Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D)

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D) is a five-year grant program administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The program is designed to build biomedical research capacity in IDeA-eligible states by supporting institutions that have limited existing infrastructure or expertise in strategic scientific areas. The primary objectives are to recruit and mentor three to six early- to mid-career investigators, establish research facilities, and enhance research administration support services. This development phase serves as an entry point for institutions to eventually transition into the Expansion and Sustainability phases of the COBRE program. Eligible institutions are limited to one application per entity and must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. The funding structure includes an initial ramp-up period of up to 12 months in the first year, with a maximum direct cost limit of 400,000 dollars for year one and 1.8 million dollars annually for years two through five. Specific budget caps apply to the Administrative Core and alterations or equipment. Applications are evaluated through a peer-review process focusing on the Administrative Core's management plan, recruitment strategies, and the scientific expertise of research core directors. Awardees must also comply with strict cybersecurity incident reporting requirements, notifying HHS within 48 hours of any discovery.