Institutional Translational Research Training Program (T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 108

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 108

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications for an Institutional Translational Research Training Program through the T32 mechanism under funding opportunity PAR-24-108. The central goal is to train the next generation of neuroscience researchers to move basic, disease-relevant discoveries closer to real-world clinical use. This program is explicitly focused on translational preparation rather than running clinical trials, and the opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported training and research experiences must not include clinical trial activities as defined by NIH.

At its core, the program is designed to build a structured, cohesive training environment where advanced predoctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and fellowship-stage clinicians learn how translational neuroscience actually works in practice. NINDS is looking for programs that immerse trainees in settings where basic neuroscientists and clinicians are actively collaborating, where there is hands-on exposure to researchers experienced in translational development, and where meaningful connections exist with industry partners and government regulatory agencies. In other words, the expectation is that the institution will not only provide strong basic science mentorship, but will also surround trainees with the people, workflows, and decision points that shape how a discovery becomes something that could eventually be developed into a therapy.

A key feature of this training program is that translational skills should be taught in the context of each trainee's own project rather than as abstract coursework alone. The FOA emphasizes that trainees should understand the processes involved in translation, such as how to design studies that are rigorous and clinically relevant, how to think about reproducibility and robustness, and how to anticipate downstream requirements that often determine whether early findings can be advanced. Programs are expected to include explicit activities that strengthen experimental design and promote strong statistical and analytical capabilities, reflecting a clear priority on methodological rigor. Another required element is training in communicating science to a wide range of audiences, which typically includes scientific peers but can also extend to clinicians, patient communities, industry collaborators, and other non-specialist stakeholders involved in translational pathways.

The training model is intended to be around two years in duration per trainee, providing enough time for participants to build competencies and apply them meaningfully while still being time-bounded and structured. The end result NINDS is aiming for is a trainee who can continue tackling basic research questions while also understanding what it takes for discoveries to clear the practical hurdles on the road to viable therapies. That includes awareness of translational milestones, quality expectations, and the kinds of cross-disciplinary coordination that are common in real translational programs.

In terms of who may apply, this is a discretionary NIH grant in the health category (CFDA 93.853) with a wide range of eligible applicant types. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, federal, state, county, and local governments, certain tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), as well as small businesses and other entities as specified. The FOA also highlights eligibility for a variety of institution types and community-serving organizations, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations. However, non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign institutions are not eligible.

The opportunity lists an original closing date of 2026-05-25. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source details, so applicants would typically confirm budget limits, allowable costs, and anticipated award counts in the full FOA and related NIH training grant policy guidance. Overall, this funding opportunity is best viewed as an institutional commitment to building a translational neuroscience training pipeline that combines rigorous basic research training with practical exposure to the collaborative, regulatory-aware, and industry-connected realities of moving discoveries toward clinical application, without conducting clinical trials within the supported program.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institutional Translational Research Training Program (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): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 108

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