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TWD Programs GuideResearch training, explained

Program profile

Postdoctoral T32 and K12 institutional programs at NIGMS

For decades the T32 was the standard way to fund a cohort of postdocs. At NIGMS that has ended for new applications, and clinician-scientist training now goes through institutional career development awards.

By the TWD Programs Guide editors · Updated · 2 min read

Closed to new competing applications Checked November 7, 2026

Mechanism
T32 (postdoctoral); K12 institutional career development
Who it serves
Postdocs, including clinician-scientists after clinical training
Today
New postdoctoral clinician-scientist programs apply to the Parent K12. Current postdoctoral T32 awards run to the end of their project periods.

Short answer

As of 2026, NIGMS no longer accepts competing postdoctoral T32 applications. Under NOT-GM-26-007 (July 29, 2026), new postdoctoral clinician-scientist programs apply to the Parent K12 instead; existing postdoctoral T32 awards continue until their current project periods end, after which institutions can apply for a K12.

What happened to NIGMS postdoctoral T32s?

NIGMS stopped accepting competing applications for institutional postdoctoral T32 training grants, and in July 2026 it moved postdoctoral clinician-scientist training to the Parent K12 institutional career development award. NIGMS's program list now states plainly that it is no longer accepting competing postdoctoral T32 applications.

The July 29, 2026 notice (NOT-GM-26-007) covered the clinician-scientist side:

  • New competing applications for postdoctoral clinician-scientist career development go to the Parent K12 announcement, effective immediately.
  • Current postdoctoral T32 awards continue until their current project periods end. Institutions then apply for a K12.
  • The MSTP for MD/PhD students is not affected.

T32 or K12: what changes for a program?

Postdoctoral T32 K12
Type of support NRSA traineeship Mentored career development appointment
Payback obligation NRSA payback rules apply to postdocs in their first year None under NRSA
Citizenship US citizens, noncitizen nationals, permanent residents Set by the announcement
Typical use at NIGMS now Existing awards only New clinician-scientist programs

The move matters for budgets and for recruitment. K12 scholar appointments are usually costed differently from NRSA stipends, and if the K12 announcement allows non-citizen scholars, the pool of eligible postdocs widens. Read the Parent K12 carefully before you redesign.

What about postdoctoral teaching programs?

The IRACDA program, which combined postdoctoral research with teaching at a partner institution, was a K12 as well. It was reported terminated in 2025 and is not on NIGMS's current list; see the IRACDA profile. Individual postdocs can still apply for F32 fellowships and K99/R00 awards.

Questions people ask

Can postdocs still be appointed to NIGMS postdoctoral T32s?

Yes, on awards that are still active. Those awards continue to the end of their current project periods. What has stopped is new competing applications.

Is a K12 different for the scholar?

Yes. K12 scholars are appointed to a mentored career development position rather than an NRSA traineeship, so there is no NRSA payback obligation and citizenship rules depend on the announcement. Ask the K12 program about its own scholar requirements.

Do other NIH institutes still fund postdoctoral T32s?

Some do. This change is specific to NIGMS. Check the participating-institute table in the Parent T32 announcement for the institute that fits your field.

Sources

  1. NOT-GM-26-007: Changes to NIGMS institutional basic biomedical and clinician scientist training programs
  2. NIGMS: Current TWD programs (notes that competing postdoctoral T32 applications are not accepted)

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.