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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant, the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32), aims to develop a pool of highly skilled clinician-scientist leaders in the United States. Its core objective is to support eligible domestic organizations in establishing and running dual-degree training programs (e.g., M.D./Ph.D.) to prepare individuals for careers in biomedical research and clinical medicine. The program focuses on training future leaders who can translate scientific advances into improved human health, with particular emphasis on optimizing training efficiency, fostering persistence in research careers, and enhancing the clinician-scientist workforce. This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, targeting the healthcare and biomedical research sectors. The primary target recipients are U.S. domestic organizations capable of hosting robust, integrated clinical and graduate research training programs. The grant supports institutions that can recruit and train predoctoral students pursuing dual clinical and research doctorate degrees. While the grant does not directly fund independent clinical trials led by trainees, it encourages research experience in mentor-led clinical trials. Key filtering criteria: Must be a U.S. organization, capable of running a dual-degree (clinical + Ph.D.) training program, and focused on biomedical research. The grant operates on multiple application cycles, indicating a recurring program within the broader Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) framework.

Financial Structure

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32) operates on a grant funding model with specific financial guidelines:

Budget Range and Limitations: Application budgets are not limited by a specific cap or floor; however, they must accurately reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. There is no specified total budget for the call, nor minimum or maximum grant amounts per application.
Eligible Costs: Grant funds primarily cover costs directly related to trainee support and program operations:
- Stipends: As a subsistence allowance for appointed trainees, at NIH-approved NRSA levels.
- Tuition and Fees: NIH contributes to combined costs at rates in place at the time of award.
- Training Related Expenses: These include health insurance, staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research supplies, and faculty/staff travel directly related to the research training program.
- Trainee Travel: Up to $300 USD per trainee for scientific meetings and workshops deemed necessary for their training.
Ineligible Costs: Funds cannot be used for:
- Pre-award costs for stipends or tuition/fees (as these are only allowable once a trainee is appointed).
- Additional costs for allowing research elective credit for short-term research training.
- Funds should not be used solely as financial aid for trainees.
Matching Fund/Co-financing Requirements: This funding opportunity does not require cost sharing as defined by NIH. However, NIGMS typically provides only a portion of the support for the trainees. Institutions are expected to demonstrate organizational commitment to ensure trainees are supported financially throughout their entire dual-degree program (e.g., supplementing NRSA stipends, providing institutional funds for non-NRSA eligible students).
Indirect Cost Policy: Indirect Costs (Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (excluding tuition/fees, consortium costs over $25,000, and equipment expenditures), rather than a negotiated rate.
Financial Reporting: Recipients are required to submit annual Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR), provide expenditure data in the Federal Financial Report, submit Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each trainee, and Payback Agreement Form (PHS Form 6031) for postdoctoral trainees. A final RPPR, expenditure data, and Termination Notices for all trainees are required for closeout.
Currency: All monetary amounts are in United States Dollars (USD).

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32), organizations must meet stringent criteria:

Organization Types: Eligible entities include:
- Higher Education Institutions: Public/State Controlled and Private Institutions.
- Nonprofits: With or without 501(c)(3) IRS status (excluding higher education institutions).
- Governmental Entities: Local Governments (including Federally Recognized and Other Indian/Native American Tribal Governments), Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government, and U.S. Territories or Possessions.
- Other: Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) and Faith-based or Community-based Organizations.
Geographic Location: Only U.S. domestic organizations are eligible. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations cannot apply.
Registrations: All applicant organizations must complete and maintain active registrations with the System for Award Management (SAM), obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (or NCAGE code for foreign entities, though foreign entities are ineligible to apply), and register with eRA Commons and Grants.gov. These registrations must be active before application submission.
Organizational Capacity: The sponsoring institution must demonstrate strong commitment and support for the proposed program, including financial backing for trainees beyond NRSA funds, access to student support services, and salary/protected time for key administrative staff.
Application Limits: Only one MSTP application per institution (identified by UEI and NIH eRA IPF number) is accepted.
Previous Funder Relationship: Application type depends on prior funding:
- Renewal Applications: Only accepted if the program was previously funded through NIGMS funding announcements PAR-19-036 or PAR-21-189.
- New Applications: For organizations that do not currently have an MSTP, or administered an NIGMS MSTP funded through a parent grant announcement (e.g., PA-16-152, PA-18-403).
Exclusion Criteria: Applications will not be accepted if they:
- Are submitted through the NIGMS Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences T32 (PAR-23-228) or any subsequent reissuance.
- Are submitted through the Parent T32 funding opportunity announcement (PA-23-048) or any subsequent reissuances.
- Propose short-term research training.
- Include combined predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs.
Eligible Individuals (Trainees): Must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the U.S. or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. They must pursue full-time research training (normally 40 hours/week) and be enrolled in a program leading to a combined clinical degree and a Ph.D. (e.g., M.D./Ph.D., D.O./Ph.D., D.D.S./Ph.D., Pharm.D./Ph.D.). Trainees may receive up to six years of aggregate Kirschstein-NRSA support at the predoctoral level for dual-degree training.

