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TWD Programs GuideResearch training, explained

Program profile

TURTLE, the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences program

TURTLE puts a research training grant in the hands of Tribal nations and Tribal institutions rather than universities. It starts with two years of capacity building, then moves into a training phase.

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

Active Checked November 7, 2026

Mechanism
Phased award; UE5 development phase, then T34 (undergraduate) or T32 (graduate) training phase
Who it serves
American Indian and Alaska Native communities training undergraduates and PhD students
Today
Listed by NIGMS in 2026. Announcements PAR-24-236 (UE5/T34) and PAR-24-235 (UE5/T32).

Short answer

TURTLE is an NIGMS program that funds federally recognized Tribes, Tribal colleges and universities, Tribal health programs and Tribal organizations to build and run research training for American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduates (T34) or PhD students (T32), after a two-year UE5 development phase.

What is TURTLE?

TURTLE is a phased NIGMS award of up to seven years that lets Tribal entities build their own biomedical research training programs, first through a two-year UE5 development phase and then a five-year T34 (undergraduate) or T32 (graduate) training phase. The goal NIGMS states is a larger group of scientists able to do American Indian and Alaska Native health and health disparities research, finish biomedical degrees and move into research careers.

How do the two phases work?

Phase Length What it pays for
UE5 development (cooperative agreement) 2 years Hiring staff, building program management, grants administration and recruitment capacity, with close NIH staff involvement
T34 or T32 training 5 years Trainee appointments, stipends, tuition, travel and training-related expenses, plus mentoring and outcome tracking

Trainees are usually supported for one to four years. NIGMS has said it intends to offer a renewable TURTLE training program to awardees nearing the end of the training phase.

Who can apply and who can be a trainee?

Eligible applicants are a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, a Tribal college or university, a Tribal health program or Tribal organization, or a consortium of two or more of these. Undergraduate trainees (T34) must be enrolled in a bachelor's program in a biomedically relevant field; graduate trainees (T32) must be in a PhD program. All trainees must be US citizens, noncitizen nationals or permanent residents and train full time.

Practical notes

NIGMS's TURTLE page flagged a new biosketch format for applications due on or after January 25, 2026. Check the current announcement for due dates before planning; the grant timeline builder can back-plan from whatever date the announcement lists.

Questions people ask

Can a university apply for TURTLE?

Not as the lead applicant. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Tribes, Tribal colleges and universities, Tribal health programs and Tribal organizations, or a consortium of them. Universities can take part as partners and training sites.

Do trainees have to attend a Tribal college?

No. Trainees can come from institutions across the US and its territories and don't have to attend the same school. They must meet NRSA citizenship rules and train full time.

Sources

  1. NIGMS: TURTLE Program (UE5/T34) and (UE5/T32)
  2. PAR-24-236: TURTLE (UE5/T34)
  3. PAR-24-235: TURTLE (UE5/T32)

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.