Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 232
The Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program (T32) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-24-232; CFDA 93.859) designed to broaden participation in the biomedical research workforce by building stronger training environments and increasing the number of well-prepared masters students who successfully transition into, and complete, biomedical Ph.D. programs. The emphasis is not simply on enrolling students, but on creating structured, supportive, and evidence-informed training and mentoring systems that help trainees persist and thrive as they move from masters-level preparation into doctoral-level research training. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) specifically frames this as a workforce development effort meant to ensure the biomedical research enterprise benefits from a wide range of perspectives, lived experiences, and backgrounds that are essential for scientific discovery and for addressing the nation’s health-related research needs.
A central feature of the opportunity is that applicants must propose a formal partnership between at least two postsecondary institutions: a Masters-Training Organization and a separate Ph.D.-Training Organization. The masters partner is typically an institution where the highest biomedically related research degree offered is a masters degree. However, the program also allows Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) to serve as the masters partner even if they also offer biomedical Ph.D. programs. The Ph.D. partner must be an institution that awards its own biomedical Ph.D.s. The structure is meant to create a clear, well-supported pathway so trainees can build research skills and confidence at the masters level while receiving intentional preparation, exposure, and mentoring tied to the expectations and culture of doctoral research training.
Program design is expected to be comprehensive and trainee-centered, combining didactic training, mentored research experiences, and career and professional development activities. In practice, that means the proposed program should not only fund trainee participation but also lay out how coursework, research rotations or projects, skills training (for example, experimental design, quantitative methods, responsible conduct of research, scientific writing), and career development (such as navigating graduate applications, interviewing, selecting programs and mentors, presenting research, and understanding biomedical career pathways) will work together as an integrated pipeline to the Ph.D. The expectation is that the partnership will intentionally build training and mentoring capacity at both institutions and coordinate advising so trainees are prepared academically, technically, and professionally for doctoral training.
NIGMS also expects strong outreach and recruitment efforts, particularly aimed at encouraging participation by individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce. This is positioned as a core program element rather than an optional add-on. In other words, the application should reflect deliberate strategies to attract, support, and retain trainees, and to provide a training climate that helps them progress from masters training into competitive Ph.D. admissions and successful doctoral completion.
Eligibility is domestic-focused. The funding announcement is open broadly across many U.S.-based applicant types (including public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, certain tribal entities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and even for-profit organizations other than small businesses, among others listed in the opportunity data). It also highlights additional eligible categories that commonly align with the program’s broad participation goals, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, reinforcing that the program is intended to build and strengthen domestic training pathways.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant mechanism under the NIH training grant activity (T32). The opportunity was created on 2024-07-17, and the listed original closing date is 2026-09-28. The public summary does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the fields shown, so applicants typically need to consult the full funding announcement and NIH budget guidance for allowable costs, trainee support levels, and program requirements. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a structured pipeline-building grant: it funds partnerships that can demonstrate a credible, well-mentored bridge from masters training into successful biomedical Ph.D. training, with the explicit goal of strengthening the diversity and preparedness of the future biomedical research workforce.Apply for PAR 24 232
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program (T32)" 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 2024-07-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-28. (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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program (T32)?
The Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program is an NIH institutional training grant (T32) intended to broaden participation in the biomedical research workforce. It focuses on creating stronger, structured training environments and increasing the number of well-prepared masters students who successfully transition into, and complete, biomedical Ph.D. programs.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is workforce development: building an evidence-informed, supportive training and mentoring pipeline that helps masters-level trainees persist and thrive as they move into doctoral-level biomedical research training. The emphasis is not simply on enrolling trainees, but on designing systems that improve preparation, retention, and successful Ph.D. outcomes.
Which NIH institute is associated with the program’s framing and emphasis?
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) specifically frames this opportunity as a workforce development effort to strengthen the biomedical research enterprise by ensuring it benefits from a wide range of perspectives, lived experiences, and backgrounds.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-24-232, and the CFDA number listed is 93.859.
What kind of grant mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH training grant activity mechanism T32 and is described as a discretionary grant mechanism.
Is a partnership required to apply?
Yes. A defining feature of the program is a formal partnership between at least two postsecondary institutions: a Masters-Training Organization and a separate Ph.D.-Training Organization.
What is a Masters-Training Organization in this program?
The masters partner is typically an institution where the highest biomedically related research degree offered is a masters degree. The program’s structure is intended to help trainees build skills and confidence at the masters level while preparing intentionally for doctoral research training.
Can an HBCU or TCCU serve as the masters partner even if it offers a biomedical Ph.D.?
Yes. The opportunity allows Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) to serve as the masters partner even if they also offer biomedical Ph.D. programs.
What is required of the Ph.D.-Training Organization?
The Ph.D. partner must be an institution that awards its own biomedical Ph.D.s.
Why does the program require two different partner institutions?
The partnership requirement is designed to create a clear, well-supported pathway from masters preparation into doctoral research training. The intent is coordinated advising, mentoring, and exposure to doctoral expectations and culture so trainees are better positioned for Ph.D. admission and success.
