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FAES Housing for NIH Trainees

FAES Housing helps you focus on what's important: Your NIH Research!

FAES Housing provides private, single occupancy bedrooms close to the NIH main campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Houses may be co-occupied by up to 5 visiting NIH trainees. FAES Housing offers a safe and supportive environment to collaborate with peers and enhance your professional and personal development during your NIH assignment.

Private, single occupant bedrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and monthly payment amounts. You will be asked on the housing application to indicate your preference from the following list of payment tiers:

  • Tier 1: Large bedroom with Queen Size Bed, Private Bathroom, Individual Refrigerator, Pantry, and Entry Cubby
  • Tier 2: Large bedroom with Queen Size Bed and Private Bathroom 
  • Tier 3: Large bedroom with Queen Size Bed and Shared Bathroom
  • Tier 4: Medium bedroom with Twin Size Bed and Shared Bathroom
  • Tier 5: Small bedroom with Twin Size Bed and Shared Bathroom

Please note: Tier designations reflect physical characteristics of the residential unit and may be adjusted. For example, a Tier 2 room may have a twin size bed with a private bathroom, etc.

Click Here to Apply for FAES Housing

Clicking the link above will open a web page that lists FAES Housing units coming available in the near future. If you do not see an available property that meets your needs, we encourage you to fill out an application without selecting a specific property. Circumstances change often, and FAES Housing maintains a waitlist with a good deal of success placing waitlisted applicants in FAES Housing units that became available unexpectedly. We’ll be in touch about openings as soon as they occur. You may also contact us anytime to change your application parameters or inquire about the status of your application. 

FAES does not discriminate against housing applicants based on race, sex, disability, age, or any other protected class.  

 

CONTACT FAES HOUSING

Business Hours

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

FAES Housing Staff

FAES Property Program Manager

Ashley Watkins (Burns): ashley.watkins@nih.gov

240-305-6894

Please do not call or text outside of business hours except in the case of emergency. 

*In case of fire or safety emergency, call 911 first, then the FAES Property Program Manager (24/7)

FAES Property Program Supervisor

Jacob Koehler

FAES Property Support Coordinator 

Michele Kelly 

FAES Housing Program Management

Jim Kuhlman: james.kuhlman@nih.gov

For general questions, conerncens, or requests, including maintenance & supply requests, please email ​housing@faes.org

Why choose FAES Housing?

Affordable & Flexible Stays

It's challenging to find affordable housing in the high-rent neighborhoods surrounding NIH. FAES's non-profit mission prioritizes keeping housing affordable for NIH visiting trainees by facilitating single-occupant bedrooms in co-occupied housing. FAES will work with you to find vacancies that meet your needs and requirements.

Fully Furnished

FAES provides furnishings for your private bedroom that include a bed, dresser, desk, chair, and 2 lamps; furnished common area living/dining rooms; fully equipped kitchens and baths; laundry facilities; and more.

Worry-Free Maintenance

FAES manages several routine chores so you don’t have to. Regularly provided services include housecleaning, lawn care, snow removal, pest control, and facilities maintenance.

Easy Online Process

At FAES, we know that NIH trainees come from all over the world. Our online tools make it easy to apply for housing and enter into occupancy agreements from anywhere, allowing you to plan your arrival at NIH.

Utilities, Internet, & Basic Supplies Included

Your FAES monthly occupancy fee covers gas, electricity, water, and high speed, wireless internet. FAES also provides basic supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning products.

Networking 

FAES Housing provides unique opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with like-minded NIH trainees and emerging scientists that co-occupy FAES housing with you.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Am I eligible for FAES Housing? 

