NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training Program

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a component of the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administers the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program under activity code T34. This program is part of the broader Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award framework, which is designed to develop a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce. NIGMS plays a central role in funding foundational biomedical research and training programs that enhance national scientific capacity, and the BURT program reflects this mission by focusing specifically on undergraduate training pathways. The primary purpose of the BURT program is to strengthen institutional research training environments and to prepare undergraduate students for successful transitions into advanced biomedical research degree programs such as PhD or MD/PhD programs. The program emphasizes completion of baccalaureate degrees in biomedical fields and progression into research-focused careers. It supports structured, evidence-informed training programs that combine coursework, mentored research, and career development activities. Institutions are expected to design comprehensive training environments that include cohort-based learning, authentic research experiences, and professional skill development aligned with national biomedical workforce needs. Funding provided through this opportunity supports stipends, tuition, fees, and training-related expenses for undergraduate trainees. Allowable costs include health insurance, travel for scientific meetings, and structured summer research experiences. Each trainee is required to participate in at least one summer research experience lasting approximately eight weeks. Additional funding is available for travel and per diem expenses associated with these experiences. Institutions may also use funds for program administration, faculty support, and evaluation activities, provided these costs are directly tied to the training program. Awards may last up to five years and are renewable, though budgets must reflect actual program needs and comply with NIH policies. Eligibility for this program is limited to domestic organizations that enroll undergraduate students and have received less than $50 million annually in NIH Research Project Grant funding over the past three fiscal years. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, local governments, and tribal organizations, provided they meet the undergraduate enrollment and funding criteria. Programs may be structured as either single-site initiatives or community college partnerships, the latter requiring collaboration between associate-degree and baccalaureate-degree granting institutions. Foreign organizations and projects involving foreign subawards are not eligible. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using NIH-approved systems such as ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applicants are required to follow detailed instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide and the funding announcement. Required components include a training program plan, faculty and trainee information, data tables, and letters of institutional support. Applications undergo a rigorous peer-review process evaluating scientific merit, training environment quality, program leadership, and trainee outcomes. Only applications demonstrating strong potential to advance biomedical training goals will be considered for funding. The application timeline follows standard NIH due dates, with multiple submission opportunities each year. For example, key due dates include February 25, May 25, and September 25 annually, with corresponding review and award cycles extending into the following year. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time on the due date, and late submissions are not accepted. The funding opportunity remains active through September 2028, with recurring cycles allowing institutions to apply in future rounds. Contact for programmatic inquiries is available via NIGMS program email, and applicants are encouraged to consult program staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with program priorities.

Ensure strong mentoring framework, evidence-based training design, and clear trainee outcomes aligned with biomedical workforce goals