National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Bridges to the Baccalaureate (T34) | PAR 19 299

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 299

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Bridges to the Baccalaureate (T34) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-299) is a discretionary NIH training grant designed to help community college students successfully transfer into a four-year institution and complete a bachelors degree in biomedical research fields. The core aim is to build a structured, supportive pathway that reduces common barriers during the transfer transition and increases the number of students who persist to graduation in disciplines that feed the biomedical research workforce. In practice, the program is meant to move beyond ad hoc advising or isolated internships by putting in place an organized set of training experiences that intentionally prepare students for the academic expectations, research culture, and career options associated with biomedical science.

A central feature of this program is the required partnership model. Applicants must propose a collaboration between a two-year, associate degree-granting institution (such as a community college) and a four-year college or university that awards the baccalaureate degree. The grant supports the design and implementation of evidence-based training and mentoring approaches that reflect the realities of a rapidly changing research enterprise, meaning programs should be contemporary in how they teach research skills, responsible conduct, data handling, communication, and career readiness. NIGMS anticipates that competitive programs will integrate multiple components rather than relying on a single activity. These components typically include didactic elements (coursework or structured instruction that strengthens foundational knowledge and study skills), hands-on research experiences (exposure to real research settings and methods), robust mentoring (consistent guidance from faculty and near-peer mentors), and career development (exploration of biomedical careers, transfer preparation, and professional skill-building).

The opportunity is categorized under the NIH health funding activity area (CFDA 93.859) and uses the grant funding instrument type. It is open to eligible domestic institutions of higher education, including public or state-controlled and private institutions, with explicit inclusion of several institution types that often serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research. These 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, the eligibility rules are clear that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions cannot apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.

From a research compliance standpoint, the FOA draws a boundary around clinical trials involvement for trainees. Appointed trainees are not permitted to lead an independent clinical trial, which aligns with the training-focused nature of the mechanism and the experience level of the participants. However, trainees may gain research experience within a clinical trial that is led by a mentor or co-mentor, allowing exposure to clinical research environments and methods under appropriate supervision while maintaining the intent of the program as a mentored training pipeline rather than an independent investigator award.

Administrative details in the source information note that the opportunity was created on 2019-06-17 and lists an original closing date of 2021-09-27. The source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so those specifics would normally be confirmed by reviewing the full FOA text and any associated NIH budget guidance. Overall, this program is best understood as an institutional training partnership grant focused on strengthening transfer success, research preparation, mentoring quality, and degree completion for community college students headed toward biomedical research bachelors programs, with training activities intentionally designed to be structured, scalable, and grounded in approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Bridges to the Baccalaureate (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 2019-06-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 19 299

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