Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Supporting educational summer research experiences for high school and undergraduate students or science teachers within NIH mission areas.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: February 15, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | March 17, 2026 (Application) | May 7, 2026 (AIDS) | February 15, 2027 (Letter of Intent) | March 17, 2027 (Application) | May 7, 2027 (AIDS)
Funding Amounts: Up to $125,000 direct costs/year for up to 5 years; minimum 8 weeks and maximum 15 weeks of research experience per year.
Summary: Supports summer research education experiences for high school and undergraduate students or science teachers in NIH mission areas; clinical trials not allowed.
Key Information: Program must align with the mission of a participating NIH Institute/Center; general STEM programs are not eligible; limited submission per institution for some ICs.
Description
This NIH Research Education Program (R25) opportunity funds creative, hands-on summer research experiences for high school students, undergraduate students, and/or high school science teachers. The overarching goal is to foster a better understanding of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research and its implications, and to enhance the pipeline of future researchers and educators in NIH mission areas. Programs must be tailored to the needs and educational levels of participants and should not have a general STEM focus; they must fit within the specific mission of the NIH Institute or Center (IC) to which the application is submitted.
Participating ICs include:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- National Eye Institute (NEI)
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Programs should provide authentic, open-ended research experiences in laboratory or field settings, complemented by activities such as scientific writing, presentation skills, and training in research rigor and reproducibility. For science teachers, programs must include a clear plan for integrating the summer experience into their teaching.
Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity, but participants may gain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor.
