Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 037
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (T32) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant opportunity, administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), focused on strengthening the Ph.D. training pipeline in biomedical research. Its central purpose is to help institutions build and run high-quality, evidence-based training and mentoring programs that produce a diverse group of Ph.D. scientists who are well prepared to move into the biomedical research workforce. The program is framed around a long-term national goal: increasing diversity among biomedical research scientists so that the workforce better reflects the Nation and is equipped to tackle a wide range of health-related research needs.
The opportunity supports structured institutional training programs rather than individual fellowships. Applicants are expected to design training environments that keep pace with the rapidly changing research enterprise, meaning programs should be intentional, modern, and grounded in approaches that are shown to work. NIGMS indicates that strong IMSD programs typically integrate three major components: didactic training (coursework and structured learning that builds foundational and emerging scientific competencies), hands-on research experiences (rigorous research engagement under strong mentorship), and career development activities (professional skills, career exploration, and preparation for successful transitions into biomedical research careers). The underlying idea is that trainees should not only gain technical research expertise, but also develop the broader competencies and professional readiness needed for long-term impact in health-related research fields.
Eligibility is a major defining feature of this FOA. The IMSD (T32) described here is limited to training programs housed at research-intensive institutions. Specifically, eligible programs must be at institutions with a three-year average of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding at or above $7.5 million in total costs, which is used as a threshold to ensure the institution has a robust research environment and sustained NIH-funded activity. While the FOA is restricted to domestic (U.S.) applicant institutions, it also highlights that a variety of U.S.-based organizational types may apply when they meet the program requirements. These include, among others, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the announcement clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.
From the administrative details provided, this is a discretionary grant mechanism with activity in the health category and is associated with CFDA number 93.859. The funding opportunity title is "Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (T32)," and the funding opportunity number is PAR-19-037. The sponsoring agency is NIH, with the opportunity created on October 25, 2018, and an original closing date listed as November 20, 2020. The source text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which suggests applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for budget structure, allowable costs, trainee slots, and other award parameters typical of T32 institutional training grants.
Overall, the IMSD (T32) program is aimed at institutions that can demonstrate both a strong research base and a thoughtful, evidence-informed plan for training and mentoring Ph.D. scientists. The emphasis is on comprehensive training design, measurable preparation for career transitions, and sustained contributions to diversifying the biomedical research workforce in ways that align with national health-related research priorities.Apply for PAR 19 037
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (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 2018-10-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-20. (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.
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IMSD (T32) (PAR-19-037) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the IMSD (T32) program?
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (T32) is an NIH institutional training grant opportunity administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). It supports institutions in building and operating high-quality, evidence-based Ph.D. training and mentoring programs in biomedical research.
What is the main purpose of this training grant?
The central purpose is to strengthen the Ph.D. training pipeline in biomedical research by helping institutions create structured training environments that develop well-prepared Ph.D. scientists for the biomedical research workforce.
Is this an individual fellowship or an institutional program grant?
This opportunity supports structured institutional training programs rather than individual fellowships. The focus is on the institution designing and running a cohesive training and mentoring program.
What is the long-term national goal behind IMSD (T32)?
The program is framed around increasing diversity among biomedical research scientists so the workforce better reflects the Nation and is prepared to address a wide range of health-related research needs.
Which NIH institute administers this opportunity?
The IMSD (T32) opportunity described here is administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What training elements are typical of strong IMSD programs?
NIGMS indicates that strong IMSD programs typically integrate three major components:
- Didactic training: Coursework and structured learning that builds foundational and emerging scientific competencies.
- Hands-on research experiences: Rigorous research engagement under strong mentorship.
- Career development activities: Professional skills development, career exploration, and preparation for successful transitions into biomedical research careers.
What does "evidence-based" mean in the context of this FOA?
Based on the description provided, applicants are expected to design intentional, modern training and mentoring environments grounded in approaches that are shown to work. The emphasis is on training practices that are supported by evidence rather than informal or ad hoc activities.
What kinds of outcomes is the IMSD (T32) program aiming for?
The program aims for trainees to gain technical research expertise and broader competencies and professional readiness needed for long-term impact in health-related biomedical research fields, including being well prepared to transition into the biomedical research workforce.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to training programs housed at research-intensive domestic (U.S.) institutions that meet the specified NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding threshold described in the announcement.
What qualifies as a "research-intensive" institution for this IMSD (T32) opportunity?
Eligible programs must be located at institutions with a three-year average of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding at or above $7.5 million in total costs. This threshold is intended to ensure a robust research environment and sustained NIH-funded activity.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?
No. The announcement states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization apply if part of the program will be run outside the United States?
No. The announcement indicates that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
What types of U.S.-based organizations may apply (if they meet the requirements)?
The announcement indicates that a variety of domestic organizational types may apply when they meet program requirements. Examples listed include:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories or possessions
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-19-037.
What is the official title of the opportunity?
The title is Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (T32).
What grant mechanism/activity type is this?
It is described as a discretionary grant mechanism and specifically a T32 institutional training grant activity.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.859.
What is the category of this grant?
The opportunity is associated with the health category.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date listed?
The opportunity was created on October 25, 2018, and the original closing date listed is November 20, 2020.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
Does the provided information explain the budget structure, allowable costs, or number of trainee slots?
No. The description notes that applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for details such as budget structure, allowable costs, trainee slots, and other award parameters typical of T32 institutional training grants.
What is the overall emphasis of the IMSD (T32) program?
The emphasis is on comprehensive, structured training design; measurable preparation for career transitions; and sustained contributions to diversifying the biomedical research workforce, supported by a strong institutional research base.
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