Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program (R25)

IMSD is a student development program for institutions with research-intensive environments. The goal of the program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical research who complete Ph.D. degrees in these fields. The program offers an opportunity to develop new or expand existing effective academic developmental programs, including student research internships, in order to prepare students from underrepresented groups for competitive research careers and leadership positions in the biomedical sciences.

IMSD grants are institutional awards. Applications may be submitted by domestic public/state institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education that have a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support. The institution must award the baccalaureate and/or doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences with a significant number of full-time matriculated students from groups underrepresented in these fields.

An applicant institution may apply for and hold only one IMSD grant. The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 5 years. Awards are renewable. While there are no budgetary caps for this award, all requested costs must be reasonable, well documented, and fully justified and commensurate with the scope of the proposed program. 

NIGMS encourages all applicants for IMSD grants (new as well as renewal) to contact Dr. Veerasamy Ravichandran or Dr. Sailaja Koduri at 301-594-3900. For more information about the IMSD program, please see the links below, and consult the IMSD program announcement (PAR-17-053).

Applicants should also please note that NIGMS does not require applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year to contact staff to obtain agreement that the IC will accept the application.

NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

IMSD Participating Institutions

IMSD Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

R25 Grants Receive Up to $3,000 for Evaluation Support per Project Period: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and Slides [PDF, 500KB]

Guidance for Interim Funding ​​