What types of training components are expected in the program design?
The program is expected to be comprehensive and trainee-centered, combining didactic training, mentored research experiences, and career and professional development as an integrated pipeline to the Ph.D.
What are examples of skills training mentioned in the opportunity summary?
Examples include experimental design, quantitative methods, responsible conduct of research, and scientific writing.
What kinds of career and professional development activities are encouraged?
Examples include preparing trainees to navigate graduate applications, interviewing, selecting programs and mentors, presenting research, and understanding biomedical career pathways.
Does the program focus only on funding trainees?
No. The opportunity emphasizes creating structured, supportive, and evidence-informed training and mentoring systems. Funding trainee participation is part of the program, but applicants are expected to show how training elements work together and how the partnership builds mentoring and training capacity.
How should mentoring and advising be handled across the partner institutions?
The summary indicates the partnership should coordinate advising and intentionally connect masters training to doctoral expectations. The design should show how mentoring and preparation will be aligned across institutions so trainees are academically, technically, and professionally ready for Ph.D. training.
Is outreach and recruitment an optional element?
No. Strong outreach and recruitment are positioned as core program elements, particularly efforts aimed at encouraging participation by individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce.
What is the program’s stance on supporting trainees once recruited?
The summary highlights deliberate strategies to attract, support, and retain trainees, and to provide a training climate that helps them progress from masters training into competitive Ph.D. admissions and successful doctoral completion.
Who can apply (in general terms)?
The opportunity is open broadly across many U.S.-based applicant types. The summary lists eligibility that includes public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, certain tribal entities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, among other categories included in the opportunity data.
Are there specific institution categories highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The summary highlights additional eligible categories that commonly align with broad participation goals, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, reinforcing the domestic focus of the program.
When was this opportunity created and what is the listed closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2024-07-17, and the listed original closing date is 2026-09-28.
Does the public summary list an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The public summary does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the fields shown.
Where should applicants look for information on allowable costs and trainee support levels?
Because the public summary does not include those details, applicants typically need to consult the full funding announcement and NIH budget guidance for allowable costs, trainee support levels, and detailed program requirements.
How should this opportunity be understood at a high level?
It is best understood as a structured pipeline-building grant that funds partnerships able to demonstrate a credible, well-mentored bridge from masters training into successful biomedical Ph.D. training, with an explicit focus on strengthening diversity and preparedness in the future biomedical research workforce.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program
Previous opportunity: USDA FS GLRI Cooperative Weed Management Areas 2024
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 24 232
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 24 232) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 252 Funding Number: PAR 24 252 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program Apply for HRSA 25 091 Funding Number: HRSA 25 091 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 24 266 Funding Number: PA 24 266 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: INTERACT INTEgRAtive Back Pain Longitudinal Cohort Teams (UC2 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AR 25 005 Funding Number: RFA AR 25 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information (RFI) - USAID Inter-Religious Engagement for Better Health Apply for RFI 720656 INTER RELIGIOUS ENGAGEMENT Funding Number: RFI 720656 INTER RELIGIOUS ENGAGEMENT Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Materials to Enhance Training in Experimental Rigor (METER) (UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 25 002 Funding Number: RFA NS 25 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health Apply for CDC RFA PW 24 00800101SUPP24 Funding Number: CDC RFA PW 24 00800101SUPP24 Agency: Centers for Disease Control-PHIC Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders Conference (U13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DC 24 009 Funding Number: RFA DC 24 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Planning Grants Apply for SM 25 001 Funding Number: SM 25 001 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Syndemic Approach to Preventing HIV and Substance Use Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities Apply for SP 24 004 Funding Number: SP 24 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Novel Approaches for Radiation Biodosimetry and Medical Countermeasure Development (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 24 041 Funding Number: RFA AI 24 041 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Enhanced Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) Programmatic Support Apply for ORS ORS 24 001 Funding Number: ORS ORS 24 001 Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Overdose Response Strategy Pilot Projects: Interventions to Prevent Overdose at the Intersection of Public Health and Public Safety Apply for ORS ORS 24 002 Funding Number: ORS ORS 24 002 Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Deciphering the Impact of RNA Modifications on Brain Aging and AD/ADRD (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 25 022 Funding Number: RFA AG 25 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AG 25 021 Funding Number: RFA AG 25 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Deciphering the Impact of RNA Modifications on Brain Aging and AD/ADRD (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 25 023 Funding Number: RFA AG 25 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Pregnancy and Postpartum Hypertension Control Initiative Apply for WH AST 25 001 Funding Number: WH AST 25 001 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Promoting Access with a Language Services Assistance Symbol Apply for MP CPI 25 004 Funding Number: MP CPI 25 004 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| National Coordinating Center for Language Access Services Apply for MP CPI 25 003 Funding Number: MP CPI 25 003 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| NIDCR Small Research Grants for Oral Health Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology Development (R03) Apply for PAR 15 344 Funding Number: PAR 15 344 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 24 232", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.