Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the How to Apply - Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

There are several options available to submit your application through Grants.gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners. You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity.

1. Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online.
2. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants.gov and eRA Commons to track your application. Check with your institutional officials regarding availability.
3. Use Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit your application and eRA Commons to track your application.

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

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. 

Consistent with this purpose, the R25 program is designed to advance several key educational and workforce development objectives:

• Support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs;
• Help recruit individuals with specific specialty or disciplinary backgrounds to research careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences; and
• Foster a better understanding of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research and its implications. 

To help meet these objectives, this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support educational activities with a primary focus on Research Experiences.

Research Education Program Structure

Proposed programs should provide mentored research experiences as part of a comprehensive program based on educational practices designed to stimulate the interest, skills and knowledge base of participants. In addition to providing mentored research experiences, programs are expected to include complementary activities appropriate to the educational stage of program participants that support the participants' scientific development, such as scientific writing and presentation skills, and instruction to enhance rigor and reproducibility in research.

Programs should have clear goals and objectives appropriate for the educational level and needs of the audience to be reached, including the content to be conveyed, and the intended outcome(s). For example, outcomes may include the following:

• For high school and college science teachers: to enhance their knowledge of cutting-edge biomedical research and incorporate relevant technologies and approaches into classroom environments to improve student learning.
• For undergraduate students or postbaccalaureate researchers: to provide hands-on exposure to research, to reinforce their intent to graduate with a science degree, to prepare them for graduate school admissions or careers in research.
• For masters, doctoral, medical, dental, nursing, and other health professional students: to provide research experiences and related training not available through formal NIH training mechanisms.
• For postdoctorates, clinical residents and fellows, and faculty: to extend their skills, experiences, and knowledge base in state-of-the-art biomedical research approaches. 

Programs proposed through this R25 can vary in structure and duration.  For example, programs can be short-term (e.g., 8–12-week summer research experiences for students or teachers), a full academic or calendar year (e.g., postbaccalaureate research experiences), or spread over multiple years (e.g., part-time mentored research experiences for clinical residents). Programs should be designed consistent with the stated goals and objectives, and the educational stage of the participants to be reached. The proposed program is expected to align with the mission of the NIH Institute, Center, and 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 ICO 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).  Recipients 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 race, ethnicity, or sex of PI/PD applicants, 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.

Other Considerations

Programs focused on research experiences may incorporate secondary elements such as mentoring activities, courses, curriculum and methods development, and outreach; however, those with a primary focus on one of these elements should be submitted to companion R25 NOFO PA-27-035 or PA-27-034, or to other non-parent R25 NOFOs that emphasize mentoring activities, outreach, and/or curriculum and methods development. 

Research education programs may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant organization, but the proposed educational experiences should be distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving Federal support. Research education programs may augment institutional research training programs (e.g., T32, T90) but cannot be used to replace or circumvent Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs.

Additional Information

Because of the differences in individual Institute, Center, and Office (ICO) program differences in ICO research education funding considerations, prospective applicants should consult the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices website to make sure that their application is appropriate for the requirements of one of the participating NIH ICOs.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

Other Award Budget Information

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Higher Education Institutions - Includes all types

• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

For-Profit Organizations

• Small Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)

Local Governments

• State Governments
• County Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• Indian/Native American Tribal
• Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)

Federal Governments

• U.S. Territory or Possession

• Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Other

• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
• Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
• Regional Organizations

The sponsoring organization must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant organization.

Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. 

Applicant Organizations

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information.

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. Foreign organizations must obtain a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)- A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account.  PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

All PD(s)/PI(s) must be registered with ORCID. The personal profile associated with the PD(s)/PI(s) eRA Commons account must be linked to a valid ORCID ID. For more information on linking an ORCID ID to an eRA Commons personal profile see the ORCID topic in our eRA Commons online help.

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the How to Apply - Application Guide.

The PD/PI should have the required experience and expertise required to provide both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

Multiple PDs/PIs are encouraged, particularly when each brings unique skill sets and experiences that will enhance the research education program. At least one of the PDs/PIs must have a record of using rigorous biomedical research in a field applicable to the program to provide scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the program. Additional PDs/PIs with relevant expertise may be included to strengthen the PD/PI team. 

