2026 NIH Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 program
Sponsor: NIHInternal Deadline: 01/17/2025Institutional Submission Limit: 1Program Website
A COBRE Phase 1 award supports the establishment of a multi-component center of excellence in an area of biomedical research that aligns with the applicant institution’s strategic priorities for growing its research capacity. The program aims to develop a critical mass of investigators who can compete effectively for independent, external research funding. To achieve this goal, the COBRE award supports a Center that provides research support and mentoring to faculty investigators and funding for their recruitment. Enhancements to the institution’s research infrastructure that facilitate the proposed research are also supported. An established investigator with scientific expertise in the research area of the Center as well as mentoring and administrative experience is expected to lead the Center as the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) of the award. An Advisory Committee (AC) comprised of institutional leadership and external experts in the scientific area should provide advice and oversight on critical scientific activities and administrative decisions. Required components of the Center include an Administrative Core and 3-5 Research Projects. Optional components include Research Cores and an Alteration and Renovation Project. All proposed components must be integral to attaining the goals of the Center and are expected to interact with each other and with relevant existing programs at the institution to foster a collaborative research environment.
Additional information is available on the COBRE webpage.
Until the 2026 COBRE solicitation is posted, PAR-22-250 can be used as a resource.
USC is limited to one submission.
Submission Process
Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.
If interested in applying for this opportunity, the following 3 steps are required:
- Complete the Intent to Submit form by Friday, January 17, 2025.
- Attend the in-person COBRE information session for priorities on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 1 – 3 p.m. at 1430 Senate St., Room 305.
- Submit the internal proposal package described here by 5pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Those invited to submit a proposal on USC’s behalf will be announced by June 1. There will be a team of successfully-funded COBRE PIs to assist with coaching and support throughout the proposal development process, and COBRE submission is due in January 2026.