Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Training Grant (NRSA)

For program and eligibility questions:
Svetlana Cicale
HRSANRSA@hrsa.gov

For financial and budget questions:
Sheila Burks
301.443.6452
sburks@hrsa.gov

HRSA Contact Center:
877.464.4772
877.897.9910 (TTY)
HRSA contact page

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

System for award management (SAM):
866.606.8220
Federal service desk

The National Research Service Award (NRSA) program supports the training of postdoctoral researchers in biomedical, behavioral, and health services research. The program aims to increase the skilled research workforce to advance scientific knowledge in primary care.

Program objectives include:

• Develop and enhance research training opportunities for individuals interested in careers in primary care research
• Increase the number of researchers focused on primary care issues that transform healthcare delivery
• Share fellow research findings to advance primary care

Programs must support effective mentorship, including a clear mentorship approach, experienced mentor, oversight, and accountability systems.

HRSA has a particular interest in primary care practice and education. NRSA fellows are encouraged to advance research in 1 or more of the following areas to Make America Healthy Again:

• Ensuring access to primary care, particularly for tribal and rural communities and populations with limited access to services
• Promoting preventive care
• Supporting behavioral health services
• Promoting nutrition and wellness
• Reducing exposure to environmental toxins
• Fighting the chronic disease epidemic
• Others topics related to primary care

Trainees eligible to receive support under this program must be full-time researchers committed to primary care career research for no less than 2 year that are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Eligible applicants include domestic public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education that were funded between 2011 through 2025, under sections 736, 739, or 747 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.

A list of eligible institutions is provided in the application instructions.

Award ceiling: $500,000
Award floor: $134,653
Project period: 5years
Estimated number of awards: 20
Estimated total program funding: $9,566,800

Links to the full announcement and application instructions are available through grants.gov.

Applicant webinar
June 15, 2026
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern