The
Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) R25 funds innovative, educational activities to equip participants with technical, operational, or professional skills required for careers in the biomedical research workforce. The proposed activities must be open to the broader biomedical research community and may focus on participants at one or more career stages from undergraduates to professionals (e.g., faculty, staff scientists).
Applications must have a focus on one or more of the following:
Courses for Skills Development: In-person or virtual courses designed to develop the skills necessary for biomedical research workforce careers. For example, courses where participants develop technical, operational, and/or professional skills.
Curriculum or Methods Development: Such as activities where participants develop or enhance curriculum, methods, novel instructional approaches, or computer-based tools that are intended to improve biomedical research education at numerous organizations.
Mentoring Activities: Such as activities where participants are trained as mentors; or where participants receive advice, insight, and professional career skills training appropriate to their career stage as part of a mentoring network or similar formal mentoring structure. The typical informal mentoring activities associated with research experience programs and courses for skills development are assumed to be an integral part of those activities, and therefore, do not typically merit the selection of “Mentoring” as a separate activity.
FUNDING INFORMATION: Up to $500,000 per year in direct costs for five years ($2.5M total).
ELIGIBILITY
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)). The PD(s)/PI(s) should be capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. They will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.
Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution.
INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS
BU may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by May 27, 2026.
- Program Statement (500 words max) describing the research education program, the population it intends to serve, and how it will advance the development of a strong biomedical research workforce. Any necessary references may be included provided they fit into the submission text box.
- List of Sr/Key Personnel and a 1-2 sentence description of what they would contribute to the proposed project.
- Up-to-date Biosketch of the PD(s)/PI(s) in SciENcv format (see guidance on how to prepare that here).
As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).
DEADLINES
- Internal Materials Due: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
- Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
- External Materials Due: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy
BACK TO TOP↑