NIH Research Education Program - Courses, Curriculum & Methods (Parent R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Companion Funding Opportunity

PA-27-035 , R25 Education Projects
PA-27-036 , R25 Education Projects

Applicants should propose projects focused on skills development and provide clear, practical content, with an expectation that participants will leave the program with enhanced research capabilities. Programs that include both didactic and hands-on research experiences, foster partnerships across disciplines and institutions, and employ innovative approaches are encouraged. The proposed program should be appropriate for offering to or being used by participant audiences that include biomedical, behavioral, and clinical researchers (e.g., health care providers; medical, dental, nursing, and other health professional students; graduate students; and/or members of the lay community involved in the dissemination of health information). Proposed programs are intended for participants at the undergraduate level or later career stages. 

The following activities are not within the scope of this NOFO:

• Training that is available to the proposed program participants through existing institutional courses.
• Seminars, workshops, presentations, demonstrations, and related activities that take place at a research conference, scientific symposium, or any other organized, formal meeting. This includes activities that were previously funded by, or are appropriate for support by, the NIH Research Conference Grant (R13 or U13) mechanism.
• Informational courses that lack concrete practical experience related to the conduct of research, including continuing medical education courses for physicians or other health professionals.
• Activities that primarily focus on the development or maintenance of mentoring networks or programs.

Programs submitted under this research education mechanism may vary in structure and duration. For example, the duration of the short courses can vary from one week or less to a maximum of 12 weeks, whereas curriculum or methods development projects may require up to two years for development, testing, and preparation for dissemination before being offered to the intended participant audience. Programs should be designed consistent with the stated goals and objectives, and the educational stage of the audience to be reached. The proposed program is expected to align with the mission of the NIH Institute, Center, or Office (ICO) to which the application is submitted. ICOs will not support projects, regardless of the results of peer review, if they do not align with current programmatic priorities. Therefore, potential applicants are encouraged to consult scientific/research staff at the intended IC listed in Section VII before preparing an application. A description of ICO priorities can be found on the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices website.

NIH encourages applications from a wide variety of eligible organizations, including those in Institutional Development Award (IDeA)-eligible states, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Grantees are encouraged to recruit participants who have the potential to significantly benefit from the program, including those who have not had substantial previous research experience. Consistent with existing NIH practices and applicable law, NIH does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of participant candidates, participants, or program faculty in the application review process or funding decisions. Applicants and award recipients are encouraged to consult with their General Counsel to ensure all applicable laws and regulations are followed in program design and implementation.