NBME contributes to the education and assessment communities with the goal of improving patient care through quality assessment of medical professionals, supporting the development of a diverse and compassionate health care workforce. To help achieve this goal, NBME – in collaboration with the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs (ASPBP) – awarded a total of $100,000 in grants in 2025 through theInnovations to Advance Pathways to Medicine Programs Grants.

By providing resources to assist programs and building collaborations that aid learners with education, mentorship and resources at a crucial time in their development, we hope to help programs develop and utilize best practices to drive changes in medical education in the long term and support ASPBP in developing a pathway program community of practice.

These grants support pathway programs across the entire educational continuum. Community-based, elementary to high school and higher education programs were invited to submit applications that focus on evaluating the evidence for success of a particular educational or programmatic intervention strategy. NBME and ASPBP announced the 2026 grant cycle in February.

The awarded grants are listed below and include single-year grants for $20,000 and $5,000 respectively.  

Seed Grants - $20,000

The University of Texas at Tyler, School of Medicine

Mass General Brigham/Brigham and Women's Hospital

Nova Southeastern University

Rutgers Cancer Institute

Material and Resource Grants - $5,000

University of Texas at Tyler, School of Medicine

Stanford School of Medicine/Stanford Cardiovascular Institute

Alliance in Mentorship (MiMentor)

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine