Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: May 25, 2025 (New, Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | September 25, 2025 (New, Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | January 25, 2026 (New, Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | May 25, 2026 (New, Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | September 25, 2026 (New, Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
Funding Amounts: No budget cap; awards typically support stipends, tuition, and training expenses for 1–2 years per trainee; project period up to 5 years; indirect costs capped at 8% MTDC.
Summary: Supports institutional predoctoral training programs to develop a diverse pool of well-trained biomedical scientists through rigorous, evidence-informed graduate research training and mentoring.
Key Information: Updated March 2025: Applicants must review the latest NOFO and align applications with current agency priorities.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at NIH, funds institutional predoctoral training programs in the basic biomedical sciences (T32 mechanism). The program aims to develop a diverse pool of well-trained scientists prepared to address the nation’s biomedical research needs. Funded programs are expected to provide rigorous, evidence-informed research training and mentoring, incorporating didactic coursework, research experiences, and career development activities. The program encourages creative, transformative approaches to graduate training that keep pace with the evolving biomedical research landscape.
Trainees are typically supported for 1–2 years during the early stages of their graduate studies, with a strong emphasis on building technical, operational, and professional skills for a broad range of biomedical research careers. Programs must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and foster safe, supportive, and inclusive research environments.
Due Dates
- Upcoming Deadlines:
- May 25, 2025 (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
- September 25, 2025 (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
- January 25, 2026 (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
- May 25, 2026 (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
- September 25, 2026 (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
- All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
- The program uses NIH standard due dates for T32 applications.
- The opportunity expires September 26, 2026.
Funding Amount
- Budget: No specific budget cap; budgets must reflect actual needs.
- Project Period: Up to 5 years; renewable.
- Trainee Support:
- Stipends, tuition, and fees at NIH NRSA levels (updated annually).
- Training-related expenses (e.g., health insurance, supplies, travel).
- Up to $300 per trainee for travel to scientific meetings.
- Indirect Costs: 8% of modified total direct costs (MTDC), excluding tuition, equipment, and consortium costs over $25,000.
- Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.
Eligibility
- Eligible Organizations:
- Public and private institutions of higher education (U.S. only)
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- State, local, and tribal governments
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Faith-based and community-based organizations
- U.S. territories and possessions
- Ineligible: Foreign institutions and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations.
- Trainee Eligibility: U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents enrolled in a Ph.D.-granting program in the basic biomedical sciences.
- Applicant Limit: Only one training grant per scientific area per organization.
Application Process
- Application Mechanism: SF424 (R&R) using the T32 activity code.
- Submission Platforms: NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system.
- Required Registrations: SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, UEI.
- Key Application Components:
- Project Summary/Abstract (30 lines max)
- Program Plan (see Application Guide)
- Training Data Tables (see NIH Data Tables)
- Letters of Support (including a required institutional support letter)
- Participating Faculty Biosketches
- Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity
- Plans for instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research and Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility
- Budget Justification
- Review Criteria: Scientific merit, training environment, curriculum, career development, program oversight, organizational commitment, and trainee outcomes.
- Clinical Trials: Trainees may not lead independent clinical trials but may gain experience in mentor-led trials.
Additional Information
- Program Areas: Applications must be in one of 12 NIGMS-supported basic biomedical science areas. See NIGMS Predoctoral Training Areas.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Programs must have a robust plan to recruit and retain individuals from underrepresented groups.
- Safe and Supportive Environment: Programs must demonstrate policies and practices that ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive training environment.
- Renewals/Resubmissions: Renewal applications are only allowed for programs previously funded under specific NIGMS announcements. Resubmissions are only allowed for renewal applications.
- Budget Guidance: See NRSA stipend and expense levels.
- Recent Updates: As of March 2025, applicants must review the updated NOFO and ensure alignment with current NIGMS priorities.
External Links
Contact Information