Bioengineering Research, Innovation and Technology Education (BRITE) Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The BRITE Program funds colleges to support freshmen and sophomores with bioengineering education, mentoring, and research experiences, aiming to inspire future careers in biomedical fields.
Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Due Dates: May 11, 2026 (Estimated, Forecasted)
Funding Amounts: Award ceiling and total program funding not yet specified; typical R25 awards support multi-year educational programs.
Summary: Supports undergraduate programs to foster early interest and training in bioengineering, biomedical imaging, and related STEM fields through integrated educational and research activities.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity; details may change upon release of the full NOFO.
Description
The Bioengineering Research, Innovation and Technology Education (BRITE) Program aims to encourage and support undergraduate freshmen and sophomores in pursuing further studies and careers in bioengineering, biomedical imaging, or other STEM fields relevant to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) mission. The program funds integrated educational activities that include:
- A summer bridge program for incoming freshmen.
- Academic-year educational activities during the freshman and sophomore years.
- Summer research experiences.
The goal is to expose students early to bioengineering and biomedical imaging, providing them with didactic instruction, experiential learning, mentoring, and career development opportunities. Student participants receive support for the first two years of their undergraduate education. The BRITE program is specifically intended for baccalaureate degree-granting institutions with modest levels of NIH research funding, aiming to build capacity for rigorous bioengineering training and to inspire future leaders in health-related research.
