NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34) | PAR 26 033

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 26 033

The NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34) is a National Institutes of Health grant opportunity designed to improve the quality and reach of biomedical research training for undergraduates at eligible U.S. institutions. The program focuses on strengthening the overall training environment and mentoring structure so that more students not only finish their bachelor degrees in biomedical or biomedically related majors, but also successfully move into and complete research-intensive graduate or dual-degree programs, especially the Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. pathways. At its core, BURT is meant to help build a stronger, better prepared biomedical research workforce by supporting training programs that use evidence-informed practices rather than informal or ad hoc research experiences.

A key feature of this opportunity is that it targets institutions with relatively lower levels of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding. To be eligible, applicant organizations must enroll undergraduate students and must have received NIH RPG funding averaging less than $50 million per year in total costs (including direct plus F and A/indirect costs) over the most recent three federal fiscal years used for the application cycle. NIH RPG funding levels can be checked through NIH RePORTER, and the specific fiscal years used depend on when the application is submitted (for example, FY2026 submissions would be evaluated using FY2023 to FY2025 data). This eligibility design is intended to broaden access to NIH-supported undergraduate research training and to distribute training opportunities across a wider range of institutions, not just those with the largest research portfolios.

BURT applications are accepted under two program structures. The first is a Single Site track, which supports trainees at one baccalaureate degree-granting institution. The second is a Community College Partnerships track, which supports strong collaborations between at least one community college (an associate degree-granting institution) and at least one bachelor degree-granting institution. The partnership approach is meant to create clear, supportive training and transition pathways for community college students, combining early-stage development and advising with access to research training environments that may be more available at four-year institutions. Regardless of track, every application must involve a baccalaureate degree-granting organization, since the program is ultimately focused on bachelor-level completion and the transition into research-focused advanced training.

The funded training programs are expected to combine multiple elements that together prepare undergraduates for biomedical research careers and advanced study. That typically includes structured educational components (didactic training), hands-on research experiences in active research settings, and intentional career development and mentoring activities. The expectation is that these components work together as a coherent training approach, not as separate, loosely connected activities, and that they are grounded in approaches that have evidence behind them or are otherwise well-justified as effective for undergraduate training and mentoring.

There are also important application and organizational requirements. The application must be submitted by the eligible organization and must be tied to a unique entity identifier (UEI) and a unique NIH eRA Institutional Profile File (IPF) number. For institutions with multiple campuses, a campus can only be considered separately for eligibility if it has its own UEI and its own NIH eRA IPF number. If multiple campuses share a single UEI or IPF, eligibility is evaluated collectively across those campuses. In addition, the sponsoring organization is expected to clearly assure both eligibility and institutional commitment to the proposed program, with that support documented through the required letters of support and other materials described in the full notice of funding opportunity.

This opportunity is strictly limited to domestic applicants. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. Eligible applicant types include a range of U.S.-based entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not higher education institutions), and eligible Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is health (CFDA 93.859), and the opportunity is listed as PAR-26-033 with an original closing date of 2028-09-25.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)" 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 2025-12-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-09-25.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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.

Apply for PAR 26 033

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