Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for biomedical research institutions in states and territories with limited research infrastructure. Eligible applicants include public and private universities, research institutions, and health professions schools. COBRE supports two phases: Expansion Phase (for emerging research centers) and Sustainability Phase (for maturing centers). The program funds research-enabling infrastructure and investigator development in priority research areas aligned with NIH strategic goals.
Geographic eligibility restricts awards to institutions in specified underserved regions. Research must focus on biomedical, behavioral, or clinical science topics. Institutions demonstrate institutional commitment through cost-sharing and governance structures. Multi-institutional collaborations are permitted and encouraged.
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Key dates
- Jun 18, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 1, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2027 Project start
- May 25, 2029 Application deadline in 1044 days
Program description
The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program supports biomedical research capacity building in states that have historically received low levels of NIH funding. The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support the expansion and sustainability of biomedical research centers in IDeA-eligible institutions. These centers will focus on building research capacity in broad scientific areas of strategic importance for the institutions.
The goal of COBRE-E is to expand research capacity by growing the institutional faculty base and supporting research projects and core facilities in the new area. The objective of COBRE-S is to sustain the infrastructure by continuing the growth of the faculty base and consolidating research cores. Applicants are expected to propose a sustainability plan during the COBRE-E Phase for implementation in the COBRE-S Phase.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- R24 COBRE Application (check NIH ASSIST for specific form requirements)
- Project Narrative describing research plan and infrastructure development
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Support Letter
- Letters of Support from collaborating institutions
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- DUNS and SAM registration proof
Program contact
- 👤 Federico Bernal, Ph.D.
- 📧 federico.bernal@nih.gov
- 📞 240-271-5059
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.859 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$59,464,779
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$57,271,194
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$56,019,458
-
$54,912,096
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$53,329,877
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$52,858,544
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$52,347,059
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$52,026,661
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$50,897,104
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$49,349,731
Top States by Funding
- ME 4 awards $143.3M
- MS 4 awards $135.1M
- NY 5 awards $131.6M
- CA 5 awards $129.3M
- RI 4 awards $126.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.859). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,085,929,426 | |
| 2025 | $3,092,472,727 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,093,422,000 |
FAQ
Which institutions can apply for COBRE?
Universities, research centers, and health professions schools in underserved states and territories. Your institution must be in a designated eligible region.
What research areas are funded?
Biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and translational science. Research must align with NIH strategic priorities and strengthen research capacity.
What is the difference between Expansion and Sustainability phases?
Expansion Phase supports newer research centers; Sustainability Phase supports centers progressing toward research competitiveness and independence.
How much funding is typical?
Awards vary but COBRE grants generally support multi-year, substantial infrastructure and personnel funding. Check the NIH FOA for specific budget ranges.
What is the application timeline?
COBRE typically has annual funding cycles. Check the official NIH announcement for exact deadlines and review timelines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate your institution's research gaps and institutional commitment through cost-sharing and administrative support.
- Develop a realistic research plan with measurable milestones for infrastructure development and investigator recruitment/retention.
- Build multi-institutional partnerships to strengthen research networks and broaden scientific scope.
- Align research focus with NIH priorities (e.g., precision medicine, health disparities, emerging infectious disease).
- Include detailed plans for mentoring junior investigators and building long-term research sustainability.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications lack adequate institutional commitment or under-estimate cost-sharing needs. Weak justification for why this grant is essential to institutional research development reduces competitiveness. Poor alignment between proposed research focus and institutional capacity or NIH priorities often leads to rejection.
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