RFA-LM-28-001-Full-Announcement.html

Department of Health and Human Services

Part 1. Overview Information

Participating Organization(s)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

National Library of Medicine (NLM)

National Eye Institute (NEI)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

All applications to this funding opportunity announcement should fall within the mission of the Institutes/Centers. The following NIH Offices may co-fund applications assigned to those Institutes/Centers.

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)

Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS)

Note: Not all NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) participate in Announcements. Applicants should carefully note which ICOs participate in this announcement and view their respective areas of research interest at the ICO-Specific Scientific Interests website. ICOs that do not participate in this announcement will not consider applications for funding.

Funding Opportunity Title

NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Activity Code

T15 Continuing Education Training Grants

Announcement Type

New

Related Notices

Check for any recent Notices of NIH Policy Changes that may impact application requirements.

Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

RFA-LM-28-001

Companion Funding Opportunity

None

Number of Applications

Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

Assistance Listing Number(s)

93.879, 93.242, 93.173, 93.398, 93.121, 93.279, 93.855, 93.867, 93.310, 93.853

Funding Opportunity Purpose

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) invites applications for innovative predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs that prepare the next generation of researchers in biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). NLM emphasizes cutting-edge, forward-looking training experiences that equip trainees to address complex health and biomedical challenges through advanced computational approaches. Applications may propose the creation of new training programs or the renewal of existing NLM-supported programs. These programs are designed to meet the growing demand for researchers with deep expertise in biomedical computing, data science, and AI/ML, with clear relevance to health and biomedical research. Recognizing the inherently interdisciplinary nature of these fields, NLM seeks programs that integrate methods and perspectives across disciplines to advance biomedical informatics, data science, and AI/ML.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not allow Trainees to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

Funding Opportunity Goal(s)

To meet a growing need for investigators trained in biomedical informatics research and data science by training qualified pre- and post-doctoral candidates.

Key Dates

Posted Date

October 16, 2026

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

January 11, 2027

February 11, 2027

February 11, 2027

Not Applicable

December 2027

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

No late applications will be accepted for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Expiration Date

February 12, 2027

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the Training (T) Instructions in the How to Apply Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the How to Apply Application Guide, and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the How to Apply Application Guide, as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the How to Apply Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information Key Dates Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Other Award Budget Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

The purpose of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Institutional Training Program in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to support pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training for research careers in fields which jointly advance information sciences and data-driven discovery. As the scale and complexity of biomedical and health data continue to grow, there is an increasing national need for a highly skilled workforce capable of developing innovative computational, statistical, and information science approaches to accelerate biomedical discovery and improve health. Graduates of NLM-supported T15 programs are expected to conduct original basic or applied research at the intersection of computer, statistical, and information sciences and one or more biomedical application domains, preparing them for research- and development-oriented roles in academic institutions, not-for-profit research institutes, governmental and public health agencies, biomedical and technology companies, and health care organizations.

Applicants must propose programs that provide a strong, interdisciplinary training environment equipping trainees with rigorous methodological expertise and meaningful research experience in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. Proposed programs should include supervised research experiences of increasing sophistication that culminate in an independent research project and dissemination of findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national scientific meetings. Applications may propose the creation of new training programs or the renewal of existing NLM training grants and must describe innovative, adaptable curricula that integrate foundational principles with emerging advances, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and prepare trainees to address complex challenges in biomedical data science. Programs should focus on advancing technical knowledge and developing a highly skilled research workforce in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI.

This funding opportunity is not intended to train individuals for careers primarily centered on the planning, deployment, maintenance, or administration of health care, public health, or research systems and data. .

NIH supports training that prepares individuals for careers in clinically relevant research. Accordingly, gaining experience in clinical trials under the guidance of a mentor or co-mentor is encouraged.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

Grant: A financial assistance mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.

Application Types Allowed

New

Renewal

The OER Glossary and the How to Apply Application Guide, provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO.

Clinical Trial?

Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials. Note: Applications may propose activities involving human subjects that are not deemed clinical trials.

