Summer Institute for Research Education in Biostatistics and Data Science

The Summer Institute for Research Education in Biostatistics and Data Science grant opportunity is a forecasted funding initiative led by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program aims to support summer courses designed to introduce participants to the fundamental principles and methodologies of biostatistics and data science as applied in biomedical research. The NHLBI, through this initiative, seeks to foster the growth of the biostatistics and data science workforce by engaging advanced undergraduate students and recent graduates, nurturing their interest in these fields, and enhancing the pipeline for future statisticians and data scientists. The program offers discretionary grants to institutions of higher education—both public and private—to develop, conduct, and evaluate these summer educational experiences. The proposed courses must be oriented towards attracting and preparing students to pursue graduate training and careers in biostatistics and data science, particularly within biomedical contexts. There is a strong emphasis on high-quality instruction and mentorship, with the expectation that the program will contribute significantly to addressing workforce needs in public health research. This grant is structured under several Assistance Listings, including programs related to cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, blood diseases, sleep disorders, and translational science. The funding opportunity is not associated with a cost-sharing or matching requirement, which reduces administrative burden on the applicants and expands accessibility. However, the funding details, including total program funding and specific award amounts, are not yet disclosed and will be specified upon official release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The opportunity is currently in a forecasted state, with an estimated post date of April 15, 2026, and an estimated application due date of July 1, 2026. Anticipated award announcements will occur around February 1, 2027, with funded projects expected to begin on April 1, 2027. Given the advanced notice, the NHLBI encourages researchers and institutions to use the interim period to develop collaborative, well-structured proposals aligned with the program’s objectives. Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, both public and private, which are well-positioned to deliver high-quality, intensive educational experiences over the summer months. Application submission will occur through standard NIH channels, and while no pre-application such as a Letter of Intent is specified in the forecast, applicants should be prepared to follow NIH's usual grant submission processes. Key evaluation criteria are likely to include the scientific and educational merit of the proposed course, institutional capacity, mentorship plans, and the potential to impact workforce development in biostatistics and data science. The primary contact for the opportunity is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which encourages initial contact via email, referencing the funding announcement number RFA-HL-27-006. Interested parties are advised to monitor the NIH and Grants.gov websites for updates and the formal release of the NOFO to ensure timely and complete submission.