Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 258
This funding opportunity, PAR-21-258, is a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) NIH Research Education Program (R25) grant focused on advancing the careers of a diverse research workforce. The program sits within NIH's broader R25 mechanism, which is designed to support structured research education activities aligned with NIH mission areas. In this case, the core purpose is to expand and strengthen the pipeline of people pursuing biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers, with particular emphasis on individuals from diverse backgrounds and from groups that are underrepresented in these research fields.
The central goal is workforce development through education rather than through conducting new research studies. The opportunity encourages applicants to propose creative, well-organized education programs that help participants gain the skills, experiences, and professional support they need to continue into research training and research careers. NIAID highlights three main activity types that it expects to see as the primary focus of supported programs: courses for skills development (for example, structured instruction in research methods, scientific writing, data analysis, responsible conduct of research, or other career-relevant competencies), research experiences (such as supervised, hands-on research exposure that builds practical capability and confidence), and mentoring activities (formal mentoring structures that provide guidance, networking, career planning, and ongoing support).
The award is categorized as a discretionary grant under the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.855) and uses the R25 funding instrument. A key restriction is embedded in the title: "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." That means applications cannot propose independent clinical trials as part of the program. The emphasis is on education and career development activities rather than testing interventions in clinical trial formats.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and institutions. Eligible applicants include a wide range of governmental entities (state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments), independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities may apply, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The FOA also allows nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)) and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), as well as small businesses and other types of applicants included under NIH rules. In addition, the announcement specifically calls out a range of mission-relevant institution types and community-linked entities as "other eligible applicants," including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies are also identified as potential applicants, reflecting the program's interest in reaching trainees through multiple educational and community pathways. U.S. territories and possessions are also included.
At the same time, the FOA places clear limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization and the supported program activities must be structured so they do not rely on foreign organizational components in ways NIH defines as foreign components.
The opportunity was created on July 16, 2021, with an original closing date listed as September 7, 2023. While the listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the core takeaway is that this is a capacity-building and career-advancement program aimed at strengthening research readiness and career progression for diverse and underrepresented participants through targeted coursework, meaningful research exposure, and sustained mentoring, all within NIAID-relevant mission areas and without proposing clinical trials.Apply for PAR 21 258
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIAID Research Education Program Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - PAR-21-258 (NIAID Research Education Program R25)
What is PAR-21-258?
PAR-21-258 is a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funding opportunity under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). It supports structured research education activities intended to advance the careers of a diverse research workforce.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The main purpose is workforce development through education. The program is designed to expand and strengthen the pipeline of individuals pursuing biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers, with an emphasis on individuals from diverse backgrounds and groups underrepresented in these research fields.
Is this opportunity meant to fund new research studies?
No. The emphasis is on structured research education and career development activities rather than conducting new research studies as the primary objective.
What types of activities does NIAID expect supported programs to focus on?
NIAID highlights three primary activity types expected to be the main focus of supported programs: (1) courses for skills development, (2) research experiences, and (3) mentoring activities.
What are examples of "courses for skills development" under this program?
Examples described include structured instruction in areas such as research methods, scientific writing, data analysis, responsible conduct of research, and other career-relevant competencies.
What does "research experiences" mean in this context?
Research experiences refer to supervised, hands-on research exposure intended to build participants' practical skills, capability, and confidence as they progress toward research training and research careers.
What kinds of mentoring activities are encouraged?
Mentoring activities may include formal mentoring structures that provide guidance, networking, career planning, and ongoing professional support for participants.
Which NIH funding mechanism and instrument are used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R25 mechanism and the R25 funding instrument as a research education program.
How is this award categorized?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the health funding activity category, with CFDA 93.855.
Are clinical trials allowed under PAR-21-258?
No. The funding opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications cannot propose independent clinical trials as part of the program.
If clinical trials are not allowed, what should the program emphasize instead?
The program should emphasize education and career development activities, such as coursework, research exposure experiences, and structured mentoring, rather than testing interventions in a clinical trial format.
Who can apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and institutions, including many government entities, educational institutions, tribal entities, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, and other applicant types permitted under NIH rules.
Are state and local government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Are independent school districts eligible applicants?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed among eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible higher education applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are also listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible applicants?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and nonprofit organizations that are not 501(c)(3) are eligible.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also included among eligible applicants.
Does the FOA specifically encourage applications from certain institution types?
Yes. The announcement specifically identifies several mission-relevant and community-linked institution types as other eligible applicants, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, TCCUs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and AANAPISIs.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are identified as potential applicants.
Are U.S. federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed as potential applicants.
Are U.S. territories and possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. U.S. territories and possessions are included.
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization apply if the program includes a non-domestic component?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are "foreign components" allowed in projects funded under this opportunity?
No. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed under this opportunity.
What does the restriction on foreign involvement mean in practical terms?
In practical terms, the applicant organization and supported program activities must be structured so they do not rely on foreign organizational components in ways NIH defines as foreign components.
Who are the intended participants of the supported programs?
The programs are intended to help build a diverse research workforce by supporting individuals pursuing biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers, with particular emphasis on individuals from diverse backgrounds and groups underrepresented in these fields.
What is NIAID looking for in proposed education programs?
The opportunity encourages creative and well-organized education programs that help participants gain skills, experiences, and professional support to continue into research training and research careers.
What NIH mission areas should the education activities align with?
The R25 mechanism supports structured research education activities aligned with NIH mission areas; for this opportunity, the program is within NIAID, so activities should be aligned with NIAID-relevant mission areas.
When was this funding opportunity created, and what closing date is listed?
The opportunity was created on July 16, 2021, and the original closing date listed is September 7, 2023.
Does the listing include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
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| Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 21 033 Funding Number: RFA HG 21 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
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