National Research Service Award in Primary Care Medicine

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant
CFDA 93.186 Active Grant

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$5.8M FY2026
$9.7M
FY24
$9.6M
FY25
$5.8M
FY26*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 93.186 (USAspending.gov).

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 In academic year 2023-2024, the most recent year with available data, there were 116 trainees and 43 graduates nationally in the NRSA program, representing disciplines from behavioral health, medicine, nursing, and public health. Of the 25 graduates with follow-data available, 10 are currently employed or practicing in a Medically Underserved Community, 12 are currently employed or practicing in a Primary Care Setting, and 4 are currently employed or practicing in a Rural Area. During the 2023-2024 academic year, trainees developed or enhanced 218 courses and offered 108 courses, training 454 participants from various disciplines. Trainees also engaged in faculty development activities, training 1,687 participants from various disciplines and professions.

Program Objective

The purpose of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to train and provide support to postdoctoral health care professionals who are planning to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral health research related to primary care. The NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants administered by HRSA are awarded to eligible institutions to develop or enhance postdoctoral research training opportunities for individuals who are planning to pursue careers in primary care research. The NRSA Grants administered by HRSA are awarded to eligible institutions to develop or enhance postdoctoral research training opportunities for individuals who are planning to pursue careers in primary care research.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State
  • Local
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Not-for-Profit Organization
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government

Eligible applicants are those entities that have received a grant under Title VII, sections 736, 739, or 747 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act designed to prepare the primary health care workforce. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government and Native American Organizations may apply if they are otherwise eligible.

Beneficiaries

  • U.S. Territory Government
  • Health Professional
  • Veteran (including dependents)
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Not-for-Profit Organization

Individuals and public or private nonprofit organizations or institutions, including state or local governments and U.S. Territories. Participants must be U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals, or foreign nationals who possess visas permitting permanent residence in the United States. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of the beginning date of the NRSA appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Notification of award is made in writing (electronic) by a Notice of Award.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 120 to 180 days

Approximately 120 to 180 days after receipt of applications.

Program details & compliance

Description

The purpose of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to train and provide support to postdoctoral health care professionals who are planning to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral health research related to primary care. The NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants administered by HRSA are awarded to eligible institutions to develop or enhance postdoctoral research training opportunities for individuals who are planning to pursue careers in primary care research. The NRSA Grants administered by HRSA are awarded to eligible institutions to develop or enhance postdoctoral research training opportunities for individuals who are planning to pursue careers in primary care research.

Mission Categories

Primary: Health Education

Other categories:
General Health and Medical

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

NRSA grants are made to approved institutions to enable them to provide up to five years of fellowship support to qualified postdoctoral individuals undertaking primary care research training. Each NRSA trainee is obligated to comply with federal service and payback provisions. Trainees in the first 12 months of postdoctoral support incur one month of service payback obligation for each month of support. Postdoctoral trainees in the 13th and subsequent months of NRSA support do not incur any further service obligation. In addition, the 13th and subsequent months of postdoctoral training serve to discharge the NRSA payback obligation.

Restrictions

Stipends may only be used for cost-of-living expenses during the period of training.
Indirect costs under training awards will be budgeted and reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement, and are not subject to upward or downward adjustment.

Required Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued under this assistance listing for any required proof or certifications that must be submitted with an application package. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Svetlana Cicale, MPH, Project Officer
(301) 443-7271
Medical Training and Geriatrics Branch Division of Medicine and Dentistry Bureau of Health Workforce, Rockville, MD 20857
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-05. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:33:35.