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2 Definition of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application. This means that the NIH will not accept:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review. (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications)

Program Faculty

Program faculty should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Program faculty should demonstrate strong commitments to mentoring and providing safe and supportive research education environments. Programs are encouraged to recruit prospective faculty from various career stages (for example, early-career as well as established faculty). 

Participants

Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Eligible participants include high school students, science teachers, undergraduates, postbaccalaureates, predoctoral graduate and health professional students, postdoctoral scholars and those engaged in clinical residency/specialty training, early career and established investigators. 

Applications must describe the intended participants, the career levels for which the proposed program is planned, and describe how the content is appropriate for participants.  The PI/PD will select the participants to be supported by the research education program (see Research Education Funding Considerations and Contacts website for ICO priorities). It is the responsibility of the applicant organization to establish the qualifications of the participants, consistent with applicable law, before they are supported by the program. 

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity to do otherwise (in this NOFO, in a policy notice, or other notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions will not be reviewed.

All page limitations described in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply - Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

Facilities & Other Resources. Describe the educational environment, including the facilities, laboratories, participating departments, computer services, and any other resources to be used in the development and implementation of the proposed program. List all thematically related sources of support for research training and education following the format for Current and Pending (Other) Support. Appropriate institutional commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education program.

Other Attachments.

An Advisory Committee is not a required component of a Research Education program. However, if an Advisory Committee is intended, provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the research education program. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. New applications should not include the names of proposed Advisory Committee members, and proposed members should not be contacted prior to peer review. Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file "Advisory_Committee.pdf".

The filename provided for each “Other Attachment” will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

• Include all personnel other than the PD(s)/PI(s) in the Other Personnel section, including clerical and administrative staff.

• Use the section on Participant/Trainee Support Costs to include all allowable categories of funds requested to support participants in the program.

Follow all instructions provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy

Research Strategy section must be used to upload the Research Education Program Plan, which must include the following components described below:

• Proposed Research Education Program
• Program Director/Principal Investigator
• Program Faculty
• Program Participants
• Institutional Environment and Commitment
• Plan for Instruction in Methods to Enhance Reproducibility
• Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
• Evaluation Plan
• Dissemination Plan

Research Education Program Plan

Proposed Research Education Program. While the proposed research education program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant organization, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. When research training programs are on-going in the same department, the applicant organization should clearly distinguish between the activities in the proposed research education program and the research training supported by the training program. 

• Provide the underlying rationale and evidence supporting the need for the program.  In instances where the organization has other federally funded research education or training awards (e.g., NIH NRSA awards), describe how this award is distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving Federal support. 
• Provide an overview of the research education program, including length of the program, major programmatic activities, time commitment expected of participants (both research effort and associated professional development activities), and the educational concepts and principles on which the program is based.  The plan should describe research experiences that include an integrated set of activities that support the participants' scientific and career development, such as scientific writing and presentation skills.  
• Clearly state the goals and objectives of the proposed research experience program and how they address the priorities of one of the participating NIH institutes or centers (see NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices). 
• Describe how the research experiences will meet the specific needs of the intended participants, and the likelihood of improving their knowledge and skills. 
• Describe the strategy that will be used to ensure each participant's experience leverages their skills and experiences while addressing their specific points of development (for example, individual development plans). Describe how each participant's performance will be monitored and evaluated.
• Explain how participants will be matched with appropriate participating program faculty, and how the success of the participant-faculty match will be evaluated (including plans to address conflicts in the research education environment that may impede participant progress).
• Describe innovative aspects and explain the significance of the research experience program.
• Provide support for the feasibility of the proposed activities and how they relate to the strengths of the organization and describe the benchmarks to be used to assess the success of the research experience program.
• Consider potential problems that may be encountered and describe alternative strategies that could be employed. 

