Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities supporting postdoctoral and graduate research training. Applicants must be institutions with strong research programs and faculty mentors in relevant fields. Training may cover biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research areas. Institutions must have institutional support, including space and administrative resources. Geographic scope is nationwide. The program supports training in research methods, career development, and mentorship within accredited institutions.
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Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and/or enhance predoctoral and postdoctoral research training, including short-term research training, to help ensure that a highly trained workforce is available to meet the needs of the Nations biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research agenda. Research training programs are expected to incorporate engaging, 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. Programs proposing only short-term predoctoral research training should not apply to this announcement, but rather to the Kirschstein-NRSA Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant Program (T35) exclusively reserved for predoctoral, short-term research training.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow appointed Trainees to lead an independent clinical trial but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) and SF-424 (R&R) Supplemental Cover Sheet
- Research Training Plan and Curriculum
- Letters of Mentor Support and Commitment
- Trainee Application Information and Selection Criteria
- Institutional Budget and Budget Justification
- Facilities and Equipment Description
- Letters of Institutional Support
- Key Personnel Biographical Sketches
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.273 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$131,608,116
-
$34,675,742
-
$34,469,501
-
$33,261,336
-
$33,077,338
-
$32,897,567
-
$30,394,602
-
$30,371,564
-
$29,223,384
-
$29,195,978
Top States by Funding
- CA 16 awards $250.9M
- NY 3 awards $172.8M
- OR 7 awards $96.9M
- NC 4 awards $67.1M
- IN 3 awards $61.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.273). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $430,377,419 | |
| 2025 | $429,906,735 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,401,560 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and medical centers with research programs in NIH-supported fields can apply. You must have faculty mentors and institutional infrastructure to support trainees.
Can individual researchers apply directly?
No, this grant is institution-based. Individual postdocs and graduate students apply through their institution's training program.
What research areas are supported?
Biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and translational research areas are typically supported. Check with NIH for specific focus areas in your field.
How competitive is this funding?
Highly competitive. Applicants need strong mentorship, research environment, and track records of trainee success and career outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards vary widely based on number of trainees and research area. Generally ranges from $150,000 to $300,000+ annually, depending on scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize institutional commitment with letters of support from department chairs and research administrators.
- Include detailed mentor qualifications and prior trainee outcomes showing career advancement.
- Demonstrate robust research environment with equipment, funding, and mentoring structure.
- Build a diverse cohort of trainees across career stages and research interests.
- Show evidence of strong institutional supervision and trainee evaluation mechanisms.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak mentorship documentation or mentors without sufficient research support. Insufficient detail on trainee recruitment strategy and diversity efforts. Unclear connection between training curriculum and career development outcomes.
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