Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) Program (UE5/T34)
Can you apply?
This grant is for tribal colleges, universities, and institutions serving Native American students. Applicants must be accredited institutions with demonstrated commitment to Native American undergraduate education and research training. The program supports research experiences and mentorship that prepare Native American students for graduate study and biomedical research careers. Institutions develop partnerships with established research centers and provide structured training in STEM disciplines.
This grant is for tribal colleges, universities, and institutions serving Native American students. Applicants must be accredited institutions with demonstrated commitment to Native American undergraduate education and research training. The program supports research experiences and mentorship that prepare Native American students for graduate study and biomedical research careers. Institutions develop partnerships with established research centers and provide structured training in STEM disciplines.
Program description
The purpose of the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program is to fund federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes, tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations (collectively termed, eligible Tribal Entities) to identify and develop a pool of scientists to conduct research on AI/AN health and health disparities. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), NIGMS will provide support for a phased award to eligible AI/AN Tribal Entities to develop (UE5) and implement (T34) effective training and mentoring activities for research-oriented individuals earning a bachelor’s degree in a biomedically-relevant field at a variety of institutions across the United States and territories. The overall purpose is to support the development of individuals who have the technical, operational, and professional skills required to conduct AI/AN health research in a culturally appropriate, ethically responsible and rigorous manner, to complete a bachelor’s degree in a biomedical field, and ultimately to transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for tribal colleges, universities, and institutions serving Native American students. Applicants must be accredited institutions with demonstrated commitment to Native American undergraduate education and research training. The program supports research experiences and mentorship that prepare Native American students for graduate study and biomedical research careers. Institutions develop partnerships with established research centers and provide structured training in STEM disciplines.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Letters of Support from Research Partners
- Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel
- Appendix (letters, partnership agreements, student data)
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
-
$73,117,112
-
$61,505,969
-
$60,096,875
-
$58,149,324
-
$57,271,194
-
$56,890,714
-
$56,074,483
-
$55,374,165
-
$54,912,096
-
$54,813,472
Top States by Funding
- NY 7 awards $213.8M
- DE 5 awards $183.9M
- OK 5 awards $182.7M
- CA 6 awards $179.7M
- WV 3 awards $150.5M
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
Who can apply for TURTLE funding?
Tribal colleges and universities, and other institutions with strong commitments to Native American undergraduate education. You must have a track record of supporting Native American students in STEM fields.
What activities does this grant support?
Research training experiences, mentorship programs, coursework, and career development activities. The goal is preparing Native American undergraduates for graduate study and biomedical research careers.
Are there geographic restrictions?
No specific geographic limit. Tribal institutions across the U.S. may apply, provided they meet eligibility criteria.
How competitive is this funding?
Moderately competitive. Success depends on institutional commitment, student recruitment plans, and quality of research training design.
What is the typical funding range?
Amounts vary by program year and institution size. Contact NIH grants office for current funding levels and award limits.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your institution's existing relationships with Native American communities and demonstrated student recruitment success.
- Include strong letters of support from institutional leadership and research partners.
- Detail a clear pipeline from undergraduate research experiences to graduate program applications.
- Describe mentoring models that address unique challenges Native American students face in biomedical research.
- Provide evidence of sustained commitment through multi-year institutional planning and budget allocation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak institutional commitment documentation or unclear research partnership agreements. Vague student recruitment and retention plans without specific diversity targets. Insufficient detail on how mentorship addresses barriers facing Native American researchers in STEM fields.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- CLOSED Virginia’s Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Grant – FY26 — Virginia The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- ROLLING RTAP Grant Program (Rolling) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- OPEN FY 27 Computer Science Incentive Fund – ENDORSEMENTS — Iowa Education
- OPEN 2025-2026 WBL-LIFT (Work-Based Learning Leadership & Investment for Field Training) — Iowa Education