Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity.

Program Summary

The goal of the Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program is to develop a diverse pool of scientists earning a Ph.D. who have the skills to successfully transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

The Overarching Objective of this Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program is to develop a diverse pool of well-trained biomedical scientists who will transition from master鈥檚 degree programs and complete rigorous biomedical, research-focused doctoral degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) in biomedical fields relevant to the . The long-term goal is to develop a diverse pool of well-trained biomedical scientists, who have the following technical, operational, and professional skills:

  • A broad understanding across biomedical disciplines and the skills to independently acquire the knowledge needed to advance their chosen fields;
  • Expertise in a biomedical scientific discipline and the skills to think critically and independently, and to identify important biomedical research questions and approaches that push forward the boundaries of their areas of study;
  • A strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative and computational approaches, and data analysis and interpretation;
  • The skills to conduct research in the safest manner possible, and a commitment to approaching and conducting biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity;
  • Experience initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction;
  • The ability to work effectively in teams with colleagues from a variety of cultural and scientific backgrounds, and to promote inclusive and supportive scientific research environments;
  • The skills to teach and communicate scientific research methodologies and findings to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., discipline-specific, across disciplines, and the public); and
  • The knowledge, professional skills and experiences required to identify and transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce (i.e., the breadth of careers that sustain biomedical research in areas that are relevant to the NIH mission).

Diversity at all levels鈥攆rom the kinds of science to the regions in which it is conducted to the backgrounds of the people conducting it鈥� contributes to excellence in research training environments and strengthens the research enterprise. This FOA is intended to support outstanding research training programs that will enhance diversity in the biomedical research workforce. As part of NIGMS鈥� strategy to support the development of a diverse pool of well-trained biomedical scientists across the training pathway, the Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program will support trainees enrolled full-time at institutions with terminal master鈥檚 degrees in the biomedical sciences to transition into and complete biomedically relevant Ph.D. programs within partnering research-intensive institutions.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST July 25, 2022

Sponsor Application Deadline: 5:00pm MT September 27, 2022

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Summary (3 pages maximum): Please include the following elements: mission, objectives, rationale, design of research training program, and a brief overview of the recruitment plan to enhance diversity. Highlight key activities in the training plan that promote skills development and the successful transition from a two-year into a four-year institution and completion of a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a biomedical field. Indicate the intended trainee outcomes.
  • PI Biographical Sketch
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit: 听

Eligibility

The applicant and partner institution(s) must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program should be detailed in the Institutional Support Letter in the Letters of Support attachment. Additionally, a signed letter is required from a Provost or similar official with institution-wide responsibility verifying the eligibility of the applicant and partner institutions at the time of application submission according to the eligibility criteria indicated above. See the application instructions for the required 鈥淟etters of Support鈥� instructions in

At least one of the training PDs/PIs should be an established investigator in the biomedical sciences and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. Additional PD(s)/PI(s), including individuals with experience in the science of education, relevant social science disciplines, program evaluation, mentoring, and university administration may be included to achieve the training goals. Any of the PDs/PIs at the applicant institution may serve as the contact PD/PI.

Limited Submission Guidelines

An institution is not allowed to serve as the applicant institution on more than one Bridges the Doctorate Research Training Program.

Award Information

Award Amount: Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Award Duration: Up to 5 years

Review Criteria

Please consider NIH鈥檚 specific review as the proposal is developed. The internal review committee will use these criteria as a guide when evaluating internal proposals.