International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for advanced postdoctoral researchers and junior faculty conducting biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Applicants must be U.S.-based researchers positioned to conduct intensive research abroad. Recipients must spend significant time at the LMIC research site under mentorship from senior U.S. and LMIC researchers.
The program supports salary, research costs, and career development activities. Proposals must produce generalizable knowledge applicable to both U.S. and LMIC populations and foster international collaborative relationships.
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Key dates
- Jul 2, 2026 Applications open
- Feb 9, 2027 Application deadline in 207 days
- Dec 1, 2027 Award announced
- Dec 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
This initiative will provide salary and research support to advanced U.S. postdoctoral researchers and junior faculty for intensive mentored research and career development activities focused on biomedical, behavioral, and/or clinical research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Proposals will leverage special opportunities not present in the U.S. and result in generalizable knowledge applicable to the health of U.S. and LMIC populations. Recipients will be required to spend significant time at the LMIC research site and receive mentoring from senior U.S. and LMIC researchers. This experience will provide recipients with a deep understanding of the local research environment and foster collaborative relationships necessary to develop competitive independent NIH research proposals. A sustained period of research career development will enable recipients to become global leaders in their fields, serve as mentors to the next generation of investigators, and strengthen international networks that support NIH research investments.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (NIH form)
- Project Narrative
- Mentor letters (U.S. and LMIC-based)
- Budget and narrative
- Biographical sketches
- Institutional commitment/support letter
Program contact
- 👤 FIC IRSDA Program
- 📧 FIC-CareerDev@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.989 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$52,173,936
-
$50,365,175
-
$40,336,583
-
$38,729,911
-
$34,754,915
-
$26,205,220
-
$20,151,900
-
$15,921,171
-
$14,502,752
-
$14,026,425
Top States by Funding
- NY 14 awards $138.7M
- IN 3 awards $68.1M
- TN 5 awards $58.7M
- CA 8 awards $45.4M
- IL 5 awards $36.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.989). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $67,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $69,732,021 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,429,341 |
FAQ
Who can apply?
Advanced postdocs and junior faculty at U.S. institutions conducting biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. You must be eligible for NIH funding and positioned to work in a LMIC.
What geographic areas are supported?
Research conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). You must spend significant time at the research site.
What research activities are supported?
Biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research with generalizable knowledge. Mentored research development and career-building activities in international settings are emphasized.
What budget categories are allowed?
Salary support and research costs are typically allowed. Equipment and indirect costs follow standard NIH guidelines.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is February 9, 2027. Check the NIH website for any subsequent deadlines or rolling acceptance cycles.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the scientific merit of working in a LMIC setting. Show why this environment is essential for your research goals.
- Identify strong mentors in both the U.S. and your LMIC host country. Clear mentorship structures strengthen competitiveness.
- Plan a realistic timeline with significant in-country presence. Vague or short-term plans will weaken your proposal.
- Demonstrate how your research benefits both LMIC and U.S. populations. Focus on generalizable knowledge, not just local impact.
- Build a detailed collaboration plan with the host institution. Show mutual benefit and long-term relationship potential.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak mentorship plans without identified senior mentors in both U.S. and host country. Unclear timeline showing insufficient in-country time commitment. Research question not framed as producing generalizable knowledge applicable to both populations.
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