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

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 168

The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32), funding opportunity number PA-25-168, is an NIH grant program designed to support institutions in building, strengthening, or expanding structured research training programs for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees. The core purpose is workforce development: NIH is investing in institutional training environments that can reliably produce a diverse, highly skilled pipeline of researchers prepared to address the nations biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. Rather than funding a single research project, the T32 mechanism supports a coordinated training program that brings together strong mentorship, a well-defined curriculum, and a research-rich environment that helps trainees develop into independent scientists and research professionals.

The training programs supported under this opportunity are expected to be comprehensive and intentionally designed. NIH is looking for programs that combine engaging didactic elements (such as coursework, seminars, and structured instruction), substantive mentored research experiences, and clear career development components (such as grant writing support, responsible conduct of research, networking, professional skills development, and guidance on career paths). The overall expectation is that trainees leave the program prepared for impactful research careers that directly contribute to national health-related research priorities. The announcement also notes that short-term research training can be included, but programs that propose only short-term predoctoral training should not apply under this T32 parent announcement; those efforts are directed instead to the NRSA Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant mechanism (T35), which is specifically reserved for predoctoral short-term training programs.

A key compliance point relates to clinical trials. Under this FOA, appointed trainees are not permitted to lead an independent clinical trial. However, trainees are allowed to gain meaningful clinical trial experience when the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor, meaning the program can still provide exposure to clinical research operations, trial design considerations, data management, and analysis within the context of a mentored training experience. This distinction matters for program design because it shapes how training plans can incorporate clinical trial activities while keeping trainees in appropriate roles under NIH policy.

Eligibility is centered on domestic (U.S.-based) institutions, and the opportunity is broad in terms of the types of U.S. organizations that can apply. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) outside of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, certain Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the announcement is clear that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, reinforcing that the supported training infrastructure must be based in the United States.

From an administrative standpoint, the program is offered by the National Institutes of Health under a discretionary grant funding instrument type, with activity aligned to education and health-related workforce development. The CFDA numbers listed span many NIH institutes and centers, reflecting that the parent T32 mechanism can be used across a wide range of scientific and health domains depending on institute-specific interests and priorities. The opportunity shows an original closing date of 2028-05-04, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted according to NIH submission cycles and the FOA schedule. Award ceiling and expected awards are not specified in the provided data, which is common in NIH training announcements where budgets are often determined by allowable NRSA trainee costs, slots requested, and institute-specific funding decisions rather than a single fixed maximum.

In practical terms, this FOA is best understood as support for an institutionally organized training track or training center, where the institution proposes how it will recruit and support trainees, provide high-quality mentorship, deliver a structured training curriculum, and track outcomes that demonstrate the program is producing capable researchers. The emphasis on both diversity and high-quality preparation signals that reviewers and NIH staff will expect thoughtful recruitment and retention strategies, strong mentoring teams, and a training environment that equips trainees with the research, professional, and career skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the nations health-related research agenda.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.310, 93.313, 93.351, 93.361, 93.396, 93.397, 93.398, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-05-04.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 25 168

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