Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA LM 28 001
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications for institutional research training grants to build or strengthen predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs in biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). The opportunity is titled "NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-LM-28-001). The core aim is workforce development: preparing the next generation of researchers who can apply advanced computational and data-driven methods to real health and biomedical research problems, and who can keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and scientific needs.
NLM is looking for programs that are explicitly innovative and forward-looking, not just traditional coursework plus research rotations. Competitive applications are expected to offer cutting-edge training experiences that help trainees tackle complex biomedical questions using modern computing approaches, including advanced analytics, data engineering, informatics methods, and AI/ML. NLM also signals that it values training that is clearly relevant to health and biomedical research, meaning the program should connect computational skills to meaningful biomedical or clinical research contexts rather than treating computing as an isolated discipline.
A major emphasis is interdisciplinarity. Biomedical informatics, data science, and AI/ML typically span multiple domains (for example, computer science, statistics, biomedical sciences, clinical disciplines, public health, and information science). NLM is therefore encouraging training programs that intentionally integrate methods and perspectives across disciplines. In practice, this often means trainees receive mentoring and research experiences that bridge departments, work with diverse faculty teams, and learn to collaborate across different technical and biomedical cultures to produce impactful research.
The grant mechanism is an NIH training grant (T15), and the title specifies "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed," indicating that the proposed training program should not be structured around trainees leading independent clinical trials as part of the supported activities. The focus is on research training in computational and informatics-oriented approaches relevant to biomedicine, rather than running clinical trials as the central trainee activity.
Applicants may propose either new training programs or renewals of existing NLM-supported programs. This means institutions that already have an NLM training program can apply to continue and potentially modernize or expand it, while institutions without an existing NLM program can propose a new one, provided they can demonstrate strong training capacity, appropriate faculty expertise, and a compelling training plan aligned with NLM priorities.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations, including various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations, public/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. However, foreign participation is restricted in a key way: non-U.S. entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In other words, the applicant organization and the supported program components must be domestic (U.S.-based).
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding activity category, offered by NIH/NLM. The opportunity lists multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers: 93.121, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.310, 93.398, 93.853, 93.855, 93.867, and 93.879, reflecting NIH/NLM programmatic funding streams that may be associated with this announcement. The application closing date is February 11, 2027. NLM anticipates making around 25 awards under this announcement, and the listed award ceiling is $775,000, which serves as the upper bound for funding per award under the opportunity as posted.
Overall, the opportunity is designed to expand and modernize the national training pipeline in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI/ML by supporting institutional programs that can produce researchers with strong computational depth, an understanding of biomedical problems, and the interdisciplinary skills needed to advance health and biomedical research in an era of large-scale data and rapidly advancing AI methods.Apply for RFA LM 28 001
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent 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): 93.121, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.310, 93.398, 93.853, 93.855, 93.867, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-10-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-02-11.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $775,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-LM-28-001).
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The National Library of Medicine (NLM), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications for this grant program.
What is the purpose of this grant program?
The core purpose is workforce development: building or strengthening institutional predoctoral and postdoctoral research training programs that prepare the next generation of researchers to apply biomedical informatics, data science, and AI/ML methods to real health and biomedical research problems.
What types of training programs is NLM looking to support?
NLM is seeking institutional research training programs that are explicitly innovative and forward-looking, not limited to traditional coursework and research rotations. Competitive programs are expected to provide cutting-edge training experiences aligned with rapidly evolving technologies and scientific needs.
What fields or topic areas does the training need to cover?
The announcement focuses on biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), including modern computing approaches such as advanced analytics, data engineering, informatics methods, and AI/ML as applied to biomedical and health research.
Does the program need to be connected to health and biomedical research?
Yes. NLM signals that it values training that is clearly relevant to health and biomedical research, meaning the program should connect computational and data-driven skills to meaningful biomedical or clinical research contexts rather than treating computing as a stand-alone discipline.
How important is interdisciplinarity for this opportunity?
Interdisciplinarity is a major emphasis. NLM encourages programs that integrate methods and perspectives across disciplines such as computer science, statistics, biomedical sciences, clinical disciplines, public health, and information science, including mentoring and research experiences that bridge departments and involve diverse faculty teams.
What is the grant mechanism for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses an NIH institutional training grant mechanism: T15.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean in this announcement?
It indicates that the proposed training program should not be structured around trainees leading independent clinical trials as part of the supported activities. The emphasis is on research training in computational and informatics-oriented approaches relevant to biomedicine, rather than having clinical trials as the central trainee activity.
Are new training programs eligible, or only existing programs?
Both are eligible. Applicants may propose new training programs or renewals of existing NLM-supported programs.
Can institutions with existing NLM training programs apply?
Yes. Institutions that already have an NLM training program can apply to continue it and may also propose to modernize or expand the program, as long as the plan aligns with NLM priorities described in the announcement.
Can institutions without an existing NLM program apply?
Yes. Institutions without an existing NLM training program may propose a new program, provided they can demonstrate strong training capacity, appropriate faculty expertise, and a compelling training plan aligned with NLM priorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad for U.S.-based organizations, including state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Can a U.S. organization include non-U.S. components in the proposed program?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. The applicant organization and supported program components must be domestic (U.S.-based).
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding activity category, offered by NIH/NLM.
What are the Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers associated with this announcement?
The opportunity lists the following Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers: 93.121, 93.173, 93.242, 93.279, 93.310, 93.398, 93.853, 93.855, 93.867, and 93.879.
When is the application closing date?
The application closing date listed in the opportunity is February 11, 2027.
How many awards does NLM expect to make?
NLM anticipates making around 25 awards under this announcement.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The listed award ceiling is $775,000, which serves as the upper bound for funding per award under the opportunity as posted.
What kind of trainee population is this opportunity meant to support?
The opportunity is intended to support institutional training programs for both predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
What outcomes is NLM trying to achieve with this program?
NLM aims to expand and modernize the national training pipeline in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI/ML by supporting programs that produce researchers with strong computational depth, an understanding of biomedical problems, and the interdisciplinary skills needed to advance health and biomedical research in an era of large-scale data and rapidly advancing AI methods.
What does NLM mean by "innovative and forward-looking" training?
Based on the opportunity description, NLM is looking for training that goes beyond standard coursework and rotations, offering cutting-edge experiences that enable trainees to address complex biomedical questions using modern computational approaches and keep pace with fast-moving technologies and scientific needs.
What types of training experiences are implied as competitive for this opportunity?
The opportunity suggests that competitive programs will include training in advanced analytics, data engineering, informatics methods, and AI/ML, and will provide mentored research experiences that connect these methods directly to health and biomedical research problems in an interdisciplinary setting.
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