Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) (T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 026

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 026

The Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) is an NIH training grant opportunity (T32 mechanism) run through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) that is designed to strengthen Ph.D. training in the biomedical sciences while intentionally expanding and supporting a diverse pool of future scientists. The central purpose is workforce-focused: helping doctoral trainees build the skills, experiences, and professional networks they need to move successfully from graduate school into a wide range of productive biomedical research careers that address national health-related research needs. A key boundary of the announcement is that it is "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported training and research experiences must not include clinical trials as defined by NIH.

The FOA supports domestic institutions in developing and running structured, high-quality research training programs that use evidence-based approaches to training and mentoring. In practice, that means applicants are expected to design programs that are deliberate and measurable rather than informal or ad hoc. NIGMS signals that strong programs will combine multiple elements: didactic training (for example, coursework or structured instruction in scientific foundations and rigor), hands-on research experiences, intentional mentoring structures, and career development activities that reflect how quickly the biomedical research enterprise is changing. The emphasis is on preparing trainees not just to complete a dissertation, but to emerge as adaptable scientists with strong research practices, professional skills, and a clear understanding of career pathways in the biomedical research workforce.

Eligibility is intentionally targeted. The program is limited to training programs at "research-active" institutions that are not highly NIH-funded, defined here as having a three-year average of NIH Research Project Grant funding under 7.5 million dollars in total costs. This cap is meant to focus resources on institutions that are building or expanding training capacity and that may not have the same level of infrastructure or NIH grant volume as the largest research powerhouses. Alongside that institutional funding threshold, the FOA highlights a range of organizations that may apply when otherwise eligible, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), among others. The broader eligible applicant categories listed for the opportunity include various levels of government, public and private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and some for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), reflecting that the applicant must be an eligible domestic institution capable of administering an NIH training program.

Foreign participation is restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In other words, the program is intended to be proposed, managed, and carried out within the United States and its eligible jurisdictions, aligning with the goal of strengthening the domestic biomedical training pipeline.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under the NIH, within the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.859). The specific opportunity number provided is PAR-21-026, with an original closing date listed as January 30, 2023, and a creation date of November 20, 2020. While the excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the thrust of the announcement is clear: institutions that meet the funding threshold are invited to propose comprehensive training programs that integrate strong mentoring, modernized scientific training practices, and intentional career preparation, all aimed at producing Ph.D. scientists ready to contribute meaningfully to the biomedical research workforce.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) (T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-11-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 21 026

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