National Institute of General Medical Sciences Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program (T32)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions developing predoctoral biomedical research training programs. Eligible applicants include universities, colleges, HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and other domestic research institutions. Programs must include didactic coursework, hands-on research, and career development components to prepare PhD students for biomedical research careers.
The grant supports graduate training, not individual student awards. Institutions must demonstrate evidence-informed approaches to mentoring and training in biomedical sciences. Non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions are ineligible, though U.S.-based institutions can apply.
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Program description
The goal of the NIGMS Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program is to develop a pool of well-trained scientists available to address the Nations biomedical research agenda. Specifically, this funding opportunity announcement provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical graduate training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the biomedical research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- HBCU
- HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution)
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative (research and training plan)
- Biographical sketches of mentors/faculty
- Institutional commitment letters
- Letters of mentor commitment
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Resources/environment description
- Evaluation plan
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
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
-
$59,464,779
-
$57,271,194
-
$56,019,458
-
$54,912,096
-
$53,329,877
-
$52,858,544
-
$52,347,059
-
$52,026,661
-
$50,897,104
-
$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
Can individual graduate students apply for this grant?
No, this is an institutional training grant. Institutions apply to establish or expand predoctoral programs; trainees are selected by the institution.
What kinds of biomedical research fields are covered?
NIGMS supports basic biomedical sciences broadly, including cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and related disciplines. Applied or clinical training programs may have limited eligibility.
Are international institutions eligible?
No, non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions cannot apply. U.S.-based institutions with strong research missions are the primary eligible applicants.
What should the training program include?
Programs must include didactic coursework, research training, and structured career development activities. Mentoring quality and evidence-based approaches are important.
How long does a training program typically run?
T32 grants typically support 5-year projects, though exact duration may vary. Multi-year renewal is often possible.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your program around evidence-informed training models from the literature. Show familiarity with best practices in graduate mentoring.
- Describe mentoring infrastructure clearly. Strong faculty mentors, career advising, and professional development activities matter significantly.
- Explain how your program addresses the Nation's biomedical research workforce needs. Connect to emerging research areas or training gaps.
- Include letters of support from department leadership and mentor commitment statements. These demonstrate institutional buy-in.
- Design a realistic evaluation plan with clear trainee outcomes metrics. Track career placements and research productivity post-graduation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Focusing only on research without sufficient didactic, career development, or mentoring components. Applications that lack evidence-based training models or fail to describe mentoring infrastructure. Unclear connection between proposed training and addressing national biomedical research workforce gaps.
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