Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 134
The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH grant opportunity designed to strengthen biomedical and behavioral research at colleges and universities that have historically received relatively low levels of NIH funding. The program is intentionally sized for smaller-scale projects, with the dual goal of producing meaningful research outcomes while also building research capacity at the applicant institution. A central emphasis is giving undergraduate students hands-on, mentored research experiences that deepen scientific training, improve preparation for graduate or professional pathways, and help institutions expand or improve their research culture, infrastructure, and mentorship environment.
This opportunity is aimed at U.S. higher-education institutions that award baccalaureate degrees in science and meet an NIH-funding threshold intended to target institutions with limited NIH support. To qualify, an institution must have received no more than $6 million per year in total NIH support (counting both direct costs and F and A/indirect costs) in at least 4 of the last 7 federal fiscal years. For universities made up of multiple schools or colleges, the $6 million cap is calculated using the combined NIH funding received by all non-health professional schools and colleges across the institution as a whole, rather than looking at a single department in isolation. The NOFO points applicants to Part II, Section 3.1 (Eligible Organizations) for the full details and any nuances in how eligibility is applied.
A range of institution types may apply, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as well as other qualifying organizations described in the announcement. The NOFO also highlights that several categories of minority-serving institutions are included among eligible applicants, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). While these categories are specifically named, applicants still need to confirm they meet all program requirements, including the degree-granting and NIH-funding criteria. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are explicitly not eligible to apply.
In practical terms, applicants should view this R15 as support for a focused research project that can be realistically completed with a modest budget while integrating substantial undergraduate participation. The “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” designation means the project cannot propose a clinical trial, so the work should be framed as non-clinical-trial research consistent with NIH definitions. The award has a stated ceiling of $375,000, and the funding opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-134. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant, spans multiple NIH-related CFDA numbers (reflecting that many NIH institutes and centers may participate), and lists an original closing date of 2028-01-07, indicating an extended window in which multiple receipt dates may occur under the overarching announcement.Apply for PAR 25 134
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 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): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.310, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $375,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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FAQs: NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions, an R15 mechanism with a "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" designation. It is designed to strengthen biomedical and behavioral research at colleges and universities that have historically received relatively low levels of NIH funding.
What are the main goals of the AREA (R15) program for undergraduate-focused institutions?
The program has two central goals: (1) support meaningful, smaller-scale research projects that can be completed with a modest budget, and (2) build research capacity at the applicant institution. A major emphasis is providing undergraduate students with hands-on, mentored research experiences that improve scientific training and preparation for graduate or professional pathways, while also helping institutions strengthen research culture, infrastructure, and mentorship environments.
Who is this opportunity intended to benefit?
It is intended to benefit U.S. higher-education institutions that award baccalaureate degrees in science and meet an NIH-funding threshold indicating limited NIH support. It also strongly emphasizes direct benefits to undergraduate students through substantive participation in mentored research.
What types of institutions are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with other qualifying organizations described in the announcement. The NOFO also notes that several categories of minority-serving institutions are included among eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions (MSIs) eligible?
Yes, the NOFO specifically highlights that multiple MSI categories are included among eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Applicants still must meet all program requirements, including the baccalaureate degree and NIH-funding criteria.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are explicitly not eligible to apply.
What is the NIH funding threshold an institution must meet to be eligible?
To qualify, an institution must have received no more than $6 million per year in total NIH support (including both direct costs and F&A/indirect costs) in at least 4 of the last 7 federal fiscal years.
Does the $6 million cap include indirect costs (F&A)?
Yes. The cap is based on total NIH support and counts both direct costs and F&A/indirect costs.
How is eligibility calculated for universities with multiple schools or colleges?
For institutions made up of multiple schools or colleges, the $6 million cap is calculated using the combined NIH funding received by all non-health professional schools and colleges across the institution as a whole, rather than evaluating a single department in isolation.
Where can applicants find the full eligibility details and nuances?
The NOFO points applicants to Part II, Section 3.1 (Eligible Organizations) for the full details and any nuances in how eligibility is applied.
What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for this R15?
It means the project cannot propose a clinical trial. The work should be framed as non-clinical-trial research consistent with NIH definitions.
What kind of project is this R15 intended to support?
Applicants should view this R15 as support for a focused research project that can realistically be completed with a modest budget, while integrating substantial undergraduate participation and mentorship.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The award has a stated ceiling of $375,000.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (NOFO number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-25-134.
Which federal agency issues this opportunity?
This opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What kind of federal funding instrument is this?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant.
Is this opportunity tied to one specific CFDA number?
No. It spans multiple NIH-related CFDA numbers, reflecting that many NIH institutes and centers may participate.
What is the closing date listed for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity lists an original closing date of 2028-01-07, indicating an extended window in which multiple receipt dates may occur under the overarching announcement.
How does this award support undergraduate student involvement?
A central emphasis of the program is to give undergraduate students hands-on, mentored research experiences that deepen scientific training and improve preparation for graduate or professional pathways.
How does this award help institutions build research capacity?
The program is intended to help institutions expand or improve their research culture, infrastructure, and mentorship environment while producing meaningful research outcomes from a smaller-scale project.
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| NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 25 305 Funding Number: PA 25 305 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 25 301 Funding Number: PA 25 301 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PA 25 303 Funding Number: PA 25 303 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 379 Funding Number: PAR 25 379 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 414 Funding Number: PAR 25 414 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 25 425 Funding Number: PA 25 425 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) Apply for PA 25 423 Funding Number: PA 25 423 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 25 426 Funding Number: PA 25 426 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Apply for PA 25 422 Funding Number: PA 25 422 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 415 Funding Number: PAR 25 415 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 322 Funding Number: PAR 25 322 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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