In 2005, HHMI and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) formed a partnership to support the development of new training opportunities in emerging interdisciplinary research environments. The goal of the program was to help biomedical research institutions develop a cadre of PhD scientists who trained to conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersections of the biomedical, physical, computational, and mathematical disciplines.

The initiative consisted of two phases. HHMI funded Phase I, which supported the establishment of new interdisciplinary training programs at research institutions. Phase II, funded by NIBIB, sustained the training programs through their critical early years.

In 2012, three projects aimed at enhancing interdisciplinary training for graduate students won HHMI Training Innovation Program supplement (TIPS) awards. The awards continue the Interfaces Initiative partnership program, which recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary research for the advancement of biomedical science.

TIPS awards respond to the growing need to share successful graduate-level research training strategies among biomedical research institutions. The resources developed through the grants will be disseminated to the broader research community.

No new competitions for this program are planned.

Phase I Awards

• $1 million over the three years of funding.

HHMI Training Innovation Program Supplement Awards

• Almost $90,000 over two years of funding