The NIH’s Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program provides support for establishing statewide networks that aim to increase biomedical research capacity in historically underfunded regions. Administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), this funding opportunity focuses on fostering collaborations across higher education institutions to promote research infrastructure, faculty and student development, and statewide research culture. This program provides a unique opportunity for states and Puerto Rico with low NIH funding success to establish a research network that supports faculty mentorship, research training, and capacity-building among undergraduate and research institutions, particularly those offering limited doctoral programs in biomedical sciences.

The INBRE program emphasizes the development of a strong biomedical research environment, with a mandatory 60% of the budget directed to supporting primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), which include two-year and four-year colleges and minority-serving institutions. This support is designed to enhance biomedical research capabilities by funding faculty and student research and strengthening research infrastructures. Lead institutions within each state network are expected to have an established biomedical research base and are responsible for coordinating network-wide activities, administering sub-awards, and fostering collaboration between institutions, including those with other NIH-funded IDeA programs, like Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and IDeA-Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR).

To be eligible for INBRE funding, institutions must be located in IDeA-designated states or territories, and each state can submit only one application. Applications must include a detailed proposal that covers various required components, including an Administrative Core, a Developmental Research Project Program (DRPP), and a Data Science Core. Optional components include Research Cores and projects for facility Alteration and Renovation. Each proposal must articulate how these components will support statewide research development and be coordinated to maximize impact. For institutions with fewer than four accredited institutions awarding biomedical degrees, additional flexibility is allowed, and applicants can expand eligibility to include high school students.

Applicants must submit a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) that outlines strategies to foster inclusivity and bring a range of perspectives to biomedical research. This plan includes promoting diversity among team members and encouraging collaboration across institution types. Other essential submission components include MOUs from each participating institution, a comprehensive evaluation plan, and annual conference planning for students and faculty to present research. All application packages must be completed through NIH's ASSIST system, with a strict deadline of 5:00 PM local time on May 22 for both 2024 and 2025 cycles.

Award budgets may not exceed $2.75 million annually in direct costs, with an optional one-time $250,000 allocation for renovations in the first year. Projects funded through INBRE can last up to five years, and only one award per eligible state is available. Key deadlines include the earliest start dates in April of 2024, 2025, and 2026, following the required NIH peer review process and subsequent advisory council review.