Note: Appointed Trainees are permitted to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial?

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The issuing IC and partner components intend to commit an estimated total of $17,100,000 (19-27 awards).

Award Budget

Application budgets are limited to $775K in direct costs, but the requested budget must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Recipients are expected to be familiar with and comply with applicable cost policies and the NRSA Guidelines (NIH Grants Policy Statement - Institutional Research Training Grants). Funds may be used only for those expenses that are directly related to and necessary for the research training and must be expended in conformance with OMB Cost Principles, the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and the NRSA regulations, policies, guidelines, and conditions set forth in this document.

Award Project Period

The project period will not exceed five years.

Other Award Budget Information

Stipends, Tuition, and Fees

NLM Institutional training awards provide stipends as a subsistence allowance to help defray living expenses during the research training experience. NLM will contribute to the combined cost of tuition and fees at the rate in place at the time of award. Support for stipends, tuition and fees will be based on the most recent levels for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Stipend levels, as well as funding amounts for tuition and fees and the institutional allowance are announced annually in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, and are also posted on the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) webpage.

Trainee Travel

Trainee travel to attend scientific meetings and workshops that the institution determines to be necessary for the individual's research training experience is an allowable trainee expense for pre-doctoral and postdoctoral trainees. Applicants may request $2,000 per year per full-time trainee to support trainee travel to scientific meetings and workshops, including the NLM Informatics Training Conference. Trainees must be appointed to the training grant at the time of the actual travel for this to be an allowable cost. Short-term trainees do not receive travel support.

Training Related Expenses

NIH will provide funds to help defray other research training expenses, such as health insurance, staff salaries, consultant costs, mentor training activities, equipment, research supplies, and faculty/staff travel directly related to the research training program. The most recent levels of training related expenses are announced annually in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, and are also posted on the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) webpage.

Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, consortium costs in excess of $25,000, and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

Local Governments

Other

Federal Governments

Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

U.S. Territory or Possession

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

The applicant institution must have a strong and high-quality research program in the area(s) proposed under this NOFO and must have the requisite faculty, staff, potential trainees and facilities on site to conduct the proposed institutional program. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed program will complement other ongoing research training programs occurring at the applicant institution and that a substantial number of program faculty will have active research projects in which participating trainees may gain relevant experience consistent with their research interests and goals.

Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Required Registrations

Applicant Organizations Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide, to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information.

System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. Foreign organizations must obtain a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)- A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

All PD(s)/PI(s) must be registered with ORCID. The personal profile associated with the PD(s)/PI(s) eRA Commons account must be linked to a valid ORCID ID. For more information on linking an ORCID ID to an eRA Commons personal profile see the ORCID topic in our eRA Commons online help.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research training program as the Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (Training PD/PI) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the How to Apply - Application Guide.

The PD/PI should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD/PI will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to the approved research training program, and for the overall direction, management, administration, and evaluation of the program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required. The PD/PI has responsibility for the day to day administration of the program and is responsible for appointing members of the Advisory Committee (when applicable), using their recommendations to determine the appropriate allotment of funds. Additional PDs/PIs, including individuals with experience in areas relevant to the program goals may be included to achieve the training goals.

2. Cost Sharing This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2 Definition of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique entity identifier (UEI)) is allowed.

Preceptors/Mentors

Program faculty should be active researchers in the biomedical sciences as demonstrated by recent publications and research support in the area of the proposed research training program. Programs are encouraged to recruit prospective preceptors/mentors with relevant experience and expertise to advance the program goals, including faculty at different career stages (for example, early stage investigators as well as senior faculty). When building a training team, programs should include faculty who are committed to training, mentoring, and providing safe and supportive research training environments. All program faculty should have a mentoring philosophy appropriately tailored to the needs of potential trainees that ensures trainees will receive the tailored mentorship needed to develop skills and advance their career. Program faculty should also have sufficient time to commit to training given their other professional obligations.

