Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research educational activities that complement other formal training programs in the mission areas of the NIH Institutes and Centers.�
The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.
The goal of this R25 program is to support research educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in environmental health.
Fostering diversity in the scientific research workforce is a key component of the NIH strategy to identify, develop, support and maintain the quality of our scientific human capital�NOT-OD-20-031.
Every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise�from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation�requires superior intellect, creativity and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints. NIH's ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, who will help to further NIH's mission.
Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogenous teams. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. There are many benefits that flow from a diverse NIH-supported scientific workforce, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved or health disparity populations participate in, and benefit from health research, and enhancing public trust.
In spite of tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, educational and research opportunities are not equally available to all. NIH encourages institutions to diversify their student, postdoctorate and faculty populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences.
The NIEHS Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25) is a key activity in the implementation of the NIEHS Strategic Plan�(https://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/strategicplan/index.cfm)�designed to enhance the diversity of scientists engaged in NIH-funded environmental health science research. The NIEHS UP Program will provide support to appointed students from diverse backgrounds, such as those from underrepresented groups,�for up to 2 years of their undergraduate education, typically beginning as rising juniors, to gain hands-on experience with research activities in the Environmental Health Sciences. The undergraduate students will be supported for up to 15 hours/week during the academic year and 40 hours/week during the summer. Students may be appointed as participants beginning the summer before their junior year though the summer after their senior or final year. Applicant programs need to demonstrate an association with a strong graduate program in the Environmental Health Sciences as evidenced by the presence of a funded NIEHS T32 Training program, a strong base of funded research in the environmental health sciences, or a graduate program with a focus on environmental health sciences research training. An applicant can propose collaboration between their undergraduate UP program and a graduate program in the environmental health sciences at another institution.
NIEHS UP (R25) programs supported by this NOFO are expected to consist of both an introduction to environmental health sciences research through experience on a research project with the participating faculty and an organized educational program (seminars, etc.) designed to acquaint the participants with the larger field of the environmental health sciences. The focus of both the research experience and the educational experiences/seminars should be within the mission interests of the NIEHS, which explores how the environment affects people�s health. Programs which propose only the research experience within the context of a university wide program for undergraduate students will not be considered responsive to this announcement.
Application budgets may not exceed $125,000 in direct costs annually and need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
February 14, 2024
Michael C. Humble, Ph.D.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Telephone: 984-287-3272
Email: humble@niehs.nih.gov