Pathways Program Grants is sponsored by NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) in collaboration with the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP). This grant is intended for pathway programs investigating the effectiveness of strategies that increase the number of underrepresented and traditionally underserved individuals in the medical profession. It supports programs that create pathways to careers in medicine.

Pathway Program Grants | NBME In collaboration with the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP), NBME is supporting pathway programs across the educational continuum. This grant is intended for pathway programs investigating the effectiveness of strategies that increase the number of underrepresented and traditionally underserved individuals in the medical profession.

Application Guidelines for Full Proposals Letters of Intent are due by March 23, 2026 and final proposals for innovations to advance pathways and bridges to medicine programs are due by June 28, 2026.

NBME and the ASPBP are working collaboratively to develop evidence-based best practices demonstrating how pathway programs successfully support recruiting, educating and retaining physicians, particularly those from populations underrepresented and/or traditionally underserved in medicine. To do this, the organizations are creating various pathway program grant opportunities across the educational continuum.

This funding opportunity is designed to support programs that create pathways to careers in medicine. Community-based, elementary to high school and higher education programs are eligible to submit applications that focus on evaluating the evidence for success of a particular educational or programmatic intervention strategy.

Eligibility to apply includes 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations and programs or their fiscal sponsors and not-for-profit institutions. Eligibility Requirements: 501c3 nonprofit organization or its fiscal sponsor or nonprofit institution. 501c3 documentation is not required unless requested.

If applicable , IRB letter of approval or exemption (research comparing standard practice methodology in an educational setting) or determination of Quality Improvement is necessary prior to allocation of funds. Progress reports shall be provided at the conclusion of the funding period to ASPBP and forwarded to NBME. NBME acknowledgment shall be required on all materials or information relating to the Grants.

Grantee shall present at the annual ASPBP conference and become member of ASPBP for duration of the grant funding period. Only one application, either seed or materials and resources grant, per project, but not necessarily per organization can be submitted.

Four SEED Grants (up to $20K) Four Resource grants (up to $5K) One-time awards up to $20,000 for programs wanting to develop the foundation for an innovative intervention strategy (or strategies). Community programs, established education entities, and any collaborations are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be asked to submit their proposal describing/explaining: The planned intervention based on literature or preliminary data or an explanation of its innovation The significance/potential impact of the intervention The plan for subsequent implementation of the intervention The plan for assessment strategies of the intervention Material and Resources Grants One-time awards up to $5,000 for existing or new program.

Applicants will be asked to describe the need for the requested resource, and how it will sustain and advance the program as well as a limited assessment strategy.

Applicants will be asked to submit their proposal describing/explaining: How the grant will improve the existing programs with needed educational resources, including but not limited to software, supplies, travel expenses for learner participants etc. The development of a new program Submission of a broad range of interventions including learner support such as tutoring, mentoring and psychosocial support or learner resources such as a centralized database of available programs are encouraged.

Key performance indicators include the rate of recruitment, matriculation, retention and graduation of learners. Key criteria for evaluation and funding include: The significance of the project’s impact. The innovation and feasibility of the approach.

The expertise of the investigators. Collaboration and partnership among and within participating institutions and/or organizations. Active engagement with and participation by learners.

The supportiveness of the environment. Being well-grounded in literature or practice. Letters of intent are due March 23, 2026 .

Submit your Letter of Intent to the Innovations to Advance Pathway and Bridge Programs to Medicine Grant Program Online Portal . Letters should include: Name of investigator(s), affiliation, institution or non-profit organization, contact info, institutional contact. Identify the type of grant that is applied for.

Brief description of proposal up to 500 words. When you are ready to submit your Letter of Intent, please visit the Innovations to Advance Pathway and Bridge Programs to Medicine Grant Program Online Portal . Login or create an account on NBME’s Submittable page.

Read the Guidelines and complete the form. Follow the instructions for submitting your application and attach any required documents. You may save your online application at any time and return to complete it later by scrolling to the bottom of the submission form and selecting “Save Draft.

” After reviewing your letter of intent and conducting due diligence, NBME will invite applicants who meet eligibility requirements to submit a full proposal in early May. Full application proposals are due by June 28, 2026 . Decisions will be announced no later than November 2026.

For questions about Letters of Intent, please email: NBMEpathwaygrants@nbme. org . Application Guidelines for Full Proposals Full proposals should include and be formatted in the following way: Name of Principal Investigator(s), affiliation, institution, contact information, institutional contact.

Abstract/Summary Page (≤2 page) Summary of need and rationale, hypothesis of objective(s), explanation of how specific aims verify hypothesis or achieve objective. Summary statement highlighting the significance, the feasibility of the approach, the innovation, the expertise of the investigators and the conduciveness of the environment.

Significance and Rationale Seed grants: identify the need for intervention(s) and their potential impact. Material and Resource Grants: identify the need for materials and resources. Introduction to the intervention.

Summary of what is known about the intervention including preliminary data from own prior research/observation/existing program/ existing educational tool. Describe how increased representation is measured. Clearly state the hypothesis or objective(s).

Explain the rationale of how the hypothesis or objective(s) address the need identified in the prior section on need analysis. Describe the specific goals including existing data/infrastructure that support the specific aims. Elaborate on how specific aims verify hypothesis or achieve objective.

Explain how goals align with key performance indicators. Intervention: Study Design/Program Design/Educational Material Describe the study design/program design/material. Explain why these are best suited to address the overall purpose of this proposal.

Describe methods of how preliminary data were obtained or existing programs developed or material was designed. Include methods of statistical and/or qualitative analyses to determine the effect of the intervention on representation using key performance indicators. Anticipated Outcome, Evaluations and Pitfalls Describe how success of project is assessed focusing on the key performance indicators.

Multiple Principal Investigator/Institutions/Programs (if applicable) Describe the benefit of the collaborative approach. Clearly delineate responsibilities of each member of the study team. Describe communication and coordination.

Provide authorship plan for dissemination of results. The budget must provide sufficient details to fully explain and justify the resources needed to accomplish all specific aims.

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