Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-26-035
- Eligibility
- Project director & mentors
- Research & program requirements
- Budget & costs
- Application & attachments
- Reporting & post-award
Eligibility
Who can apply?
U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities that received funding between 2011 and 2025 under Sections 736, 739, or 747 of the Public Health Service Act. See Appendix A for examples. Individuals cannot apply.
The applying institution must use the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) that was used to receive prior eligible funding. If an institution submits more than one application, each must describe a different project.
Do fellows have to participate full-time?
Yes. Full-time is normally 40 hours per week, consistent with the institution's policies defined as full-time.
How long can a postdoctoral fellow stay in the program?
At least two years, and up to three years, consistent with the National Institute of Health (NIH) NRSA policy. Appointments are made in 12-month increments.
Do fellows have to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents?
Yes. Fellows must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or lawful permanent residents.
Project director & mentors
What does the Project Director need to qualify?
The Project Director must:
- Be an established researcher with a strong training track record
- Be able to lead the program administratively and scientifically
- Hold an eligible doctoral degree
- Have at least three years of primary care practice or teaching experience
- Be employed by the applying institution
Can grant funds pay for mentor time?
Yes. Mentor time can be covered through Training-Related Expenses (TRE), if costs are reasonable, justified, and tied to the training program.
Can grant funds pay for the Project Director's time?
No. Grant funds cannot pay for Project Director time. The one exception: if the Project Director also mentors’ fellows, that mentoring time can be covered through TRE, if the costs are reasonable, justified, and tied to the training program.
Can the Project Director be compensated by the grant if the department is also providing support?
Yes. Department support (such as administrative help or research funds) does not prevent the Project Director from also receiving salary compensation from the grant.
Research & program requirements
How should applicants connect their proposal to HRSA's research priorities?
Clearly explain how the fellows' research relates to the primary care research priorities listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Does HRSA have to approve fellows' research topics?
Yes. HRSA must review and approve all research topics before work begins.
Can applicants rewrite the program’s goal and objectives?
No. The program goal and all three objectives must be copied exactly from the NOFO into the Standardized Work Plan (SWP). All three objectives must be addressed in every budget period, though the specific activities can change over time.
Can fellows run their own clinical trials?
Fellows can participate in clinical trials run by a mentor or co-mentor. However, fellows cannot lead their own.
Can fellows do clinical work during the fellowship?
No. NRSA funds cannot be used to pay fellows for clinical duties tied to a residency, traineeship, or certification program, or for moonlighting.
Budget & costs
What can TRE funds be used for?
TRE can cover:
- Mentor and/or Project Director time (in a mentoring role)
- Administrative support
- Consultant costs
- Research supplies
- Fellow health insurance
- Project Director travel to the required annual HRSA meeting
- Other training-related costs described in the NOFO
TRE is not a research project budget.
How much can institutions request for postdoctoral fellows?
Up to $12,400 per fellow per year. This can cover both research and administrative costs but is not meant to fund a separate research project.
Can a project coordinator or graduate assistant be hired?
Yes, to help with coordination and data collection for HRSA reporting.
How should travel to the annual HRSA meeting be budgeted?
- Fellow travel → Trainee Travel category
- Project Director travel → TRE category
Travel can be listed as its own line item within TRE.
How should postdoctoral stipends be budgeted?
Stipend levels are based on the fellow's years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment. Each budget year after Year 1 must reflect a 2% increase, calculated from Year 1 amount.
Are incentive payments to participants allowed? No. Training grants do not cover participant incentives.
Application & attachments
If the NOFO and the Research and Related (R&R) Application Guide say different things, which one should applicants follow?
Follow the NOFO.
Should the Project Abstract be uploaded as an attachment?
No. Fill out the Project Abstract Summary Form. Do not upload it as a separate file.
Do the Standardized Work Plan (SWP) and attachments count toward the page limit?
The SWP does not count toward the page limit. Attachments do, unless the NOFO says otherwise. Check the Application Checklist for details.
What CVs are required? Can applicants submit a shorter CV?
The Project Director and all mentors must submit current CVs in Attachment 6. There is no required format. A shorter CV that focuses on qualifications most relevant to the training program is fine.
What is the difference between a CV and a biosketch?
A CV covers what someone has done—education, experience, credentials, and accomplishments.
A biosketch explains why someone is right for this project. The personal statement connects their background to the project's goals. No specific format is required; SciENcv biosketches are appectable.
Does a biosketch replace the CV required in Attachment 6?
No. The Project Director and all mentors still need to submit CVs in Attachment 6. Biosketches go in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form. Both CVs and biosketches count toward the page limit.
Do Attachments 8 and 9 require 5 years or 10 years of information?
10 years. Note that NIH separately expects mentors on NRSA faculty rosters to document fellows from the past 5 years. Follow the instructions specific to each attachment.
Reporting & post-award
Do recipients need to collect fellows' National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers?
Yes. Fellows who are eligible must apply for an NPI number. Recipients must also collect NPI numbers from fellows who already have one.
Do recipients need to stay in touch with fellows after they graduate?
Yes. Recipients must collect employment information from graduates for at least one year after they complete the program.
What reports are required after funding is awarded?
Recipients must submit:
- Non-competing continuation progress reports (NCC)
- Annual performance reports (APR)
- Federal financial reports
- A final report and final performance report
Can an institution name more than one Project Director?
No. HRSA recognizes only one Project Director per award.