New Bridges to the Doctorate Funding Opportunity and Upcoming Webinar

UPDATE: The video and slides [PDF] from this webinar are now available.

We’re pleased to announce that the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Bridges to the Doctorate (B2D) program has been reissued (PAR-24-232). This NOFO aims to promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce by strengthening research training environments and expanding the pool of well-trained master’s students who transition into and complete biomedical Ph.D.s. NIGMS expects organizations to engage in outreach and recruitment activities to encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to participate in this program.

First application due date: September 27, 2024
Earliest start date: August 2025

The new NOFO has some changes from the previous version, including:

• Changes to instructions in the Other Attachments and Appendix section.
  • The number of required other attachments is reduced:
    • Only two attachments are required: the baseline data on the trainee pool and recruitment plan to enhance diversity.
    • Two attachments are optional: advisory committee and training activities.
    • All other attachments from the previous NOFO are eliminated. Please note that no other attachments are allowed, or the application will be withdrawn without review.
  • Requirements for appendices have been eliminated. Applications may only contain appendices that are allowed according to the SF424 Application Guide. Applications that contain any additional appendices will be withdrawn without review.
  • Applicants may incorporate information previously allowed in the other attachments and appendices (for example, retention plans, trainee data collection and storage, conflict resolution protocols) into the training program plan as indicated in the NOFO.
• Changes to the number of required letters of support.
  • The application now requires a single letter of support (instead of two). This letter should address both organizational eligibility and organizational support for the program and be signed by officials from all partner organizations.
• Changes to the types of applications allowed.
  • Resubmission applications are only accepted for renewal applications.
  • Applicants whose previous applications were unsuccessful can apply again by submitting another new application. In this situation, applicants are encouraged to use constructive feedback from the previous review while following the instructions for new applications (not those for resubmissions).
• Budget section updates.
  • Training-related expenses (TREs) have been increased to $12,500/trainee. Clarification has been provided that the grant does not set firm limits for allowable TRE-associated costs (for example, salary support or evaluation costs).
• Change to eligible organizations.
  • This program continues to require strong partnerships between at least two postsecondary educational organizations: one that supports training at the master’s degree level (master’s training organization), and a separate organization that supports biomedical Ph.D. training (Ph.D. training organization).
  • Master’s training organizations can include:
    • Organizations where the master’s degree is the highest biomedically related research degree offered.
    • Historically Black colleges and universities and Tribally controlled colleges and universities, including those that offer biomedical Ph.D.s.
  • Ph.D. training organizations can include any organization that offers Ph.D.s in biomedically relevant fields (no longer limited to research-intensive organizations [PDF]).
• New language to clarify that training programs are typically not considered human subjects research.
• Research training program-specific instructions in the Facilities and Other Resources section.

Participants requiring sign language interpretation and/or other reasonable accommodations should submit a request using our contact form at least 5 days prior to the meeting.

NIGMS Staff Participating in the August 8 Webinar:

• Sydella Blatch Alexander, B2D Program Officer
• Jeremy McIntyre, B2D Program Officer
• Adam Barnhart, Senior Grants Management Specialist
• Marci Wright, Scientific Review Officer

If you have any questions about the funding announcement or the upcoming webinar, please refer to our FAQs page and contact Sydella Blatch Alexander or Jeremy McIntyre.

The webinar and presentation slides will be posted on the B2D program webpage following the event.

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