For Renewal Applications only:

Include a detailed Progress Report (note that the Progress Report falls within the Research Education Program Plan and is therefore included in the page limits for the Research Education Program Plan). Describe:

• Successes and challenges regarding implementing the programmatic elements described in the previous application.  State the original specific measurable goals, objectives, and anticipated milestones.  Describe program outcomes in the context of those goals, objectives and anticipated milestones, and provide explanations for failing to implement previously proposed programmatic elements.
• The need for continued support in advancing the programmatic priorities of one of the participating NIH institutes or centers. 
• The progress made in the last funding period and the success of the research experiences program in its plan to promote a safe and supportive research environment for all participants.
• What has been learned through program assessment and how the proposed program content and/or methodologies have been revised since the previous application, and why. 

Program Director/Principal Investigator. Describe arrangements for administration of the program.  Provide evidence that the Program Director/Principal Investigator has the appropriate expertise and experience necessary to organize, administer, monitor, and evaluate the proposed research education program. For programs proposing multiple PDs/PIs, describe the complementary and integrated expertise of the PDs/PIs, their leadership approach, and governance appropriate for the planned project.

 Provide evidence that an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program leadership to ensure the program's intended goal is accomplished. 

Program Faculty. The application should describe how the participating faculty will promote the success of the participants and the research education program. Faculty should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program and demonstrate a history of, or the potential for, their intended roles.  

Program Participants. Applications must identify the career levels for which the proposed program is planned.

• Applications must describe the eligibility criteria and/or specific educational background characteristics that are essential for participation in the proposed research education program. 
• Provide details about the pool of expected participants in the research experience program and the sources of the applicant pool. 
• Describe a recruitment strategy that will reach individuals who may significantly benefit from the program, including those who have not had substantial previous research experience. 
• Describe how participants will be selected from the eligible applicant pool. 

For Renewal Applications Only: Provide information on the applicants and participants in the last funding period. Describe participant outcomes in the context of the program's goals (for example, the number of participants, research products such as scientific presentation and publications, and subsequent career outcomes/accomplishments). Include a description of any changes to the recruitment or selection of participants since the previous application, and why. 

Institutional Environment and Commitment. Describe any additional aspects of the Institutional Environment and Commitment not addressed under "Facilities & Other Resources" or the required "Institutional Commitment Letter of Support," described below. Appropriate institutional commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education program. This section should not duplicate information provided elsewhere.

Where appropriate, describe any unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements that may be leveraged to the advantage of the proposed research experiences program.  If multiple sites are participating, describe how this will enhance the quality of the research experiences provided, as well as how activities will be coordinated and effective communication maintained among the multiple sites. 

Plan for Instruction in Methods to Enhance Reproducibility.  Applicants must provide a Plan for Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility. The plan should be appropriate and reasonable for the nature and duration of the proposed research education program, considering the specific activities of the proposed research education program and the level of participant experience.  See also NIH Guidance: Rigor and Reproducibility in Grant Applications.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research. Applicants must provide a plan in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), considering the specific characteristics of the proposed research education program and the level of participant experience.   See also: NOT-OD-10-019 and NOT-OD-22-055. 

Evaluation Plan. Applications must include a plan for evaluating the activities supported by the award.  The application must specify baseline metrics (e.g., numbers, educational levels, etc.), as well as measures to gauge the short or long-term success of the research education award in achieving its objectives. Wherever appropriate, applicants are encouraged to obtain feedback from participants to help identify weaknesses and to provide suggestions for improvements.

Dissemination Plan. A specific plan must be provided to disseminate nationally any findings resulting from or materials developed under the auspices of the research education program, e.g., sharing course curricula and related materials via web postings, presentations at scientific meetings, and workshops.

Letters of Support

A letter of institutional commitment must be attached as part of Letters of Support (see "Institutional Environment and Commitment" section above.)

Resource Sharing Plan

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide, with the following modification:

Generally, Resource Sharing Plans are not applicable to this Program. When relevant, applications are expected to include a software dissemination plan if support for development, maintenance, or enhancement of software is requested in the application. There is no prescribed single license for software produced. 

