Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) (T34) | PAR 19 218

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 218

The Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) (T34) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program run through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Its central purpose is to help institutions build strong undergraduate research training programs that increase the number of students who finish a bachelors degree and successfully move into, and complete, research-intensive biomedical graduate training such as a Ph.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. A major emphasis of U-RISE is strengthening the biomedical research pipeline by expanding access and outcomes for students from a wide range of backgrounds, with the broader aim of developing a more diverse and well-prepared future scientific workforce.

This opportunity supports the design and implementation of structured, evidence-based training and mentoring approaches that reflect how quickly the biomedical research landscape is changing. In practical terms, NIGMS is looking for programs that do more than place students in labs. Competitive programs are expected to combine multiple elements into a coherent training experience, including didactic components (such as coursework, workshops, or skill-building sessions), substantial hands-on research experiences, intentional mentoring structures, and career development activities. The intended result is that trainees graduate not only with research exposure, but also with the preparation, confidence, and professional development needed to be strong applicants and successful students in research-focused higher degree programs.

Eligibility is focused on domestic, research-active institutions, but with a specific cap meant to target institutions with more modest NIH research funding. The program is limited to training programs at research-active institutions whose three-year average of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding is less than $7.5 million in total costs. This limitation signals a priority for building capacity and high-quality undergraduate research training at institutions that may not have the same scale of NIH funding as larger research powerhouses, while still maintaining an active research environment capable of supporting meaningful undergraduate training.

A broad range of applicant organizations can be eligible under the announcement. In addition to public and private institutions of higher education, eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; certain Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights categories of institutions and organizations often associated with serving specific communities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA draws clear boundaries around foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In other words, the applicant organization and the supported program components must be U.S.-based.

From the source details provided, the opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category, with CFDA number 93.859. The funding opportunity number is PAR-19-218, and the record shows a creation date of March 12, 2019, with an original closing date of February 18, 2021. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means prospective applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidelines for the T34 mechanism to understand allowable costs, typical award sizes, and budgeting requirements.

Overall, U-RISE (T34) is best understood as an institutional training grant meant to help eligible U.S. institutions create comprehensive undergraduate biomedical research training programs that are structured, mentored, and outcomes-oriented, with a clear end goal: more students completing college and progressing into, and finishing, research-focused biomedical graduate degrees.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) (T34)" 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 2019-03-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-02-18. (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.

Apply for PAR 19 218

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