NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 317

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 317

The NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education funding opportunity (PAR-20-317) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Education Program (R25) grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Its core purpose is to strengthen and expand undergraduate research education activities that motivate and prepare students to pursue advanced study and careers in aging-related biomedical and behavioral research. A central emphasis of the program is broadening participation in the research workforce by supporting educational pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, with the long-term goal of increasing diversity within aging research.

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health funding area (CFDA 93.866) and uses the R25 research education mechanism, specifically indicating that independent clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. In practice, that means applicants should design education and training experiences around aging research that do not propose leading an independent clinical trial as the primary project activity. The program is meant to support structured research education components (for example, mentored research exposure, skills development, curriculum enhancements, professional development, and other educational supports) that connect undergraduates to aging science and help them progress toward research careers.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes various levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments). It also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types that align with the diversity mission, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity clearly restricts foreign involvement on the applicant side. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization and the supported activities are expected to be fully domestic, without foreign subcomponents or foreign program elements.

Key administrative details included in the source information are the original closing date of May 25, 2023, and an award ceiling listed as $375,000. The listing does not specify the expected number of awards in the provided data. The opportunity was created in NIH systems on January 26, 2021. Overall, this program is best understood as an NIA-backed undergraduate-focused research education grant designed to build inclusive pipelines into aging research by funding structured educational activities that increase exposure to, preparation for, and progression within aging-related research careers, while staying within NIH R25 rules and avoiding independent clinical trial leadership as a project component.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (R25 - Independent 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): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $375,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 20 317

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