NICHD Research Education Programs (R25 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 217

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 217

The NICHD Research Education Programs (R25 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR 18-217) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant designed to support structured research education activities that align with NIH mission areas, specifically those relevant to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The central purpose of this R25 program is workforce development: it aims to strengthen and expand educational experiences that complement and enhance existing research training pathways so the United States can meet ongoing biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. In practical terms, this mechanism is meant for institutions and organizations that want to build or improve research education programming (for example, curriculum-based research education, skills-focused workshops, mentored research exposure, or other organized educational initiatives) that prepares participants to participate in or advance research careers in NICHD-relevant areas. As indicated by the title, clinical trials are optional, meaning proposed education activities may involve clinical trial-related training or components, but they are not required.

This opportunity uses the NIH grant funding instrument and falls under the Health, Income Security and Social Services activity category, with CFDA number 93.865. The posted award ceiling is $150,000, which signals a relatively modest budget level typical of education-focused program support rather than large-scale research project funding. The original closing date listed is May 25, 2019, and the record creation date is November 29, 2017; applicants should treat these dates as part of the historical notice details and verify whether the program is currently active, reissued, or replaced by a newer announcement before planning an application strategy.

Eligibility is broad across government, academic, nonprofit, and some commercial entities, reflecting NIHs interest in supporting high-quality research education wherever it can be effectively delivered. Eligible applicant types include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofits are eligible whether they have 501(c)(3) status or not (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories), and for-profit organizations are also eligible (other than small businesses), as are small businesses and other miscellaneous eligible entities as defined by the solicitation.

The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants that NIH is encouraging to participate, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis suggests an interest in broad geographic and institutional representation and in strengthening research education capacity in settings that may serve diverse or historically underrepresented populations.

At the same time, the eligibility rules place firm limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. In addition, foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In effect, the program is structured to keep the applicant organization and the supported program activities fully domestic, without foreign subcomponents under the NIH foreign component framework.

Overall, this NICHD R25 opportunity is best understood as a mechanism for building high-impact research education programs that help develop a capable, well-prepared research workforce in fields related to child health and human development. It is not primarily a research project grant; instead, it funds educational infrastructure and programming that can enhance the pipeline of future researchers, improve research readiness and skills, and strengthen the national capacity for biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NICHD Research Education Programs (R25 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-05-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 18 217

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