Trainees Applicants proposing training may request NLM funding for up to a total of 10 trainees, including up to 3 postdoctoral fellows. Applicants may also request additional slots for training in disease-specific informatics research areas; these areas should align with the research priorities of an NIH Institute or Center participating in this program as described in Section V.2 "Review and Selection Process" below. Disease-specific slots should be scientifically justified and supported by an appropriate curriculum track and well-qualified faculty.

Institutional research training grants must be used to support a program of full-time research training. Within the full-time training period, research trainees who are also training as clinicians must devote their time to the proposed research training and must confine clinical duties to those that are an integral part of the research training experience. The program may not be used to support studies leading to the MD, DDS, or other clinical, health-professional training except when those studies are part of a formal combined research degree program, such as the MD/PhD.

For pre-doctoral appointees entering training, the endpoint must be a PhD or other doctoral degree in informatics or a related field. Trainees who are, at the time of application for informatics training, matriculated in programs leading to a doctoral-level health professional degree (i.e., an MD/PhD program), may be supported as predoctoral trainees for their informatics PhD training. Postdoctoral appointees entering training must evidence training gaps that will be rectified by formal training plans; unless otherwise advised, postdoctoral appointees should matriculate in an informatics-relevant graduate degree program.

The applicant organization will select the trainees to be supported by the research training program and is responsible for establishing trainee eligibility and selection criteria that are consistent with applicable law.

The individual to be trained must be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship, training period, and aggregate duration of support are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

All trainees are required to pursue their research training full-time, normally defined as 40 hours per week, or as specified by the sponsoring institution in accordance with its own policies. Appointments are normally made in 12-month increments, and no trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial period of appointment, except with prior approval of the awarding unit.

Predoctoral trainees must have received a baccalaureate degree by the beginning date of their appointment and must be enrolled in a program leading to a PhD or in an equivalent research doctoral degree program. Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs, are also eligible.

Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of the beginning date of the appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. Comparable doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to, the following: D.M.D., DC, DO, DVM., OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, DSW, PsyD, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research. Documentation by an authorized official of the degree-granting institution certifying all degree requirements have been met prior to the beginning date of the training appointment is acceptable. Individuals in postgraduate clinical training, who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs, are also eligible. Postdoctoral appointees entering training must evidence training gaps that will be rectified by formal training plans supported by the program core and elective curriculum.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the Training (T) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity to do otherwise (in this NOFO, in a policy notice, or other notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Page Limitations All page limitations described in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply - Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

SF424(R&R) Cover All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations

SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information

Project Summary/Abstract. Provide an abstract of the entire application. Include the goals, objectives, rationale and design of the research training program, as well as key activities in the training plan. Indicate the planned duration of appointments, the projected number of trainees including their levels (i.e., pre-doctoral, postdoctoral), and intended trainee outcomes.

Other Attachments. An Advisory Committee is not a required, but a highly recommended component of a training program. However, if an Advisory Committee is intended, provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the training program. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. Proposed Advisory Committee members should be named in the application if they have been invited to participate at the time the application is submitted. Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”.

The attachment titled "Advisory_Committee.pdf" must not exceed 2 pages in length.

The filename provided for each "Other Attachment" will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement

PHS 398 Training Subaward Budget Attachment(s)

PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan The PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan Form is comprised of the following sections:

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Particular attention must be given to the required International Training Data Tables. Applicants should summarize, in the body of the application, key data from the tables that highlight the characteristics of the prospective candidate pool, faculty mentors, the educational and career outcomes of past participants, and other factors that contribute to the overall environment of the program.

Training Program Program Plan Program Administration.

Describe the acknowledged strengths, leadership and administrative skills, training experience, scientific expertise, and active research of the PD/PI. Relate these strengths to the proposed management of the training program. Describe the planned strategy and administrative structure to be used to oversee and monitor the program. If there are multiple PDs/PIs, then the plan for Program Administration is expected to synergize with the Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan section of the application.

Institutions with existing programs must explain what distinguishes this program from the others, how their programs will synergize with one another, if applicable, and make it clear that the pool of faculty, potential scholars, and resources are robust enough to support additional programs. When a program administrator position is planned, a description of the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative capabilities essential to coordinate a program for developing investigators must be included in the application.

