The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, or NIGMS, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded the University of Florida a highly competitive T32 institutional Research Training Grant to support doctoral training in biomedical research.
The nearly $3 million, five-year grant will fund the newly established UF Genetics Training Program, led by Thomas P. Burris, Ph.D., director of the UF Genetics Institute and a professor and associate chair in the Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology in the UF College of Pharmacy.
With funding to support 12 predoctoral trainees annually, the grant will cover stipends, tuition, travel, training-related expenses and childcare support for those trainees engaged in research at the interface of genetics and genomics.
“By awarding this T32 grant, the NIH is making a significant investment in training the next generation of biomedical scientists,” said Burris, who previously served as chair of the Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology. “Based on the strength and innovation of the proposed training program, the NIH doubled the number of training positions and overall grant size from the original application. This expansion underscores the NIH’s confidence in the UF Genetics Training Program’s design, leadership and potential to produce high-impact biomedical researchers.”
This marks the second distinct NIH NIGMS doctoral T32 training grant awarded to Burris as a principal investigator. His first grant was focused on pharmacological sciences and drug discovery and was secured while he served as chair of pharmacology and physiology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. His repeated success in securing federal training support reflects his deep commitment to graduate education and scientific mentoring.
The UF Genetics Training Program, or UF-GTP, is a collaborative initiative between the UF Genetics Institute and the UF College of Medicine’s Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, uniting the strengths of both programs to deliver top-tier doctoral training in genetics and genomics. UF-GTP draws on existing academic structures, a broad faculty base and UF’s advanced artificial intelligence infrastructure to enhance trainee development. Key elements of the program include a flexible curriculum, core coursework in genetics and genomics, monthly research-in-progress seminars, training in scientific communication and research rigor and participation in the annual UF Genetics Symposium. The program also features a comprehensive evaluation framework to track success through retention, research productivity and career outcomes.
Over the five-year grant period, the UF-GTP is expected to train dozens of Ph.D. candidates for impactful careers in academia, industry and government. Trainees will benefit from interdisciplinary mentorship, a rigorous curriculum and immersive laboratory experiences designed to prepare them to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in biomedical science.
The UF-GTP is the third active training grant managed by the UF College of Pharmacy, joining the PARADIGM Training Program in precision medicine and the Chemistry-Biology Interface Predoctoral Program.
About the UF Genetics Institute
The UF Genetics Institute brings together over 240 faculty from 50 departments and 10 colleges across the University of Florida to advance genetics and genomics research, education and training. Collectively, UFGI faculty secure more than $80 million in annual extramural research funding, supporting a wide range of basic, translational and computational projects. This robust funding environment fosters a rich ecosystem for graduate training and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the UFGI Genetics & Genomics Doctoral Program
The UFGI Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. Program is an interdisciplinary graduate training program that prepares students to become leaders in basic and translational science. It offers a flexible, integrative curriculum that spans molecular genetics, bioinformatics, evolutionary biology and functional genomics. Students receive training through core coursework, specialized electives, hands-on laboratory research, and individualized mentoring by faculty from a wide range of disciplines. The program emphasizes critical thinking, communication and scientific integrity, equipping graduates to thrive in academia, industry, government or other biomedical career paths.
About the UF College of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program – Genetics Concentration
The UF College of Medicine’s Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Ph.D. program provides a rigorous, multidisciplinary foundation in biomedical research. Within this program, the genetics concentration offers students advanced training in areas such as gene regulation, functional genomics, developmental genetics, molecular evolution, and genome biology. Trainees work closely with faculty across UF’s academic health center and research institutes, including the UF Genetics Institute, and benefit from a collaborative environment that fosters innovative, cross-disciplinary research. Graduates are well-prepared to lead in diverse scientific careers that contribute to improving human health through genetic discovery.
About the UF College of Pharmacy
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 pharmacy college in Florida and the No. 4 nationally, the University of Florida College of Pharmacy has been developing future leaders in pharmacy practice and science for more than a century. At campuses in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando, award-winning faculty aim to improve the health of Floridians and people across the world through pharmacy education, high-impact research, and clinical innovation. As one of the top 3 pharmacy colleges nationally in annual research funding, the UF College of Pharmacy features preeminent researchers who are leading major medical breakthroughs in areas such as drug discovery and development, drug safety and precision medicine.
About the NIH T32 Program
NIH T32 Institutional Training Grants are awarded to academic institutions to develop or enhance research training opportunities for predoctoral and postdoctoral scientists. These prestigious awards support comprehensive programs that produce leaders in biomedical research.