Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (P20) | PAR 16 415

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): COBRE (P20) - NIGMS/NIH (PAR-16-415)

What is the COBRE (P20) grant opportunity?

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (P20) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is offered through the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program and is intended to build and strengthen biomedical research capacity at eligible institutions in states and territories that have historically received lower levels of NIH funding.

What is the main purpose of this COBRE funding?

The main purpose is to help an eligible institution create a focused, theme-driven, multi-disciplinary research center that strengthens institutional research infrastructure and supports investigator career development. A key goal is to help investigators become more competitive for independent, peer-reviewed research funding, especially NIH individual research grants.

Is COBRE meant to fund one specific research project?

No. COBRE is described as an infrastructure-and-career-development style program. Rather than funding a single project in isolation, it supports a coordinated center organized around a scientific theme that brings investigators together across departments and disciplines.

What does a "theme-driven, multi-disciplinary research center" mean in this context?

It means the center is organized around a focused scientific theme and intentionally brings together investigators from multiple departments and disciplines. The center structure is intended to create an organized research environment that generates strong preliminary data, fundable ideas, and successful grant applicants.

What kinds of activities does COBRE typically support?

Based on the description provided, COBRE commonly involves strengthening shared resources, creating or improving core facilities, supporting junior or developing investigators, and providing structured mentorship and research support to help investigators reach competitiveness for major external awards.

How does COBRE measure success?

The description emphasizes two overarching outcomes: (1) a stronger, more sustainable institutional research environment and (2) a clear trajectory of investigators moving from development support within the center to winning their own NIH and other peer-reviewed research awards.

Who is this opportunity intended for geographically?

The opportunity is aimed at biomedical research institutions located in IDeA-eligible states (and territories), reflecting the program mission of increasing competitiveness in regions that have traditionally faced structural disadvantages in securing NIH awards.

What types of institutions are eligible to apply?

The provided information states that eligible applicant institutions include those that award doctoral degrees in health sciences or sciences related to health, as well as independent biomedical research institutes that maintain ongoing biomedical research programs funded by NIH or other federal agencies.

Are only universities eligible to apply?

No. The eligibility listing is broad and includes higher education institutions, independent research institutes, and a wide range of U.S.-based organizations when otherwise eligible under the program rules.

What other types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?

The notice describes eligibility as including (when otherwise eligible under the listing) state, county, city, township, or special district governments; independent school districts; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; eligible federal agencies; and U.S. territories or possessions.

Do minority-serving or special-designation institutions appear to be included?

Yes. The text highlights categories of institutions and organizations that may apply when otherwise meeting program rules, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?

No. The announcement states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component in its application?

No. The information provided states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.

Are "foreign components" allowed under this opportunity?

No. The announcement indicates that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

What does the foreign involvement restriction imply for center planning?

It implies applicants need to plan center activities, cores, leadership, and supported projects to be fully domestic and compliant with NIH rules on foreign participation, since foreign organizations, non-domestic components, and foreign components are not permitted.

What NIH institute administers this opportunity?

This COBRE (P20) opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

What is the grant mechanism/activity code for this program?

The opportunity uses the P20 activity code, which is commonly associated with exploratory or developmental center grants and capacity-building efforts.

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number listed is PAR-16-415.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed in the provided information is 93.859.

When was this opportunity created, and what is the original closing date shown?

The creation date provided is August 25, 2016, and the original closing date provided is January 24, 2018.

Does the provided excerpt list the award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The provided source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

What details might an applicant need to find in the full announcement that are not in the excerpt?

The excerpt indicates that applicants would likely need to consult the full funding announcement for items such as budget limits, project period structure, and any phase-based expectations that COBRE programs often include.

Why does the program focus on IDeA-eligible states and territories?

The emphasis reflects the IDeA program mission: increasing the competitiveness of investigators and institutions in regions that have traditionally faced structural disadvantages in securing NIH awards, such as smaller research ecosystems, fewer established cores, or limited local access to advanced research infrastructure.

What is the broader goal beyond infrastructure improvements?

Beyond improving institutional research infrastructure, the program aims to help investigators become more competitive for independent, peer-reviewed research funding, particularly NIH individual research grants.

How is COBRE described in practical terms for an institution?

In practical terms, COBRE is meant to help an institution move from having pockets of research activity to having a sustained, organized research environment that consistently produces fundable ideas, strong preliminary data, and successful grant applicants.