The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32), administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports eligible U.S.-based institutions in developing or enhancing predoctoral and postdoctoral research training programs. This initiative aims to ensure a highly trained workforce capable of meeting the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs of the nation. The T32 program is the NIH’s primary mechanism for institutional research training, established under the NRSA legislation in 1974. It provides support for stipends, tuition, fees, and other training-related expenses, including health insurance, travel for scientific meetings, and professional development activities.

This grant is issued under Funding Opportunity Number PA-25-168 and is open for submissions from December 25, 2024, through May 5, 2028, with standard NIH due dates applying. Applications are expected to propose comprehensive training plans with rigorous coursework, mentorship, and experiential learning designed to develop critical thinking, independent research capability, and a thorough understanding of responsible research practices. Programs must also include structured mentorship training and robust evaluation methods to assess progress and effectiveness. Trainees are not permitted to lead clinical trials but may gain research experience under the guidance of a mentor involved in clinical research.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, tribal and local governments, nonprofits, and specific federal entities. Non-U.S. institutions are not eligible. Applicants must register through several federal systems including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Program directors should be established investigators with appropriate administrative experience and a commitment to mentoring. Applications must also demonstrate strong institutional support, a safe and inclusive research environment, and defined strategies for recruitment, retention, and successful career development of trainees.

Funding is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the quality of submitted applications. There are no budget limits, but requests must reflect actual program needs. Awards can last up to five years and are renewable. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) participating in this grant include the National Eye Institute, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Aging, and many others. Applicants must consult the IC-specific requirements to ensure alignment with NIH priorities, as not all ICs participate in the Parent T32 announcement.

Applications are reviewed through NIH’s peer-review system, focusing on the program’s capacity to train and transition individuals into the biomedical research workforce. Review criteria include training program quality, institutional support, faculty qualifications, trainee potential, and program outcomes. Compliance with NIH policy on responsible conduct of research and reproducibility training is mandatory. Applications must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional systems and are subject to NIH’s strict submission policies and timelines.