Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 030

The Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP) (T32) is a National Institutes of Health training grant opportunity (PAR-23-030, CFDA 93.859) aimed at expanding and strengthening the clinician-scientist pipeline in the United States. Its central purpose is to develop a more diverse group of highly trained dual-degree clinician-scientist leaders who can meet the nations biomedical research needs. The program is designed for institutions that have historically been underrepresented among NIGMS-funded Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs), with a clear emphasis on building equitable training environments and improving outcomes for trainees pursuing both a clinical professional degree and a Ph.D.

This opportunity supports institutions in creating and running dual-degree training programs that better integrate the major transition points that often make MD-PhD and similar pathways difficult to navigate. In practical terms, the FOA calls for evidence-informed approaches to training design and mentoring that help trainees move efficiently and successfully between medical (or other clinical) training phases and the research-intensive Ph.D. portion. Eligible clinical degrees are broad and can include M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., Pharm.D., and related professional doctorates, paired with a research doctorate (Ph.D.). The intent is that graduates leave with deep scientific rigor and clinical insight so they can drive translational research that improves how diseases are understood, detected, treated, and prevented, while also being prepared to lead in the biomedical research enterprise as it continues to evolve.

NIGMS highlights several priorities that applicants are expected to address in their training plans. One is optimizing training efficiency, meaning programs should think carefully about curriculum structure, timing, milestones, and supports that reduce unnecessary delays and help trainees complete both degrees without sacrificing quality. Another is fostering long-term persistence in research careers, which points to building strong mentoring systems, research experiences, professional development, and career guidance that keep alumni engaged in biomedical research after graduation. A third priority is enhancing diversity in the clinician-scientist workforce, not only by recruiting diverse trainees but also by creating inclusive mentoring, community support, and career development structures that improve retention and success. Overall, NIGMS expects training programs to combine didactic instruction, meaningful research training, intentional mentoring, and career development activities so that trainees are well prepared for research careers with significant impact on national health-related research needs.

Eligibility is intentionally focused to expand capacity in specific institution types and regions. Applications are limited to domestic dual-degree training programs located at (1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), (2) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and (3) institutions in states and territories participating in the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program, which is a congressionally mandated effort to build research capacity in historically underfunded states. The eligible applicant categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as long as they meet the program limitations described above. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant using the NIH T32 institutional training mechanism, with the opportunity originally created on November 22, 2022, and an original application closing date of January 27, 2025. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for budget structure, allowable costs, trainee support levels, and any cohort expectations. In summary, LEAD MSTP is meant to broaden where MSTP-like training thrives, improve how dual-degree programs handle critical transitions, and produce clinician-scientists who are both scientifically excellent and more representative of the nations diversity, strengthening the future biomedical research workforce.

  • The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP)(T32)" 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 2022-11-22.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-27. (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.
Apply for PAR 23 030

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LEAD MSTP (T32) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the LEAD MSTP (T32) grant opportunity?

The Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP) (T32) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutional training grant opportunity intended to expand and strengthen the clinician-scientist pipeline in the United States by supporting dual-degree clinician-scientist training programs.

What is the central purpose of LEAD MSTP?

The central purpose is to develop a more diverse group of highly trained dual-degree clinician-scientist leaders who can meet the nation's biomedical research needs, with an emphasis on equitable training environments and improved trainee outcomes.

Which NIH institute is associated with the priorities described for this program?

The opportunity highlights priorities from NIGMS (the National Institute of General Medical Sciences), including training efficiency, long-term persistence in research careers, and enhancing diversity in the clinician-scientist workforce.

What kind of grant mechanism is used for LEAD MSTP?

LEAD MSTP uses the NIH T32 institutional training mechanism.

Is this a discretionary grant?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.

What is the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) number and CFDA number?

The FOA is PAR-23-030 and the CFDA number listed is 93.859.

Who is this opportunity designed for?

It is designed for institutions that have historically been underrepresented among NIGMS-funded Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs), with a clear emphasis on building equitable training environments and improving outcomes for dual-degree trainees.

What types of programs does LEAD MSTP support?

The opportunity supports institutions in creating and running dual-degree training programs that pair a clinical professional doctorate with a research doctorate (Ph.D.), and that better integrate major transition points that can be challenging in MD-PhD and similar pathways.

Which clinical degrees are considered eligible under this opportunity?

The eligible clinical degrees are described as broad and can include M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., Pharm.D., and related professional doctorates, paired with a Ph.D.

What is meant by "dual-degree clinician-scientist" in this context?

In this context, it refers to trainees pursuing both a clinical professional degree (such as an M.D. or other eligible clinical doctorate) and a Ph.D., with the goal of graduating with both clinical insight and deep scientific training.

What are the major training challenges this program is trying to address?

The program specifically calls for approaches that improve how trainees navigate major transition points between clinical training phases and the research-intensive Ph.D. portion, with the aim of helping trainees move efficiently and successfully through both degrees.

What does NIGMS mean by optimizing training efficiency?

Optimizing training efficiency refers to designing curriculum structure, timing, milestones, and supports that reduce unnecessary delays and help trainees complete both degrees without sacrificing training quality.

What does the program emphasize about mentoring and training design?

The FOA calls for evidence-informed approaches to training design and mentoring that support successful progression through both clinical and Ph.D. components, especially across transition points.

What does "long-term persistence in research careers" mean in the LEAD MSTP context?

It points to building mentoring systems, research experiences, professional development, and career guidance that help graduates remain engaged in biomedical research after they complete the program.

How does LEAD MSTP address diversity and equity?

The opportunity prioritizes enhancing diversity in the clinician-scientist workforce not only through recruitment of diverse trainees, but also by creating inclusive mentoring, community support, and career development structures that improve retention and success.

What types of training activities are expected to be included in a training plan?

NIGMS expects training programs to combine didactic instruction, meaningful research training, intentional mentoring, and career development activities to prepare trainees for impactful research careers aligned with national health-related research needs.

What outcomes is the program aiming for among graduates?

The intent is for graduates to leave with strong scientific rigor and clinical insight so they can drive translational research that improves how diseases are understood, detected, treated, and prevented, and be prepared to lead in the evolving biomedical research enterprise.

Which institutions are eligible to apply?

Applications are limited to domestic dual-degree training programs located at: (1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), (2) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and (3) institutions in states and territories participating in the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.

What is the IDeA program and why does it matter for eligibility?

The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program is described as a congressionally mandated effort to build research capacity in historically underfunded states. Institutions in IDeA states and territories are included in the eligibility limitations for this opportunity.

Are both public and private institutions eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicant categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as long as they meet the program limitations (HBCU, TCU, or IDeA-state/territory location).

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

Is the program limited to MD-PhD programs only?

No. While MD-PhD pathways are referenced as an example, the opportunity describes eligible clinical degrees broadly (including M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., Pharm.D., and related professional doctorates) when paired with a Ph.D.

When was this opportunity originally created?

The opportunity was originally created on November 22, 2022.

What is the original application closing date?

The original application closing date provided is January 27, 2025.

Does the provided information list an award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

Where should applicants look for budget structure, allowable costs, and trainee support details?

Based on the information provided, applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for budget structure, allowable costs, trainee support levels, and any cohort expectations.

In one sentence, what is LEAD MSTP trying to accomplish?

LEAD MSTP is meant to broaden where MSTP-like training thrives, improve how dual-degree programs handle critical transitions, and produce clinician-scientists who are scientifically excellent and more representative of the nation's diversity.

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