October 1, 2024
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
The purpose of this Notice is to inform applicants of the NIH-wide changes to Institutional Training Grants and their impact on applications submitted to the NIGMS Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program and Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) T32 Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for due dates on and after January 25, 2025.
NIH is updating the SF424 (R&R) application guide and associated application forms for Institutional Training Grant applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2025. The major changes to training grant applications include:
NIH is also restructuring the review criteria such that plans for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity will contribute to the overall impact score.
See NOT-OD-24-129 and the Updates to NIH Institutional Training Grant Applications web page for more details.
NIGMS already incorporates mentor training expectations into training grant applications and includes the Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity as Additional Review Criteria that contribute to the overall impact score and so these changes do not impact NIGMS Training Grant applications.
The changes that impact NIGMS T32 applications include:
The following is detailed information about the modifications to the NOFO.
Current Language (Note: the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity is currently included in the Other Attachments section; as described below, it will be moved to the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan form)
Other Attachments: Please include a header or footer label on each page of the other attachments with the corresponding material title.
The following two attachments must be included, or the application will not be reviewed:
1. Baseline Data on the Trainee Pool: The application must provide baseline data on the characteristics of the trainee pool. The data must reflect the training grant eligible individuals who further the goals of the proposed research training program. The data serve as a basis for review of planned activities, including recruitment. The number of training grant eligible candidates will be used to determine the appropriate budget and number of funded positions. NIGMS will use the data provided in a manner consistent with applicable law.
Please name the file Baseline_Data_Trainee_Pool.pdf.
2. Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity (3-page maximum): The applicant must provide a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. Baseline data on the trainee pool should inform the recruitment plans. Include outreach strategies and activities designed to recruit potential training program candidates who are from underrepresented groups, for example students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds (see Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity). Additionally, literature shows that women from these backgrounds face particular challenges at the graduate level and beyond in scientific fields. Applicants are encouraged to consult the NIGMS web page for strategies to enhance diversity in training programs when designing their plans. Describe the specific efforts to be undertaken by the training program and how these might coordinate with trainee recruitment efforts of the organization. Centralized organizational efforts alone will not satisfy the requirement to recruit prospective trainees from diverse groups. Participating faculty are expected to be actively involved in recruitment efforts. Please name the file Recruitment_Plan.pdf.
Revised language (the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity is removed and changes are noted in bold italics):
Other Attachments: Please include a header or footer label on each page of the other attachments with the corresponding material title.
The following attachment must be included, or the application will not be reviewed:
1. Baseline Data on the Trainee Pool. The application must provide baseline data on the characteristics of the trainee pool. The data must reflect the training grant eligible individuals who further the goals of the proposed research training program. The data serve as a basis for review of planned activities, including recruitment. The number of training grant eligible candidates will be used to determine the appropriate budget and number of funded positions. NIGMS will use the data provided in a manner consistent with applicable law.
Please name the file Baseline_Data_Trainee_Pool.pdf.
The following language is inserted in the Training Program Section of the application. For applications using FORMS-I, this information will be included as part of Attachment 3.
Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity
Applicants are required to comply with the instructions for the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, along with the following additional instructions:
Baseline data on the trainee pool should inform the recruitment plans. Applicants are encouraged to consult the NIGMS web page for strategies to enhance diversity in training programs when designing their plans.
All other aspects of the NOFO remain the same.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program:
Mercedes Rubio, Ph.D.
National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: rubiome@mail.nih.gov
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP):
Miles Fabian, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: miles.fabian@nih.gov
Andrea Keane-Myers, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: andrea.keane-myers@nih.gov