When a program director position is planned, in addition to the PD/PI, a description of the scientific expertise, leadership, and administrative capabilities essential to coordinating a program for developing investigators must be included in the application. Each application must describe in detail the organizational entity in which the program will be based. This may be a department, center, division, institute, or other organization as appropriate. If the home organization for the program is not authorized to confer academic degrees and the proposed training is to be degree-granting, the application should contain appropriate certifications from the leadership of the degree-granting unit(s) to the effect that the proposed curricula have been approved to enable students to earn the stipulated academic degrees. Applicants should not predicate their training plans on any degree-granting programs that are pending approval at the time of submission.

Program Faculty The application must include information about the program faculty who will be available to serve as preceptors/mentors and provide guidance and expertise appropriate to the level of trainees proposed in the application. Describe the complementary expertise and experiences of the proposed Program Faculty, including active research and other scholarly activities in which the faculty are engaged, as well as experience mentoring and training individuals at the proposed career stage(s). For any proposed Program Faculty lacking research training experience, describe a plan to ensure successful trainee guidance by these individuals. Describe the criteria used to appoint and remove faculty as Program Faculty and to evaluate their participation.

Each program must list separately a core faculty and any additional faculty members who will directly support the program as teachers of important courses or advisors to trainees.

Training Program Plan Applicants must propose innovative, adaptable training programs that respond to emerging trends in biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). The application should provide an overview of the proposed program, including its objectives and the activities that will be used to achieve them. Strong applications will describe how the curriculum integrates foundational principles with emerging advances, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and prepares trainees to address complex challenges in biomedical and health research. Applicants should also outline strategies to ensure that the curriculum remains current as science and technology evolve.

Applicants should describe the intended trainee population (e.g., predoctoral and/or postdoctoral), the academic and research background required for participation, and plans to accommodate differences in trainee preparation. The application should also describe the structure of the training program, including coursework, mentored research experiences, and activities designed to develop the technical and professional skills needed for research careers in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. Applicants should explain how trainees will gain an understanding of the human health– and disease–related context of their research.

The program must include a required core curriculum that provides foundational training in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. This core must include instruction in: principles of informatics, data science, and AI; quantitative methods (e.g., biostatistics or applied mathematics); relevant areas of computer science, engineering, or information sciences; and the design and conduct of rigorous, reproducible research. The core curriculum should be complemented by advanced coursework and mentored research in specific areas of focus proposed by the applicant, reflecting the strengths of the participating faculty and the goals of the training program. For all courses listed as part of the program that are not under the direct control of the principal investigator's home academic unit (e.g. his/her home department), applicants must document through appropriate letters that their trainees will have routine access to these courses.

Applicants must clearly describe the areas of focus that will shape the curriculum and research training within the program. These areas may reflect methodological specializations, biomedical or health research priorities, or other interdisciplinary topics relevant to biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. The application should explain how these focus areas are integrated into the curriculum and research experiences while maintaining a common foundational core shared by all trainees. Applicants should describe the goals and required components of the core curriculum, including courses and other structured learning experiences. Tables summarizing the proposed program of study are encouraged.

Trainees should participate in meaningful, supervised research experiences of increasing sophistication that culminate in an independent research project, which may be a thesis or dissertation. Applicants should describe how trainees identify and select research projects and provide examples of potential research rotations or projects. Programs must also describe how trainees will be instructed in the principles of rigorous and reproducible research in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI.

Applicants should describe experiences that integrate methodological training with the program's proposed areas of focus and outline activities that prepare trainees for a range of research career pathways in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. Trainees are expected to disseminate research findings at national scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. For courses offered outside the principal investigator's home academic unit, applicants must document that trainees will have reliable access to these courses.

In addition to the above, applicants that are requesting additional training slots from participating disease-focused institutes or NIH offices must also be responsive to research priorities which are specific to the intended secondary institute or NIH office. An informational webinar will be scheduled prior to the NOFO receipt date where participating IC representatives will explain research area priorities and responsiveness criteria in more detail. Please monitor The NLM Extramural Programs website (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/ep/index.html) for details regarding this webinar. These priorities are described in Section V.