Other Plan(s):

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

• A Data Management and Sharing Plan is not applicable for this NOFO.

Appendix

Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow the instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply - Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:

If you answered "Yes" to the question "Are Human Subjects Involved?" on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record.

Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Delayed Onset Study

Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 2. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH's electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7.9.1 Selected Items of Cost.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization's profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete or non-compliant will not be reviewed.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov. 

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

For this particular NOFO, note the following:

The goal of this research education program is to support activities that provide research experiences to participants as part of a comprehensive program based on sound educational practices designed to stimulate the interest, skills and knowledge base of participants.  Programs should have clear goals and objectives as well as describe appropriate structured activities to achieve those goals.

NIH recognizes that rigorous, well-designed research education programs that further the goal of this NOFO can take place in various organizational environments and with program faculty who have varying levels of NIH research project grant support. Reviewers will evaluate proposed programs considering stated goals and objectives, organizational context, available resources, and the capacity of those resources to meet the stated goals and objectives.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to strongly advance research education by fulfilling the goal of this research education program, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria, as applicable for the project proposed.

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

2. Review and Selection Process 

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), convened by CSR, in accordance with NIH peer review policies and practices, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will receive a written critique.

Applications may undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of the established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures. This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.

Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant's federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov.  NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 2 CFR Part 200.206 "Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants."  This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient's business official.

In accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions. 

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk.  For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see Award Process.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) Approval: Recipient institutions must ensure that protocols are reviewed by their IRB or IEC. To help ensure the safety of participants enrolled in NIH-funded studies, the recipient must provide NIH copies of documents related to all major changes in the status of ongoing protocols.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH: 

• The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Recipients, and Activities.  

All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.

By applying for or accepting federal funds from HHS, recipients certify compliance with all federal antidiscrimination laws and these requirements and that complying with those laws is a material condition of receiving federal funding streams. Recipients are responsible for ensuring subrecipients, contractors, and partners also comply.

Applicants and recipients are strongly encouraged to refer to the NIH Director's Statement of Priorities, entitled "Advancing NIH's Mission Through a Unified Strategy." 

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.340, by accepting an NIH award, the recipient agrees that continued funding for the award is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds, recipient satisfactory performance, compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the award, and may also otherwise be terminated, to the extent authorized by law, if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities, in line with 2 CFR 200.340(a)(4).

Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, Div. N, § 405, Pub. Law 114-113, 6 USC § 1533(d), the HHS Secretary has established a common set of voluntary, consensus-based, and industry-led guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes.

Successful recipients under this NOFO agree that:

When recipients, subrecipients, or third-party entities have:

• ongoing and consistent access to HHS owned or operated information or operational technology systems; and
• receive, maintain, transmit, store, access, exchange, process, or utilize personal identifiable information (PII) or personal health information (PHI) obtained from the awarding HHS agency for the purposes of executing the award.

Cybersecurity plans and procedures must at minimum include the following:

• Develop cybersecurity plans and procedures, modeled after the NIST Cybersecurity framework, to protect HHS systems and data:
  • Identify:
    • Develop an inventory of all assets and accounts with access to HHS owned and operated information or operational technology systems or which obtain PII or PHI for the purposes of the award.
  • Protect:
    • Limit access to HHS owned and operated systems to only those in need of access to complete reward activities.
    • Require all staff to complete annual cybersecurity and privacy awareness training. Visit 405(d): Knowledge on Demand (hhs.gov) to obtain free trainings, if needed.
    • Enable multifactor authentication for all employees, subrecipients, and third-party entities to access HHS owned and operated information or operational technology systems.
    • Regularly backup sensitive data and test backups.
  • Detect:
    • Install anti-virus or anti-malware software on all devices, servers, and accounts used to connect to HHS owned and operated systems.
  • Respond:
    • Develop an incident response plan. See Incident-Response-Plan-Basics_508c.pdf (cisa.gov) to learn about developing incident response plans.
    • Have cybersecurity incident reporting procedures that ensure the relevant HHS awarding agencies are notified of a cybersecurity incident within 48 hours of discovery. A cybersecurity incident is defined as an unplanned interruption to a technology service or reduction in the quality of a technology service, or an occurrence that actually or potentially jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an information system or the information the system processes, stores, or transmits.
  • Recover:
    • Investigate incidents and plug any security gaps identified. 

