IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)

The IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a forecasted grant opportunity offered through the National Institutes of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program operates under the Institutional Development Award initiative, which is designed to strengthen biomedical research capacity in states that have historically received low levels of NIH funding. These states, often referred to as IDeA states, benefit from capacity-building programs that improve institutional infrastructure, enhance research training, and create opportunities for faculty and students in the biomedical sciences. The purpose of the INBRE program is to build and sustain statewide research networks consisting of a lead research-intensive institution and multiple primarily undergraduate institutions. These networks aim to expand opportunities for faculty research, increase mentoring for early-career scientists, and broaden student participation in research projects. A central focus is developing research pathways that encourage undergraduates in IDeA states to pursue careers in biomedical research, thereby contributing to long-term workforce development in health sciences. The scope of funding supports collaborative efforts across institutions within eligible states. The program emphasizes faculty development, mentorship programs, student training, and enhancement of institutional research infrastructure. INBREs foster partnerships among universities and colleges, creating economies of scale and shared research support services that are particularly beneficial for smaller institutions. The initiative is intended to ensure that students and faculty from less research-intensive environments gain access to resources and mentorship comparable to those available at major research universities. Eligibility for this funding is limited to nonprofit organizations, private and public institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit entities, with or without 501(c)(3) status. However, eligibility is further restricted to institutions located in specific IDeA states and territories. These include Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Eligible network partner institutions may include primarily undergraduate institutions such as two-year and four-year colleges that offer associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in biomedical sciences, provided they have awarded 20 or fewer doctoral-level degrees in biomedical sciences during the past two years. The grant is currently in forecast status, with an estimated posting date of February 18, 2027. Applications are expected to be due by May 18, 2027. Awards are anticipated to be issued by May 1, 2028, with funded projects beginning the same day. At present, the number of awards and the total available funding are not specified. There are also no requirements for cost sharing or matching contributions. The program has a fiscal year designation of 2028. Applicants seeking further information may contact the designated program officer, Jessica M. Faupel-Badger, Ph.D., MPH. She can be reached by telephone at 301-480-4969 or by email at badgerje@mail.nih.gov. Interested institutions are encouraged to prepare for the anticipated release by reviewing eligibility requirements, building partnerships with potential network institutions, and aligning proposed projects with the program’s focus on research capacity building, student research engagement, and faculty development in biomedical sciences. By fostering sustainable networks across eligible states, the INBRE program supports a long-term strategy to increase competitiveness for NIH funding, expand biomedical research participation, and strengthen pathways for students into careers in research. This initiative serves as a critical mechanism to reduce disparities in federal biomedical research funding across states and to ensure a broader distribution of research opportunities nationwide.