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TWD Programs GuideResearch training, explained

Program profile

IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)

INBRE is not a training grant in the T32 sense, but for many students at smaller colleges in IDeA states it is the main source of paid research experience.

By the TWD Programs Guide editors · Updated · 1 min read

Active Checked November 7, 2026

Mechanism
P20 (current announcement PAR-23-100)
Who it serves
Faculty and students at colleges and universities in IDeA states and Puerto Rico
Today
Run by NIGMS's research capacity building side rather than TWD. One network per eligible jurisdiction.

Short answer

INBRE (IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) is an NIGMS P20 program that funds one statewide network in each IDeA-eligible state and Puerto Rico to build research capacity through faculty research and mentoring, student research and shared infrastructure.

What is INBRE?

INBRE is an NIGMS program under the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) that funds a statewide network in each eligible state and Puerto Rico to build biomedical research capacity, including faculty research, mentoring, student research and research infrastructure. Awards use the P20 mechanism; the current announcement is PAR-23-100.

IDeA was created to broaden the geographic distribution of NIH funding, so eligibility is by state, not by institution type. Each eligible jurisdiction can have one INBRE network, usually a research university working with partner colleges and universities.

Why does it appear on a training programs site?

INBRE directors were part of the audience for the 2013 TWD Program Directors' Meeting, and in practice INBRE networks run some of the largest undergraduate research programs in their states. For a student at a primarily undergraduate institution in an IDeA state, an INBRE summer or academic-year research position is often the first step toward a research career.

INBRE compared with training grants

INBRE BURT (T34)
Purpose Statewide research capacity Undergraduate research training cohorts
Who holds the award One network per IDeA jurisdiction Individual institutions under $50M NIH RPG
Student support Varies by network NRSA stipend, tuition, training costs
Citizenship rules Set by the network and announcement NRSA rules

The two can coexist. An institution in an IDeA state could take part in its INBRE network and hold a BURT award, if it meets BURT's rules.

Questions people ask

How do students join INBRE research?

Through the network in their state. Most networks run student research programs at partner campuses; the network's own website lists current opportunities and contacts.

Is my state an IDeA state?

IDeA eligibility is based on a state's historical NIH funding. NIGMS publishes the list of eligible jurisdictions on its IDeA pages; check there, because eligibility is reviewed over time.

Sources

  1. NIGMS: IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (page updated June 2026)
  2. PAR-23-100: IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (P20)

This profile is an independent summary, not an official NIH or NIGMS description. Eligibility and deadlines are set by the current funding opportunity; read it before you apply.