The goal of the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) program is to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained students who:

• Complete their baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields, and
• Transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).

Programs should provide trainees with the following:

• Foundational skills for rigorous biomedical research: Broad exposure to biomedical disciplines and strong foundations in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, data analysis and interpretation.
• Mentored research experiences: Well-designed, authentic research opportunities that enable trainees to conduct rigorous research safely, ethically, and with increasing self-direction. Authentic research experiences may take place through course-based research or in the context of a research group either at the applicant organization or at a partner organization with greater research activity. Training plans must include at least one trainee Summer Research Experience (SRE).
• Scientific Collaboration and Communication: Cohort development activities that allow trainees to work effectively in teams with colleagues from various scientific disciplines and communicate scientific advances to a wide variety of audiences.
• Career Development: The professional skills, knowledge, networks and experiences required to identify and transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce (the breadth of careers that sustain biomedical research in areas that are relevant to the NIH mission).

To promote undergraduate research training opportunities across a range of eligible organizations, the program will accept applications in two tracks:

• Single Site: To support trainees from a single baccalaureate-degree granting organization.
• Community College Partnerships: To support community college trainee development through strong collaborations between at least one associate-degree granting organization (that is, a community college) and at least one baccalaureate-degree granting organization.

The proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation.

NIH Full Proposal Deadline: 05/26/2026

Link to FOA Here: Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)

PI Eligibility:  Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application. Individuals from underrepresented groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.  

Institutional Limit: Only one (1) application per institution is allowed.

Application Information:  All UD limited submission white papers must use this template found on the Research Office limited submission webpage. Applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.

Merit Review Criteria: Summaries will be reviewed based on the criteria detailed in the solicitation.