Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

---

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.

---

Due Dates

• Letter of Intent:
  • February 15, 2026 (for March 17, 2026 application)
  • February 15, 2027 (for March 17, 2027 application)
• Application Deadlines:
  • March 17, 2026 (New/Renewal/Resubmission)
  • May 7, 2026 (AIDS-related applications)
  • March 17, 2027 (New/Renewal/Resubmission)
  • May 7, 2027 (AIDS-related applications)
• Expiration Date: May 8, 2027

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

---

Funding Amount

• Maximum Direct Costs: $125,000 per year
• Project Period: Up to 5 years
• Duration of Research Experience: Minimum 8 weeks, maximum 15 weeks per year (may include part-time support during the academic year, not to exceed 15 weeks total within 12 months)
• Personnel Costs: Up to $50,000 combined for salary/benefits of staff directly administering the program
• Participant Costs:
  • High school/undergraduate students: salary/fringe per institutional policy (must be justified)
  • Science teachers: up to $21,000 for a 15-week full-time experience (prorated for shorter durations)
  • Up to $1,200 per participant for program-related expenses and travel to scientific meetings
• Indirect Costs: 8% of modified total direct costs

---

Eligibility

Eligible Organizations

• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal governments and organizations (federally recognized and other)
• Faith-based and community-based organizations
• Regional organizations
• U.S. territories and possessions

Note:

• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
• Foreign components are not allowed.

Eligible Individuals

• Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) must be an established investigator in a relevant scientific area and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership.
• Mentors must have relevant research expertise and a commitment to participant development.

Participants

• High school students, undergraduate students, or high school science teachers
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents (unless strongly justified)
• Appointed for a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 15 weeks per year

---

Application Process

1. Letter of Intent:

   • Strongly encouraged, due 30 days before the application deadline.
   • Should include project title, PD/PI and key personnel, participating institutions, and the funding opportunity number.

2. Application Submission:

   • Submit electronically via NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
   • Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and program-specific instructions in the FOA.

3. Required Registrations:

   • System for Award Management (SAM)
   • eRA Commons
   • Grants.gov

4. Application Components:

   • Research Education Program Plan (including program design, faculty, participants, evaluation, dissemination, and responsible conduct of research)
   • Budget and justification
   • Letters of support (including institutional commitment)
   • Enhancing Educational Environment Statement (required)
   • Other attachments as specified in the FOA

5. Review Criteria:

   • Significance, investigator(s), innovation, approach, environment, and plans for safe/supportive research environments

---

Additional Information

• Program Focus: Must align with the mission of the participating NIH Institute/Center; general STEM programs are not eligible.
• Limited Submission: Some ICs (e.g., NINDS) limit the number of awards per institution; consult the relevant IC before submitting multiple applications.
• Renewals: Must demonstrate positive outcomes and continued need.
• Data Management and Sharing Plan: Not required for this FOA.
• Clinical Trials: Not allowed; participants may gain experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor.

---

External Links

• Full FOA and Application Instructions (NIH)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing
• NIH How to Apply - Application Guide
• NIH R25 Activity Code Information
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

---

Contact Information

---