This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites R25 applications to support the development and implementation of research education programs for recent baccalaureates from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Donor Name: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/24/2023
Size of the Grant: $400,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
It is essential to expand and diversify the skilled Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) research workforce and provide exposure to AD/ADRD research to individuals early in their careers. The proposed research education programs will support intensive research experiences in the AD/ADRD field with the goal of preparing recent baccalaureates to transition into strong, research-focused advanced degree programs or competitive private sector research careers in AD-related disciplines.
The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research educational activities that complement other formal training programs in the mission areas of the NIH Institutes and Centers.
The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational 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 research.
Goal
A major goal of the National Plan to address Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease-related Dementias (ADRD) is to reduce the burden of AD/ADRD by accelerating research toward treatments, improving care and support for people facing these conditions now, and reducing the risk of AD/ADRD by promoting brain health. Despite this, there is a shortage of scientists conducting the wide variety of necessary innovative and interdisciplinary research projects, including basic biomedical, clinical, translational, prevention, and treatment research on AD/ADRD. This Funding Opportunity Annoucnment (FOA) aims to address goal G-4 of the National Institute on Aging’s Strategic Directions for Research (2020-2025): “”Attract and train more researchers from diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds.”” This will include supporting the recruitment of a variety of early-stage investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to the NIH AD/ADRD portfolio. This FOA also aims to address the lack of early exposure to high-quality, hands-on research education experiences in the AD/ADRD field, another major barrier to increasing the AD/ADRD capable workforce.
Focus on Postbaccalaureates: Postbaccalaureate programs consist of studies pursued after the completion of one’s bachelor’s degree, but before entering an advanced degree program, such as a master’s, doctoral, or clinical degree program. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports an increased number of prospective medical students taking time off between the completion of their undergraduate education and enrollment in medical school. While students may take these gap years for a variety of reasons and be involved in a range of activities, almost half of such students report being involved in research during this time. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted students’ decisions to take gap years in a way that has been leading to a rise in the number of students taking this path. Literature shows that postbaccalaureate programs enable recent graduates to pursue advanced degrees and other research-related science career opportunities.
For the purpose of this announcement, institutions should explain how this program will be developed in a way that will foster diversity and inclusion at their organization. As indicated below, applicants must include a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity which describes the program’s proposed recruitment efforts and how the proposed plan reflects past experiences in recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences (see NOT-OD-20-031 for additional information on NIH’s Notice of Interest in Diversity). All programs are expected to be inclusive, supportive, and safe, and to provide opportunities for participants to interact with investigators who could contribute to their growth. Applications from a variety of institutions, including those from minority serving institutions (MSIs), are encouraged.
Applicants should consider how the developed programs can optimize participation and potentially include additional participants from outside the applicant institution, especially those in local and/or affiliated institutions. Applicants must demonstrate how this program will add significant value over existing programs at the applicant institution.
Funding Information
- Direct costs up to $400,000 per year may be requested.
- Award Project Period: The scope of the proposed project period should determine the project period. The maximum period is five years.
Eligible Applicants
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- State governments
- Special district governments
- City or township governments
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- County governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Small businesses
- For profit organizations other than Small businesses
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
