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.

TURTLE offers awards to Tribal entities to develop and implement effective training and mentoring activities for research-oriented individuals earning an undergraduate degree or doctoral degree in biomedical research fields at a variety of institutions across the United States and territories. The first phase of the award (UE5) will develop capacity at eligible Tribal entities. The second phase (T34 for undergraduate degree; T32 for doctoral degree) provides funds for institutional National Research Service Award training programs including stipends to defray living expenses, tuition, travel to support trainees, and training-related expenses to support the program.

Tribal entities can apply to either or both of the following notices of funding opportunities:

1. PAR-24-236: Undergraduate TURTLE Program (UE5/T34)
2. PAR-24-235: Graduate TURTLE Program (UE5/T32)

First application deadline: January 27, 2025
Earliest start date: December 2025

If you’re interested in TURTLE, we encourage you to attend our upcoming webinar. If you have additional questions, please contact NIGMSTurtle@nigms.nih.gov.

Participants requiring sign language interpretation and/or other reasonable accommodations should email us through our contact form at least 5 days prior to the event.

The webinar recording and presentation slides will be posted on the TURTLE webpage following the event.