Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant (NRSA)

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant (NRSA) is a federally funded initiative administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed to cultivate a skilled research workforce by providing institutional training grants to eligible academic institutions. The NRSA program supports postdoctoral researchers in fields relevant to biomedical, behavioral, and health services research, with a particular focus on primary care. The overarching aim is to prepare professionals who will lead advancements in primary care research and address complex challenges in the U.S. healthcare system. This forecasted opportunity, designated HRSA-26-035, seeks to fund institutions that can offer structured research training environments to postdoctoral healthcare professionals. The training programs must align with the program’s goal to enhance the quality and scope of primary care research. The initiative supports the development and refinement of institutional capacity for research mentorship and education in areas crucial to understanding and improving primary care delivery and workforce dynamics. Programs funded under this opportunity should focus on research topics that intersect with healthcare access, delivery, disparities, outcomes, and policies affecting primary care services. Eligible applicants include public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education in the United States. Specifically, institutions that received funding under Sections 736, 739, or 747 of the Public Health Service Act between 2011 and 2025 are eligible to apply. The anticipated award date for successful applicants is July 1, 2026, with projects expected to commence on the same date. A total of approximately $5,980,000 in program funding is forecasted, and it is estimated that around 12 awards will be made. Individual awards will range from $134,653 to $500,000, allowing institutions flexibility in designing their research training programs based on scale and scope. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity, and the funding may be used to support various aspects of postdoctoral training, including stipends, tuition, travel, and training-related expenses. However, all spending must adhere to the terms and conditions set forth by HRSA and align with the objectives of the NRSA program. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2026. Early submission is encouraged due to system processing times and potential technical issues. Interested applicants should note that this opportunity is currently in the forecast stage, with an estimated post date of March 30, 2026. As such, the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and complete application instructions are not yet available. Once posted, these documents will provide detailed guidance on submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and required components such as institutional data, program design, training objectives, and faculty qualifications. In the meantime, institutions are encouraged to begin internal planning, assess their eligibility, and prepare for a timely submission once the opportunity becomes active. For further information or clarification, applicants may contact Svetlana Cicale at the Health Resources and Services Administration by phone at 301.443.7271 or via email at [email protected]. While a direct PDF link to the NOFO is not yet available, updates will be posted on Grants.gov. Institutions are advised to subscribe to alerts for this opportunity to stay informed about changes in status and the release of application materials.