National Institute of
IPERT Frequently Asked Questions
Can a proposed IPERT program support the medical or health care training of physicians, patients, practitioners, or otherwise focus on medical or clinical education?
No. IPERT programs must focus on training the biomedical research workforce. IPERT is a research education program.
Can an IPERT program enroll participants from a single organization?
No. IPERT activities must be open to the broader biomedical community and not be restricted to participants from a single organization. NIGMS prioritizes programs that are open to participants nationwide. Strong justification should be provided for proposed programs with regional participant pools, for example, if the program serves specific regional needs or if nationwide participation is not practical (see PAR-24-252 for additional information).
What are considerations for innovation if I have already conducted programming related to my proposed IPERT program?
All IPERT applications, including those with prior related programming supported by NIGMS, are expected to:
- Apply novel concepts, methods, or technologies, OR
- Use existing concepts, methods, or technologies in novel ways.
An application that simply proposes continuing previously implemented activities may be considered to lack innovation or not align with the IPERT program goals. However, broadly expanding an already developed program may be appropriate if it meets a significant need in the biomedical research workforce.
Who is required to complete the "Results from Related NIGMS Support" section of the Research Education Program Plan? What types of grants are relevant?
This section is required if any senior/key personnel on the proposed program have any current or previous IPERT or R13 support related to the application. NIGMS training grants or research support should not be included. See the NOFO for additional information.
Should all participants be U.S. citizens or permanent residents?
Generally, yes. Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to the NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Are "Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility" and "Responsible Conduct of Research" sections required in the application?
A plan for instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility or Responsible Conduct of Research should be included in the Program activities section of the Research Strategy if it is relevant to the proposed IPERT programming. Because the objectives of IPERT programs will vary, not all are expected to include these components.
Do IPERT programs have to have a scientific focus? Is there an advantage to having a scientific focus?
A scientific focus is not necessary but could be appropriate for a proposed IPERT program. NIGMS encourages applications that are intended for individuals in a variety of biomedical fields; however, if a scientific area is described, priority is given for programs addressing areas of study within the NIGMS mission.