The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. In alignment with the goal of the NRSA program, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training Program will provide funding to institutions of higher education to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained undergraduate students who transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).

Trainees will receive full-time support for 2–3 years of undergraduate biomedical research training. To enhance capacity for rigorous research training, the NOFO will support programs at organizations with modest levels of NIH research project grant funding, including both baccalaureate degree granting institutions, and partnerships between baccalaureate degree and associate-degree granting institutions (community colleges). 

The proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation.

Education

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education