the NIH Navigation Cohort?

The NIH Navigation Cohort is a proposal development program for Society members actively developing R- or K-series applications on family planning topics focused in the US. The program’s goals are to support Society members in developing competitive applications and to strengthen the scientific exchange between family planning researchers and the NIH.

Why is the program important?

The NIH is the nation’s medical research agency and is a critical source of funding for health-related science, including family planning. However, family planning research has historically received a disproportionately small share of NIH investment, situated within a broader context of underinvestment in women’s health research.

Feedback from Society members has highlighted the need for support in navigating the NIH application process and for mentorship from family planning researchers who have successfully secured NIH funding.

Since its inception in 2020, the majority of cohort participants have submitted their proposals to the NIH, and many have had them funded or scored by reviewers. Further, cohort alumni have increased their engagement with the NIH by serving as study section reviewers.

Please contact ResearchProgramming@SocietyFP.org for more information about this program.

NIH-Funded Studies from NIH Navigation Cohort Participants

Developing and testing a smart phone based contraceptive use educational intervention for African immigrant women with low literacy
Kafuli Agbemenu, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, CTN-A

Generating evidence to improve same day etonogestrel implant insertion for emergency contraception
Lori Gawron, MD, MPH

Advancing novel survey tools to increase participation and improve sexual and reproductive health data quality
Heidi Moseson Lidow, PhD, MPH

Developing and testing a measure of sociocultural norms related to interpregnancy intervals in African immigrants in the US
Comfort Olorunsaiye, PhD, MPH

Telehealth and Reproductive Health Equity
Ushma Upadhyay, PhD, MPH