Limited Competition: Tribal Undergraduate and Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) Program

The NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) is issuing a limited‑competition grant (or cooperative agreement) to support Tribal undergraduate and graduate students pursuing biomedical research degrees. Eligible applicants include federally‑recognized AI/AN tribes, Tribal colleges/universities, Tribal health programs, and consortia of these entities. The program will fund phased awards that develop and implement training, mentorship, and research experiences aimed at building a pipeline of Tribal researchers who can conduct health‑related studies, complete their degrees, and transition into the biomedical workforce. Funding instruments include Grants and Cooperative Agreements, and the award is expected to be announced in December 2028 with project start the same month. • Eligible applicants: federally‑recognized Native American tribes, Tribal colleges/universities, Tribal health programs, Tribal organizations, or consortia thereof. • Focus: training and leadership experiences for students earning baccalaureate or doctoral degrees in biomedical fields. • Funding mechanism: Grant or Cooperative Agreement (NIH standard peer‑review). • Estimated application deadline: 25 Jan 2028; award decision: 1 Dec 2028; project start: 1 Dec 2028. • No specific award ceiling/floor disclosed; typical NIH training grants range from $200 K to $500 K per award. • Contact: NIGMS TURTLE Program (email provided).