PAR-26-033
NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)
Summary
NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)
Research Focus & Contribution
The BURT program aims to strengthen undergraduate research training environments and build a pipeline of students who complete baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields and transition into research-focused graduate programs (Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D.). The program targets institutions with lower research funding levels to develop evidence-informed training approaches that combine mentored research experiences, didactic coursework, and career development. Funded programs must provide trainees with foundational skills in rigorous research design, experimental methods, and data analysis; authentic research opportunities (including a required Summer Research Experience); scientific collaboration and communication training; and professional development to support careers across the breadth of the biomedical research workforce—from basic science to chronic disease research. The program particularly encourages applications from institutions serving underrepresented populations, including those in IDeA-eligible states, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and institutions with significant Pell Grant-eligible enrollment.
At-a-Glance
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Who can apply: Domestic baccalaureate-degree granting institutions (or community college partnerships with a four-year partner) with average NIH Research Project Grant funding below $50 million annually over the last three fiscal years; single-site or community college partnership tracks available.
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Funding & project length: Not stated (see award budget details in full NOFO).
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Award mechanism: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grant (T34); supports trainee stipends, tuition/fees, and health insurance per NIH NRSA levels.
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Key dates: Applications due February 25, 2026 (earliest); subsequent deadlines May 25, 2026, September 25, 2026, January 25, 2027, and continuing through September 25, 2028; earliest start date December 2026 (for February submission).
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Best fit for: Institutions developing comprehensive undergraduate biomedical research training programs with mentored research, cohort-based learning, and career pathways; particularly suited to institutions serving first-generation and underrepresented students.
Key Facts
Deadline
Mon, September 25, 2028
Posted
Mon, December 29, 2025
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (7)
Applicant organizations must have received NIH RPG funding averaging less than $50 million in total costs per year over the last three fiscal years—a specific financial threshold that differs from typ
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Source Text
“Applicant organizations must enroll undergraduate students and have received NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding averaging less than $50 million in total costs (direct and F&A/indirect) per year over the last three fiscal years (FY).”
For Community College Partnership track, NIGMS requires at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) from each partner organization. This is a structural requirement that could disqual
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Source Text
“To reinforce strong partnerships, NIGMS requires the participation of at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) from each partner organization.”
Training plans must include at least one trainee Summer Research Experience (SRE)—a mandatory programmatic component that is a specific requirement for this mechanism.
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Source Text
“Authentic research experiences may take place through course-based research or in the context of a research group either at the applicant organization or at a partner organization with greater research activity. Training plans must include at least one trainee Summer Research Experience (SRE).”
Narrowly focused programs (single biomedical discipline or approach) will be low priority for funding—a programmatic preference that could affect competitiveness if applicants design overly narrow tra
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Source Text
“BURT awards are intended to provide research training opportunities to students from the breadth of biomedical disciplines at the organization. Narrowly focused programs will be a low priority for funding (such as those focused on a single biomedical discipline or approach at an organization with multiple relevant departments).”
Trainees cannot lead an independent clinical trial, only participate in trials led by mentors—a restriction on trainee roles that differs from some other training mechanisms.
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Source Text
“This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not allow Trainees to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.”
Students are typically provided full-time support for the final 2–3 years of undergraduate studies, and training grant funds are not intended to support short-term undergraduate biomedical research tr
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Source Text
“Students are typically provided full-time support for the final 2–3 years of undergraduate studies to facilitate their preparation for and transition to research-focused biomedical higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). Training grant funds are not intended to support short-term undergraduate biomedical research training.”
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff before preparing an application to verify eligibility and alignment with NIGMS priorities—an unusual emphasis on pre-submission contact that
88%
Source Text
“Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff before preparing an application to verify that the proposed program is eligible and in alignment with NIGMS priorities.”