Application Process

Applying for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32) requires careful adherence to specific procedures and deadlines: Application Deadlines and Timeline Applications are accepted on multiple cycles throughout the year. The latest application due date is January 25, 2027, by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Other deadlines for new, renewal, and resubmission (for renewal applications only) include: * May 25, 2024 * September 25, 2024 * January 25, 2025 * May 25, 2025 * September 25, 2025 * January 25, 2026 * May 25, 2026 * September 25, 2026 If a due date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the deadline automatically extends to the next business day. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit early to allow time for error correction. Submission Process Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants can prepare and submit their applications using: * NIH ASSIST system * An institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution * Grants.gov Workspace After submission, applicants must track their application status in eRA Commons. Required Documentation and Materials Applicants must follow the Training (T) Instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with program-specific modifications. Key required documents include: * SF424(R&R) forms * Organizational Support Letter: A signed letter on letterhead from a President, Provost, Dean, or similar key leader, outlining institutional commitment and resources. This is mandatory; absence will lead to the application being considered incomplete. * Training Data Tables: Mandatory for New or Renewal applications, providing key data on eligible trainees, faculty, organizational support, and outcomes. Additional tables are not allowed in this attachment. * Program Plan: A detailed narrative describing the rationale, mission, objectives, administrative structure, curriculum, career development, program oversight, PD/PI leadership, preceptor/mentor roles, candidate review process, trainee appointments/financial support, trainee outcomes, and program evaluation plan. * Biosketches: For PDs/PIs and participating faculty, including personal statements on commitment to rigor, training, and supportive environments. * Budget Justification: Stating the number of requested funded trainee slots per year and justification within the context of total students, faculty, and other NIGMS grants. * Other Attachments (Optional): * Advisory Committee: A plan for an optional Advisory Committee (1-page maximum). * Training Activities: Brief descriptions of unique courses, workshops, and activities specific to the MSTP program (10-page maximum). Review Process and Selection Applications undergo a two-tiered review process: 1. Scientific Review Group: Peer review conducted by NIGMS. 2. National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council: Second level of review. Funding decisions consider scientific and technical merit, availability of funds, relevance to program priorities, and geographic/institutional distribution. The race, ethnicity, or sex of trainee applicants, trainees, or faculty are not considered in the review or funding decisions. Types of Support Offered This grant provides financial funding (stipends, tuition, training expenses). The primary support mechanism is an institutional grant (T32) to foster training programs, rather than direct individual support. This implicitly includes mentorship, networking, resources, research and development opportunities, and capacity building through the program's structure. Post-Award Requirements and Compliance

Annual Reporting: Recipients must submit annual Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR).
Trainee Reporting: Institutions must submit a Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each trainee and a Payback Agreement Form (PHS Form 6031) for postdoctoral trainees. A Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7) is required within 30 days of a trainee's support ending.
Data Management and Sharing: Recipients will be required to adhere to NIH's Data Management and Sharing requirements if applicable to the award.
FFATA Reporting: Recipients of Federal grants must report information about first-tier subawards over $25,000 USD to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).
Integrity and Performance: Recipients must report information about civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings in the System for Award Management (SAM) and FAPIIS.
NRSA Payback Obligation: Kirschstein-NRSA recipients incur a service payback obligation for the first 12 months of postdoctoral support, which institutions must explain to prospective trainees.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32) are rigorously evaluated based on scientific and technical merit, considering several key criteria: Overall Impact Score Reviewers assign an overall impact score based on how well the proposed integrated training program will prepare clinician-scientist leaders for successful, productive scientific research careers that use the dual-degree to advance research for the nation's health needs. This includes assessing the program's ability to foster: * Broad understanding across biomedical disciplines. * Independent knowledge acquisition and critical thinking to identify important biomedical research questions. * Strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative/computational approaches, and data analysis. * Skills to conduct research safely, responsibly, ethically, and with integrity. * Experience in initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research. * Ability to integrate research and clinical activities and translate scientific findings. * Leadership skills to promote health for all, reduce health disparities, and improve health for the medically underserved. * Teamwork skills and ability to promote safe and supportive research environments. * Communication skills for diverse audiences. * Knowledge and skills to transition into relevant biomedical research workforce careers. Scored Review Criteria Reviewers assign separate scores for the following: * Training Program and Environment: This assesses the quality, rigor, and design of the proposed training program, including curriculum, mentoring practices, and the overall supportive nature of the environment. Additional Review Criteria (Not Scored, but Considered) Reviewers will evaluate these aspects, which contribute to the overall merit, but do not receive separate scores: * Protections for Human Subjects: Generally not applicable for the training program itself. * Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan: Generally not applicable for the training program itself. * Vertebrate Animals: Generally not applicable for the training program itself. * Biohazards: Generally not applicable for the training program itself. * Resubmissions: Evaluation considers responses to previous comments and improvements made. * Renewals: Assesses implementation of previously proposed activities, results of program evaluations (including identification of shortcomings and plans to address them), evidence of program success in meeting objectives, and impact/dissemination of outcomes. * Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility: Evaluates the plan for training in scientific reasoning, rigorous design, relevant methods, quantitative approaches, and data analysis/interpretation. Assesses integration into curriculum and faculty reinforcement. * Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): Evaluates the RCR plan's five required components: Format (must include face-to-face interaction), Subject Matter (broad selection), Faculty Participation (active role), Duration (at least eight contact hours), and Frequency (at least once per career stage/every four years). Assesses integration into curriculum and faculty reinforcement. Additional Review Considerations (Not Scored, Not Included in Overall Impact Score)

