T32 Training Program for Institutions That Promote Diversity (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HL 19 023

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 19 023

The T32 Training Program for Institutions That Promote Diversity (RFA-HL-19-023) is a National Institutes of Health grant opportunity run through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) that funds institutional research training programs under the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) mechanism. Its central goal is to increase and strengthen the participation of people from diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in research focused on cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders. The emphasis is on building a stronger, more inclusive workforce across the career development continuum by supporting structured training environments that help trainees progress from earlier stages (predoctoral and health professional students) into advanced research training (postdoctoral-level training).

A defining feature of this opportunity is the type of institution it is meant to support. The FOA is aimed at institutions whose mission and track record are closely tied to serving health disparity populations that have historically been underrepresented in scientific research, including institutions explicitly recognized through federal legislation for that purpose. These organizations are often embedded in, and trusted by, the communities most affected by disparities, which positions them well to connect research to real-world needs. NHLBI is using this T32 program to expand biomedical research capacity at such institutions, with the expectation that they can develop high-quality, meritorious training programs and produce scientists prepared to conduct impactful research in heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related fields. The broader intention is not only to train individuals, but also to strengthen institutional infrastructure and culture for sustained research training that promotes diversity and addresses inequities in health outcomes.

The training scope includes support for predoctoral trainees, health professional students, and postdoctoral trainees, with programming that typically combines mentored research experiences, formal didactic components, and professional development in areas like responsible conduct of research, career skills, and discipline-specific methods. While the FOA text provided does not list specific required training elements in detail, the T32 mechanism generally expects a cohesive program: a strong training faculty, a clear plan for recruiting and supporting trainees, defined milestones, and evidence that the institution can provide the environment and resources trainees need to succeed. The scientific focus areas are clearly defined as cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases, along with sleep disorders, reflecting NHLBIs mission and portfolio.

Clinical trial rules are also spelled out. Appointed trainees are not allowed to lead an independent clinical trial under this FOA, meaning they cannot be the responsible party designing and directing a trial as the primary lead. However, the FOA does allow trainees to gain clinical trial research experience when the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. In practice, that means trainees can still learn clinical research skills, participate in trial conduct, and analyze or interpret clinical trial data under supervision, as long as the responsibility for the trial remains with an experienced investigator.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations that can host an institutional training program, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and certain nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities). The FOA also calls out several categories of institutions and organizations that are especially relevant to the diversity and health disparities mission, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and certain tribal entities. U.S. territories or possessions are included among the listed eligible applicant types. At the same time, foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible either, reinforcing that the program is intended to build training capacity within the United States and its territories.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding category, associated with NIH and multiple CFDA numbers (93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840) that align with NHLBI-related research and training support. The funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-27, and the original closing date listed is 2021-05-06. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, suggesting that applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget and award planning details, including allowable costs, trainee slots, and the project period.

In plain terms, this FOA is about investing in institutions that already serve health disparity communities and have demonstrated success in promoting diversity, so they can train the next generation of researchers in heart, lung, blood, and sleep science. The expected payoff is a stronger, more representative research pipeline, better community-engaged research capacity, and a workforce positioned to translate and implement scientific advances in ways that genuinely improve health outcomes for populations that have too often been left out of the research enterprise.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "T32 Training Program for Institutions That Promote Diversity (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-06. (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, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Others.

Apply for RFA HL 19 023

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