Biomedical Research and Research Training

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS also supports rese

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

NIGMS trainees must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.

Any nonprofit or for-profit organization, company or institution engaged in biomedical research.

NIGMS is organized into divisions that support research, research training, and research capacity building in a range of scientific fields. Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences: Facilitates advances in basic biomedical research by supporting the development of experimental and computational methods and tools for understanding biology; implementation of novel technologies and approaches in the study of macromolecular, organelle, and cellular structure and function; and application of innovative physical and theoretical methodologies, bioinformatics tools, and quantitative approaches to lay a foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology: Supports research to understand the structure and function of cells and cellular components and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie inheritance, gene expression, and development. In most cases, research whose overall goal is to gain knowledge about a specific organ or organ system or the pathophysiology, treatment, or cure of a specific disease or condition is not supported by this division. Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry: Supports a broad spectrum of research aimed at improving the molecular-level understanding of biological processes and approaches to their control. Research funded takes a multifaceted approach to problems in pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, and biological chemistry that are very fundamental in nature. The Division also supports research in specific clinical areas that affect multiple organ systems: anesthesiology and peri-operative pain; clinical pharmacology common to multiple drugs and treatments; and injury, critical illness, sepsis, and wound healing. NIGMS supports a variety of research opportunities including fellowships, career development awards, research grants, technology development awards, and small business grants. Division for Research Capacity Building: Administers the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program that supports research, research workforce development, and research infrastructure improvement in states where levels of NIH funding have historically been low. The Division also funds federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and organizations for health research, career and infrastructure enhancement activities; supports research capacity building at eligible institutions of higher education across the U.S. through funding investigator-initiated biomedical research; and funds educational activities for students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 to ensure that students and teachers have the opportunity to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Division of Training and Workforce Development: Supports programs that foster the training and development of a strong biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, faculty, and institutional levels.

Almost all awards are made for at least 1 year, with additional support (up to 4 more years) depending on the recommendation of the scientific review group, the national advisory council, successful annual performance, and availability of funds.

All accepted applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate initial review group and by a national advisory council. The goal of NIGMS funding policies is to maximize the scientific impact of investments in investigator-initiated biomedical research to drive fundamental scientific discoveries that advance understanding of human health and disease. To address this goal, the Institute strives to support a broad portfolio of research grants of high scientific and technical merit, as determined by peer review, in its mission areas. However, in deciding to fund any application, NIGMS staff also considers other factors, including (consistent with applicable law): the breadth of the Institute's research portfolio; approaches, and investigators; the total amount of funding available to the investigator; the priority of the research area for the Institute's mission; Early-stage investigator status; At-risk investigator status​;​ and whether the PI would have more than one NIGMS funded R01 (including multi-PI R01s). Because these factors are considered, NIGMS does not have a "payline" or strict cutoff in scores that it will fund. It is important to understand that even applications with outstanding scores might not be funded if the investigator already has substantial other support. Because NIGMS prioritizes funding for meritorious investigators who otherwise would not have support over providing additional grants to already well-funded investigators, the Institute is unlikely to award more than one NIGMS R01 to a PI (including multi-PI R01s)​. In accordance with our Strategic Plan, NIGMS generally prioritizes funding the MIRA program over R01 awards.

In calculating budgets for grants, NIGMS staff considers each budget carefully and takes into account the science being conducted, the other support for the PI's lab, the Institute's budget, and other factors. PIs should not assume that they will be awarded the amount recommended by the study section. To fund as broad ​a portfolio of meritorious investigators as soon as possible and to improve overall returns on investments, NIGMS pays close attention to budget levels and gives large budget increases only in highly compelling cases. Applicants are encourage​d to contact NIGMS program staff​ with questions

Application due dates are provided in each notice of funding opportunity.

Project Grants: about 9 months. NRSA: (institutional) 9-12 months, (individual) 6 months. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR): about 6 months.

Determined as part of the NOFO. Renewal grants are generally made prior to the expiration of any current award.

A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH website at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html.