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings.  Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate; racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety.  If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

For applications involving substance abuse, the application must not support harm reduction. Please see Updated Funding Guidance for Recipients on Supplies and Services.

For applications involving funding Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) or medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), this funding should be used to provide comprehensive treatment and recovery support services rather than medication-only models for opioid use disorder. Services should include medications, where clinically indicated, in conjunction with psychosocial and other treatment and recovery support services. Funding can also be used to support individualized tapering and discontinuation of medications when clinically indicated. Please see Updated Funding Guidance for Recipients on  MAT/MOUD.

As of October 1, 2025, HHS has adopted 2 CFR Part 200, with some modifications included in 2 CFR Part 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR Part 75. However, for NIH, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2026, (P.L. 119-75, Division B, Title II, Sec. 224), the provisions relating to indirect costs in 45 CFR 75 continue to apply to NIH awards. Consistent with the statute, NIH will not apply updated thresholds outlined within 2 CFR Part 200, at this time.

Not Applicable

3. Data Management and Sharing

A Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) is not applicable for this NOFO. 

Not applicable for R25 research education program awards.

4. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.4.1 Reporting.  To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted. Programs that involve participants should report on education in the responsible conduct of research in accordance with the RPPR Instruction Guide.

NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 2 CFR 200.301.

Failure by the recipient institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

Other Reporting Requirements

• As applicable by the awarding IC, the institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each participant appointed full time for eight weeks or more or the equivalent. Recipients must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More information on xTrain is available at xTrain (eRA Commons). An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.
• Participant Termination Notice: As applicable by the awarding IC, within 30 days of the end of the total support period for each participant, the institution must submit a Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7) via xTrain for each participant appointed full time for eight weeks or more, or the equivalent.

A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.6 Closeout.

5. Evaluation

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, NIH or its Institutes and Centers will periodically evaluate their R25 research education programs, employing the measures identified below.  In assessing the effectiveness of its research education investments, NIH may request information from databases, PD/PIs, and from participants themselves.  Where necessary, PD/PIs and participants may be contacted after the completion of a research education experience for periodic updates on participants' subsequent educational or employment history and professional activities.

Upon the completion of a program evaluation, NIH and its ICs will determine whether to (a) continue a program as currently configured, (b) continue a program with modifications, or (c) discontinue a program.

In evaluating this research education program, NIH expects to use the following evaluation measures:

High-school Students:

• Aggregate number of participants
• Subsequent educational/career progress, including:

Successful completion of a high school degree
Enrollment in an undergraduate degree program in a STEM field
Subsequent participation in research

Science Teachers:

• Aggregate number of participants
• Number of courses with enhanced STEM curriculum
• Number of STEM courses taught in subsequent years
• Evidence of changes to pre-existing curriculum as a result of summer experience

Undergraduate Students:

• Aggregate number and demographic characteristics of participants
• Subsequent educational/career progress, including:

Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in a STEM field
Enrollment in an advanced degree program in a STEM field

Postbaccalaureate Researchers:

• Aggregate number of participants
• Subsequent educational/career progress, including:

Enrollment in an advanced degree program in a STEM field 
Subsequent participation in a formal research training or career development program in a STEM field

Graduate Students:

• Aggregate number of participants
• Subsequent educational/career progress of participants, including:

Successful completion of a STEM graduate program
Subsequent participation in a formal research training or career development program in a STEM field
Subsequent participation in research
Subsequent employment in a research or research-related field
Subsequent authorship of scientific publications in a STEM field
Subsequent independent research grant support from NIH or another source

Postdoctorates and Early Career Investigators:

• Aggregate number of participants
• Subsequent educational/career progress of participants, including: 

Subsequent participation in research
Subsequent employment in a research or research-related field
Subsequent authorship of scientific publications in a STEM field
Subsequent independent research grant support from NIH or another source    

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Because of the difference in individual Institute, Center and Office (ICO) program requirements for this NOFO, prospective applications MUST consult participating NIH Scientific/ Research Contacts to make sure that their application is responsive to the requirements of one of the participating NIH ICOs. Prior consultation with the Research Education Funding Considerations and Contacts is strongly encouraged.

eRA Service Desk - Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues.