Budget and Period of Support: Reviewers assess if the budget and requested duration are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed training program and the number of trainee positions, considering the eligible pool, program size, faculty, and other NIGMS-funded programs.

Compliance & Special Requirements

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (T32) has several critical compliance and special requirements: Regulatory and Legal Compliance

NIH Grants Policy Statement: All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
NRSA Policies: The National Research Service Award (NRSA) policies specifically apply, governing stipends, tuition, and payback obligations.
Federal Regulations: Awards are made under Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 288) and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 66.
OMB Cost Principles: Expenditures must conform with OMB Cost Principles.
SF424 (R&R) Application Guide: Strict adherence to instructions and format is required for application submission.
Registrations: Mandatory active registrations in SAM, UEI, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov before application submission.
Non-discrimination: Recipients must comply with all applicable nondiscrimination laws and submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690).

Data Protection and Ethical Standards

Data Management and Sharing: If applicable, recipients must adhere to the 2023 NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and implement an approved plan.
Secure Data Storage: A strategy for secure storage and preservation of program data and outcomes is required, ensuring centralization, safeguarding, and retrievability.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): Applicants must provide a plan for RCR instruction that is well-integrated into the curriculum, taught at multiple stages and in various formats (including face-to-face interaction), covers a broad subject matter, involves faculty participation, meets minimum duration (at least eight contact hours), and frequency (at least once per career stage/every four years).
Ethical Practice: Commitment to conducting biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity, and promoting safe and supportive research environments free from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation.
Scientific Rigor and Reproducibility: The program must include instruction in scientific reasoning, rigorous experimental design, relevant methods, quantitative approaches, and data analysis/interpretation to enhance reproducibility.

Institutional and Programmatic Requirements

Organizational Commitment: Required for financial support, student services, and backing for PDs/PIs and administrative staff.
Mentorship Oversight: Programs must have mechanisms for effective mentorship oversight, including monitoring mentor performance, conflict resolution practices, and plans for remediating or removing poorly performing mentors.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Promote a culture where future researchers are drawn from the entire pool of potential contributors. Ensure communication and physical spaces are welcoming, comfortable, and safe, with resources to remove barriers for people with disabilities.
Clinical Trial Involvement: Appointed trainees are not permitted to lead independent clinical trials. However, they are allowed to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
Intellectual Property: Awards primarily for educational purposes are generally exempt from PHS invention requirements; therefore, invention reporting is typically not required.
Cost Policy: No automatic carryover of training grant funds between budget periods.

Special Considerations and Strategic Opportunities

Focus on Dual-Degree: The unique aspect is the emphasis on integrated clinical and research doctorate training (e.g., MD/PhD).
Innovation: Encourages creative and transformational approaches to integrate training, including curricular reform.
Career Development: Programs should provide information on career outcomes, a variety of career options, engage potential employers, and offer experiential learning opportunities (e.g., internships).
Evaluation: Programs are expected to conduct ongoing evaluations, respond to trainee feedback, and use outcomes to improve the program. Evaluation is not considered human subjects research in this context.
Knowledge Sharing: Expected to track and make publicly available career outcomes of program graduates and disseminate effective practices to the broader training community.

Grant Details