Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. colleges and universities that enroll undergraduate students and want to develop biomedical research training programs.
Eligible institutions must have received NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding averaging less than $50 million per year over the last three fiscal years. All applications must include a baccalaureate degree-granting organization as the primary applicant.
Organizations can apply in two tracks: Single Site (one institution) or Community College Partnerships (community college partnered with a bachelor's-degree institution). Non-U.S. organizations and foreign entities are not eligible.
The program supports didactic, research, and career development components to prepare undergraduates for biomedical research careers.
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Program description
The goal of the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) program is to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained students who:Complete their baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields, andTransition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).Specifically, this funding announcement provides support to eligible, domestic organizations to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical undergraduate training and mentoring to help build a strong biomedical research workforce for the nation.Applicant organizations must enroll undergraduate students and have received NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding averaging less than $50 million in total costs (direct and F&A/indirect) per year over the last three fiscal years (FY). To promote undergraduate research training opportunities across a range of eligible organizations, the program will accept applications in two tracks:Single Site: To support trainees from a single baccalaureate-degree granting organization.Community College Partnerships: To support community college trainee development through strong collaborations between at least one associate-degree granting organization (that is, a community college) and at least one baccalaureate-degree granting organization.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
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- Community College
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- eRA systems account and UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
- NIH eRA Institutional Profile File (IPF) number
- Letters of Support from institutional leadership
- Research training program proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Biosketch of key faculty/mentors
- References and supporting documentation per NOFO
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 NIGMSBURTT34@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
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$77,061,081
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$65,300,599
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$64,096,874
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$62,932,780
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$59,464,779
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$57,271,194
-
$56,978,109
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$56,938,161
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$56,890,714
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$56,074,483
Top States by Funding
- OK 6 awards $208.0M
- DE 5 awards $192.3M
- NY 6 awards $190.1M
- CA 6 awards $184.0M
- NE 5 awards $167.1M
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
What types of institutions are eligible?
Colleges and universities that enroll undergraduates and have received less than $50 million in average annual NIH funding over the last three fiscal years. Community colleges can participate only as partners with bachelor's-degree institutions.
Can I apply if my institution receives more than $50 million annually in NIH funding?
No. Institutions must average less than $50 million in total NIH RPG funding (direct and indirect costs) per year over the previous three fiscal years.
What are the two application tracks?
Single Site supports trainees from one bachelor's-degree institution. Community College Partnerships requires collaboration between at least one community college and at least one bachelor's-degree institution.
What activities does the grant fund?
Didactic training, hands-on research experiences, and career development components designed to prepare undergraduates for biomedical research careers and graduate programs.
Is there a fixed application deadline?
Yes. The deadline is September 25, 2028 for this funding announcement cycle.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Check your institution's NIH funding history through NIH RePORTER before applying to confirm eligibility. Three-year average matters, not a single year.
- If applying as a community college, partner early with a bachelor's-degree institution and clarify roles and governance in your proposal.
- Emphasize evidence-informed practices and how your program will prepare students for research-focused graduate programs like Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.
- Include strong letters of support from institutional leadership confirming commitment to the research training program.
- Develop a clear mentoring and career development plan that connects undergraduates to research opportunities and graduate pathways.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the importance of the $50 million NIH funding threshold—many applications fail because institutions misjudge their eligibility. Not clearly demonstrating institutional commitment and infrastructure to support undergraduate research training at the scale proposed. Weak or missing evidence that the program design incorporates effective mentoring and clear pathways to graduate research careers.
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