Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32) PA-25-168

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32). This long-standing program supports domestic institutions in developing or enhancing research training programs for predoctoral and postdoctoral students in fields relevant to the NIH mission, including biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences. The NRSA program, first enacted in 1974, remains a cornerstone of federal investment in cultivating a skilled biomedical research workforce, aiming to ensure the availability of highly trained scientists capable of addressing the nation’s pressing health research challenges. The grant was updated on March 31, 2025, to align with agency priorities, and applicants are advised to carefully review the full announcement. The purpose of the Parent T32 program is to provide institutions with resources to implement rigorous, structured training programs that integrate coursework, mentored research, technical skills development, and career guidance. Programs are expected to prepare trainees for a broad range of careers within the biomedical research enterprise, not only as independent NIH-funded investigators but also in academia, industry, government, and other research-related fields. Trainees may not lead independent clinical trials under this program but may gain valuable experience working within trials led by their mentors. Training environments must emphasize scientific rigor, reproducibility, safety, and ethical conduct, and programs must foster supportive environments free of harassment or intimidation. Funding provided under this announcement may cover stipends, tuition and fees, health insurance, training-related expenses, travel to scientific meetings, mentor training activities, and other allowable costs as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Indirect costs are capped at 8 percent of modified total direct costs. Institutions may apply for project periods of up to five years, with awards renewable contingent on performance and appropriations. Budgets are not capped but must reflect the actual needs of the proposed program. The number of awards depends on NIH funding availability and the number of meritorious applications received. NIH requires that funded institutions demonstrate strong institutional support and commitment to the training environment, including staff, facilities, and resources. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, certain local or tribal governments, and eligible federal entities. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. institutions are not eligible. Individual trainees must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents at the time of appointment. Predoctoral trainees must be enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral research program, while postdoctoral trainees must hold a relevant doctoral degree such as a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent. Short-term trainees, such as medical or dental students, may also participate, provided they meet program requirements. All trainees are expected to engage in full-time research training. Applications must be submitted electronically through NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an approved institutional system-to-system solution. Applicants must complete all required registrations in SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov prior to submission. The first available submission date for this cycle was December 25, 2024. Standard NIH application deadlines apply, with the next upcoming deadline for new, renewal, resubmission, or revision applications being May 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Subsequent deadlines occur on September 25, 2025, and continue on a recurring basis through May 2028. Applications undergo NIH’s dual peer-review process, with initial scientific merit review followed by advisory council review. The earliest potential start date for awards under the May 2025 deadline is April 2026. Evaluation of applications will be based on multiple criteria, including the strength of the training program and environment, the qualifications and commitment of program directors and faculty, the quality of mentorship, trainee recruitment and retention strategies, and evidence of prior training success. Reviewers will assess whether proposed programs are likely to produce a pool of scientists equipped with the skills, knowledge, and professional capacity to contribute meaningfully to the biomedical research workforce. Proposals must also include training in responsible conduct of research, methods for enhancing reproducibility, and mentor development activities. Renewal applications must demonstrate outcomes such as trainee graduation, career placement, and contributions to scientific advancement. Key dates include an expiration date of May 5, 2028, marking the final date for submissions under this announcement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the NIH Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements, and Staff Contacts to confirm participating institutes and centers, as not all NIH units accept applications under this Parent T32. Consultation with NIH staff prior to submission is also recommended. Application support is available through the NIH eRA Service Desk, the Grants.gov Customer Support Center, and the NIH Grants Information Office. Scientific and financial management contacts vary by institute and can be located in the IC-Specific Information tables. This program reflects NIH’s commitment to sustaining a robust, diverse, and well-prepared biomedical research workforce to advance discovery and improve public health.

Consult NIH staff, align with IC priorities, follow NIH application guide