All of the following represent required elements for FAES Housing eligibility:

  1. You must be enrolled as a participant in an official NIH Fellowship or scholarship program. You will need a copy of your Fellowship Program Invitation in order to complete the FAES Housing application. Please note that applicants classified as federal employees or federal contractors are not eligible for FAES Housing.
  2. You must have an NIH badge/ID.
  3. First month’s occupancy fee and any pro-rated payments must be paid in full before you move in.
What are the procedures for moving into FAES Housing?
  • Once an applicant has been approved for FAES Housing, they will receive a room assignment and an occupancy agreement for a specified time period. FAES occupants must submit their signed agreements and submit any payment due prior to move-in.
  • FAES Housing occupants may move into their assigned residence beginning on the first day of their occupancy agreement time period.
  • New occupants will be instructed to access their key from a lockbox attached to the assigned home. During business hours, new occupants may arrange to meet with FAES Housing staff upon arrival at the residence. All current occupants will be informed when new occupants are due to arrive and encouraged to welcome them into their shared house.
  • All occupants must have a brief Zoom meeting with FAES Housing staff within one week of moving into their room.
  • Further instructions for move-in will be provided during the move-in process.
What should I bring with me to FAES Housing?

Pack your belongings for ease and convenience. There is no storage available in FAES Housing, so items should be packed in cardboard boxes that can be recycled, or in soft, foldable luggage that can be easily stored in a closet or under a bed.

What to Bring:

  • Sheets and bedding that fit the assigned unit’s bed dimensions
  • Pillows and towels
  • Container to carry toiletries back and forth to bathroom and a bath robe
  • Stackable crates and underbed organizers
  • Office supplies, including a UL-approved outlet strip with breaker switch (extension cords are prohibited)
  • Laundry detergent, personal items such as soap and shampoo
  • A fan
  • A bike - FAES Housing residences are typically 1-2 miles from the NIH entrance

What NOT to Bring:

  • Mattress protector, shower curtain, bath mats, basic cleaning supplies and equipment such as broom or vacuum cleaner - these will be furnished by FAES
  • Excessive kitchen items - FAES provides kitchens equipped with microwave oven, toaster, coffee maker, plates and drinkware, pots and pans, flatware, etc. 
  • Extension cords
  • Spider lamps, or any lamp that requires a bulb greater than 150 watts
  • Candles, incense burners
  • Weapons and firearms
  • Extra furniture (for space reasons, and to avoid duplication with items already provided in your residence)
Can I change to a different room? 
  • Occupants may change rooms based on availability and at the sole discretion and approval of FAES. A $100 room change fee will apply.

Can I decorate my room? Occupant rooms must be in the same condition upon departure as they were upon arrival. The following is a brief list of guidelines. Please refer to your occupancy agreement for a more complete description of decorating and other policies.

  • Pictures, posters, and other materials must be hung from picture moldings or tack strips only. Nails, tacks, screws, tape, glue, and other adhesives may not be used on walls, ceilings, wardrobes, woodwork, doors, or furniture.
  • Decorative strands of lights are permitted with an UL label or listing, shall be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and shall not be excessive.
  • Alterations (including but not limited to painting) to a room or common area or to any FAES property within a room or common area is prohibited.
  • Tapestries, cloths/sheets, plastic signs, and flags may not be hung in occupant rooms.
  • No more than ten percent (10%) of the wall may be covered by decorations in compliance with fire code.
  • Windows in all occupant rooms come already equipped with drapes, shades, or blinds. Occupants may not hang their own window treatments.
What are the procedures for moving out of FAES Housing?
  • Please notify FAES Housing staff as soon as you have finalized the date and time of your departure, or to request an extension of your expiring occupancy agreement. The minimum notice required for both circumstances is 28 calendar days prior to end of your current occupancy agreement.
  • Upon moving out of FAES Housing, occupants have the option to be present for their move-out inspection. If the occupant does not wish to be present for the move-out inspection, then FAES will contact them if any damages are found.
  • Occupants are responsible for any damages to their assigned room and will be charged for damage, missing furniture and items, as well as uncleaned units.
  • Further details on move-out procedures will be provided to all occupants or may be obtained by contacting us.
What are the FAES Housing Community Standards?

Occupants’ behavior should be considerate and respectful of other community members and the physical space. We encourage debate and discourse in the spirit of understanding and promote this freedom and responsibility. This understanding and responsibility includes respecting and being sensitive to the rights of others while not condoning messages or actions that promote hatred, intolerance, or violence.

Each occupant is expected to:

  • Respect the rights of others.
  • Respect the property of individuals, groups, and FAES.
  • Refrain from activities that interfere with the regular operation of FAES Housing communities.
  • Comply with reasonable requests from FAES Housing staff and representatives acting in the capacity of their positions.

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