Program Evaluation Applicants must present a comprehensive evaluation plan that combines holistic program-level assessment with granular tracking of trainee progress and outcomes. High-quality plans will specify how both qualitative and quantitative measures will be used to assess curriculum effectiveness, trainee competency development, mentoring quality, and long-term career impact (i.e., responsible alumni tracking). This plan should include the metrics to be evaluated (including program activities completed, degree completion (if applicable), publications, fellowships/honors, and subsequent positions) as well as plans to obtain feedback from current and former trainees to help identify weaknesses and to provide suggestions for program improvements. Specified evaluation metrics should be tied to the goals of the program.

Proposals should describe how evaluation findings will inform continuous improvement and demonstrate accountability for program goals. Ideally, applications would follow a well-established evaluation framework with coordinated measurement instruments and cadences to drive continuous improvement (e.g., CIPP, Kirkpatrick, IHI-'Plan-Do-Study-Act', etc.)

Trainee Candidates Describe, in general terms, the size and qualifications of the pool of trainee candidates, including information about the types of prior clinical and research training and career level required for the program. Do not name prospective trainees. Describe specific plans to recruit candidates and explain how these plans will be implemented. Describe the nomination and selection process to be used to select candidates who would be offered admission to the program and criteria for trainees' reappointment to the program.

The application should contain a description of how the individual development plan for each trainee will be tailored to the needs of the prospective candidates, taking into account their experiences and competencies. Applicants must describe any prerequisites that apply to all trainee candidates.

For renewal applications, highlight how the training program has evolved in response to changes in relevant scientific and technical knowledge, educational practices, and innovates with respect to evaluation of the training program.

Institutional Environment and Commitment to the Program The sponsoring institution must ensure support for the proposed program including assurance that sufficient time will be allowed for the PDs/PIs and other Program Faculty to contribute to the proposed program. The application must include a signed letter, on institutional letterhead, that describes the applicant institution's commitment to the planned program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program. This commitment may also include features such as PD/PI salary, stipend or tuition support for individuals involved in the proposed training program, or other commitments essential to a successful training program. Institutions with ongoing research training, student development, or career development programs that receive external funding should explain what distinguishes the proposed program from existing ones at the same trainee level, how the programs will synergize, if applicable, whether trainees are expected to transition from one support program to another, and how the training faculty, pool of potential trainees, and resources are sufficiently robust to support the proposed program in addition to existing ones.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Appendix:

Limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to the How to Apply - Application Guide instructions.

PHS Assignment Request Form

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 2. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times Part I. contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH's electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Policy on Late Application Submission.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372) This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The National Research Service Award (NRSA) policies apply to this program. An NRSA appointment may not be held concurrently with another Federally sponsored fellowship, traineeship, or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7.9.1 Selected Items of Cost. Note, however, that pre-award costs are not allowable charges for stipends or tuition/fees on institutional training grants because these costs may not be charged to the grant until a trainee has actually been appointed and the appropriate paperwork submitted to the NIH awarding component. Any additional costs associated with the decision to allow research elective credit for short-term research training are not allowable charges on an institutional training grant.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential fieldof the Senior/Key Person Profile form.Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization's profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

Mandatory Disclosure

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

Post Submission Materials Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system. While any information in the application relevant to the program goals can be included as part of the review process, the race, ethnicity, or sex of trainee candidates, trainees, or faculty may not be used as factors in the evaluation of applications.

For this particular NOFO, note the following:

Reviewers should evaluate the program's potential to:

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood that the proposed training program will equip the trainees with the skills, knowledge and experiences necessary to transition to successful careers in the biomedical research workforce, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed.)

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of the merit of the training program and give a separate score for each. When applicable, the reviewers will consider relevant questions in the context of proposed short-term training. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major biomedical research training impact.

Training Program and Environment

Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s))