Grants.gov Support Center - Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and services (e.g., Workspace, subscriptions).

Please consult the Research Education Funding Considerations and Contacts NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) website, to make sure that the application is responsive to the requirements of one of the participating NIH ICOs. Prior consultation with NIH staff is strongly encouraged.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Email: NICHDextrain@mail.nih.gov

Office of Research Training and Career Development 
National Institutes of Drug Abuse (NIDA)  
Email: NIDA_Training@nida.nih.gov

The INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project
Email: DownSyndromeINCLUDE@mail.nih.gov

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Email: NHGRI_Training@mail.nih.gov

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Email: AITrainingHelpDesk@niaid.nih.gov

NINDS Training Office:
Email: NINDSTrainingOffice@ninds.nih.gov

Training, Workforce Initiative, and Community Engagement Unit
NIH Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS)
Email: ds-workforce@nih.gov

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Email: NIDCRtraining@nidcr.nih.gov

Tribal Health Research Office
throinfo@od.nih.gov

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: NIA-NOFO-Scientific@nih.gov

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMSR25research@nih.gov

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Email: nidcd.training@mail.nih.gov

Office of Research Training and Career Development
National Institute of Mental Health
Email: NIMHTraining@mail.nih.gov

NEI Extramural Programs 
Email: NEI_extramural@nih.gov

Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH):
Email: orwhcareers@nih.gov

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Email: NINRProgram@mail.nih.gov

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov

NLM Extramural Programs
NLMProgram@nih.gov

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Email: nhlbi_r25@nhlbi.nih.gov
Subject: PA-27-036

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Center for Cancer Training
Contact inbox: NCIR25@mail.nih.gov

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Scientific Program Contact:
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
Email: NIDDK_DEM@nih.gov 

Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
Email: NIDDK_DDN@nih.gov 

Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
Email: NIDDK_KUH@nih.gov

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Email: NIAAA-Training@mail.nih.gov

Examine your eRA Commons account for review assignment and contact information (information appears two weeks after the submission due date).

Please consult the Research Education Funding Considerations and Contacts (ICOs) website, to make sure that the application is responsive to the requirements of one of the participating NIH ICOs. Prior consultation with NIH staff is strongly encouraged.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Email: nichdgrantsmanagement@mail.nih.gov

Chief, Grants Management Officer 
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) 
Email: nidagmbemail@nida.nih.gov

The INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project
Email: DownSyndromeINCLUDE@mail.nih.gov

Grants Administration Branch
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) 
Email: nhgrigab@mail.nih.gov

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Email: NIAIDFinancial-GrantsContact@mail.nih.gov

Chief Grants Management Officer:
Email: ChiefGrantsManagementOfficer@ninds.nih.gov

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Email: deeranotifications@nidcr.nih.gov

Tribal Health Research Office
throinfo@od.nih.gov

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: NIA-NOFO-Grants@nih.gov

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMSTWDGABNOFO@nih.gov

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Email: NIDCDGrantsMgt@nidcd.nih.gov

Grants Management (NOFOs)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Email: NIMHNOFOGrantsManagement@mail.nih.gov  

NEI Grants Management 
Email: NEI_extramural@nih.gov

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Email: NINRProgram@mail.nih.gov

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov

NLM Grants Management
NLMGrants@nih.gov

Office of Grants Management
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Email: NHLBIOGMInbox@nhlbi.nih.gov
Subject: PA-27-036

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Email: NIDDKGMBManagementTeam@niddk.nih.gov

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Grants Management Contact:
Email: NIAAA-GMB@mail.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.