The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.
To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this NOFO will support educational activities with a primary focus on:
- Courses for Skills Development
- Research Experiences
Another overarching goal of this R25 program is to support and integrate educational and mentorship 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 genomics research. This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) seeks to expose undergraduate and post-baccalaureate level students to the foundational sciences relevant to genomics to enable them to pursue careers that span all areas of interest to NHGRI - genome sciences, genomic medicine, genomics and society, genomic data science, and genomics and health equity. For the purposes of this NOFO, the term “genomics” encompasses issues and activities in these five areas.
To accomplish the stated overarching goal, this NOFO will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on Research Experiences for undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate trainees that include extensive mentorship activities. Programs should fall under the following categories: 1) summer, semester, or academic year programs for undergraduate trainees; 2) year-long program (duration of at least 12 months) for post-baccalaureate trainees. The research experiences must be based on the foundational sciences relevant to genomics: genomic sciences; genomic medicine; genomics and society; computational genomics and data science, or genomics and health equity. A secondary focus is on Courses for Skills Development. Complementary didactic activities are encouraged, especially those academic courses that have the potential to increase opportunities for success at the next career level. The proposed research education programs must include both research experiences and courses for skills development, with primary emphasis on the former. Proposed courses should be developed in conjunction with and support research experiences to enhance skills development.
Deadlines:
- Letter of Intent Due Date(s): 30 days before application due date.
- Application Due Dates: Nov. 15, 2023; Jan. 25, 2024;
PAR-22-268 Expiration Date New Date November 30, 2024 per NOT-HG-25-010 (Prior Date January 28, 2025). Any due dates beyond the new expiration date are no longer available.
To accomplish the stated overarching goals, this NOFO will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on:
- Research Experiences (primary focus): These mentored research experiences must be based on the foundational sciences relevant to genomics: genomic sciences; genomic medicine; genomics and society; computational genomics and data science, or genomics and health equity. Experiences can take place during the academic school year or as summer programs.
- Courses for Skills Development (secondary focus): Complementary didactic activities in genomics are encouraged, especially those academic courses that have the potential to increase opportunities for success at the next career level. Courses may also relate to development of professional skills, such as scientific writing and communication, interview skills or applying to graduate or professional schools.
Participants from engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, bioethics, social and behavioral sciences, law, and the humanities, pre-heath professional, and other relevant science programs who have an interest in genomics should be encouraged to participate in the program.
The sponsoring institution 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 institution.
The PD/PI should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing 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.
The PD/PI must have significant research funding from NIH (e.g. multiple research grants, a large center grant, or cooperative agreement, etc.) in at least one of the areas relevant to NHGRI's research programs - genome sciences, genomic medicine, genomics and society research, computational genomics and data science or genomics and health equity.
Only one award will be made per institution for activities that focus in one of five areas - genome sciences, genomic medicine, genomics and society, computational genomics and data science, and genomics and health equity. Institutions that already have an award in one of these five areas are not eligible to apply for an award in the same area, but can apply for an award in a different area. Institutions that have more than one NHGRI-supported R25 diversity program and/or T32 program must demonstrate coordination and collaboration such that there is synergy amongst the programs.
Application budgets are limited to $325,000 direct costs per year and need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
The total project period may not exceed 5 years.