The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program supports the establishment and development of innovative biomedical research centers of excellence in an area of strategic importance to the organization and in alignment with the mission and priorities of the NIH.

The Fall 2025 open session of National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council includes the COBRE concept clearance. 

The COBRE program has two tracks that provide grantees with the means to build biomedical research capacity. The COBRE D-E-S track (three phases, maximum 15 years of support) is targeted toward institutions without any existing research capacity in the proposed broad area of research. The COBRE E-S track (two phases, maximum 10 years of support) is intended for institutions with an existing degree of research capacity amenable to expansion and growth in the proposed area of research. The five-year phases of the COBRE program are as follows:

• COBRE-D (Development Phase): Supports a long-term institutional vision leading to the creation of a center in a broad area of biomedical research that is currently not supported at the applicant organization through the recruitment of early career faculty, establishment of research facilities, and enhancement of research administration. Grant Opportunity Forecast: PAR-27-054.
• COBRE-E (Expansion Phase): Expands research capacity by growing the institutional faculty base, research projects, and core facilities. Notice of Funding Opportunity: PAR-27-055.
• COBRE-S (Sustainability Phase): Sustains the expanded research infrastructure by continuing to grow the faculty and consolidating research cores to maintain research excellence beyond COBRE support. Notice of Funding Opportunity: PAR-27-055.

Notice of Informational Webinar on the COBRE-E/S Program: NOT-GM-26-008.

COBRE Post-Award Project Submission and Approval Guidelines​

COBRE Interactive Portfolio Dashboard​

COBRE RPPR Suggested Tables