We’re hosting a virtual question-and-answer “office hour” on Monday, January 13, 2025, for our basic biomedical and medical scientist T32 programs:

• NIGMS Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program (PAR-23-228). Next application due date: January 25, 2025.
• Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (PAR-24-128). Next application due date: January 25, 2025.
• Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP) (PAR-23-030). Next application due date: January 27, 2025.

Notice of Virtual Question & Answer Office Hours for BRE-SPAD Program Applicants (NOT-GM-25-014)

UPDATE: The first application due date for the BRE-SPAD program has changed to February 19, 2025. For more information, see NOT-GM-25-010.

The notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for our Biomedical Research Environment & Sponsored Programs Administration Development (BRE-SPAD) program is now available (PAR-24-268). The program aims to promote broad participation in biomedical research by supporting resource-limited institutions to conduct research, enhance their research environments, and increase sponsored programs’ administration capacity.

Applications should propose activities in at least two of the following areas:

• Developing sponsored programs’ administration 
• Cultivating growth in the research environment 
• Administering pilot research projects 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is making a number of changes to the fellowship application and peer review process for due dates on or after January 25, 2025. For details, visit the Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process webpage. New funding announcements and application instructions will be released in the coming months.

We've published the funding announcements for our new Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program. TURTLE will support federally recognized American Indian/Alaskan 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.

UPDATE: The video from this webinar are available.

We’re pleased to announce that the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) has been reissued (PAR-24-252). IPERT supports innovative educational activities that equip participants at various career stages with the skills required for careers in the biomedical research workforce. NIGMS prioritizes programs that are open to participants nationwide.

First application due date: October 17, 2024
Earliest start date: July 2025

UPDATE: The video from this webinar is now available.

We’re pleased to share that the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) have been reissued. MOSAIC, an NIH-wide initiative that NIGMS oversees, has two components: a postdoctoral career transition award (K99/R00) and a cohort-based mentoring and career development program that supports the scholars (UE5 research education cooperative agreement).

We’re pleased to announce that our Research on Interventions That Promote the Careers of Individuals in the Biomedical Research Enterprise notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) has been reissued under a new name: B-INSPIRE, short for Research on Behavioral INterventionS That Promote Careers In the Biomedical Research Enterprise (R01) (PAR-24-230). The new name better reflects the goal of this program: to test theoretically based behavioral interventions that enhance research-oriented individuals' interest, motivation, persistence, and preparedness for careers in the biomedical research workforce.

Applicants must propose an intervention that tests effectiveness using robust experimental designs, such as randomized control trial approaches, case controls, or matched pair design, appropriate to performing rigorous research on effective interventions aiming to increase success in the biomedical research workforce. Possible areas for the intervention include but are not limited to training, mentoring, and networking; navigating critical transition points; institutional factors that influence persistence; harassment; and barriers to participation. The intervention should be cost-effective, practical, realistic, scalable, and sustainable at a broad range of institutions.

We’re pleased to announce the creation of an online form for trainees to share feedback on NIGMS research education, training, and career development programs. We value this input as NIGMS refines its existing programs and develops new opportunities to meet emerging needs in biomedical research training.

The form, which can be completed anonymously, allows trainees to submit constructive comments—for example, to suggest program improvements or to recognize an outstanding program for its training and mentorship activities. NIGMS welcomes submissions from trainees across all educational and career stages.

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re seeking a highly qualified Branch Chief for our Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD). Applicants should have interest and experience in the areas managed by the Postdoctoral, Early Career, and Workforce Development Branch. Position responsibilities include programmatic and administrative planning, management, and evaluation; optimization of Branch procedures; and oversight of the grant portfolio activities of the Branch program directors. The Branch Chief will also manage a grant portfolio and will work closely with the other TWD Branch Chiefs and the Division Director.

As graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, you may find yourself searching for opportunities to support the current or next stage of your research training. NIGMS has a long history of fostering research training and developing a strong biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs at all education levels. Many of our research training grants are made to organizations, which in turn select the students or postdoctoral researchers who’ll receive support. This post focuses on programs individual graduate students and postdoctoral scientists can directly apply to, regardless of your institutional or organizational affiliation.