We’re pleased to announce a new notice of special interest (NOSI) (NOT-GM-24-007): Topics for Training Modules for Enhancing Biomedical Research Workforce Training (R25). The NOSI, associated with the reissue of notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) PAR-24-040, requests applications to develop biomedical research training modules on one of the following topics:

• Mental health and well-being: utilizing the U.S. surgeon general’s framework to provide organizational dialogue and changes to improve the mental health and well-being of those being trained to become part of the biomedical research workforce.
• Structural barriers and discrimination: addressing harassment, intimidation, and other barriers and actions to reduce disparities and to promote access, inclusion, equity, and accessibility in the biomedical research workforce. Modules should focus on how to create optimized research environments where all participants feel safe, respected, and supported.
• Laboratory safety in research environments: catalyzing a strong culture of responsibility and obligation to support high standards for physical, chemical, and biological safety.
• Rigor, reproducibility, and transparency of biomedical research techniques: promoting rigorous, transparent, and robust scientific experiments and, therefore, a stronger scientific record through the development of modules focused on detailed approaches to proper controls, sample size, statistical analyses, and transparent reporting, among others, associated with a scientific method or technique.
• Program evaluation capacity: developing evaluation capacity by informing program directors, managers, and administrators about effective and practical approaches to evaluate biomedical research training programs at their institutions.

The application deadline is January 26, 2024, and only one topic may be addressed per application.

The proposed modules should 1.) benefit individuals from a broad range of scientific disciplines and career stages; 2.) result in meaningful, sustained change in the biomedical research workforce; and 3.) cover material not typically included as part of the current institutional coursework. Modules can take many different formats and approaches and should be timely, informative, engaging, easily accessible, and free to the biomedical research community. Because of the complex nature of these topics, we highly encourage subject matter expert(s) to be part of the investigator team.

As indicated in the NOSI for the 2024 receipt date, these are the only five topics eligible for funding under the training modules NOFO. More details are available in the NOFO and associated NOSI. Stay tuned for future NIGMS topics of interest and due dates by subscribing to our Feedback Loop blog. To view previously funded modules on enhancing rigor, transparency, and reproducibility, visit the NIGMS clearinghouse.

If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, please contact Kalynda Gonzales Stokes or Edgardo Falcón Morales.