Research Education Opportunities (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions and researchers seeking to develop and improve research education and training in neuroscience. The R25 mechanism supports educational activities designed to enhance the research workforce, particularly through activities that build capacity and provide mentorship in neurological sciences. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, medical schools, and other organizations with research capability; individuals cannot apply directly, as funding flows through institutions. Activities supported include short courses, workshops, seminars, curriculum development, and training programs that advance neuroscience education. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed as primary activities. The program is open nationally to U.S. institutions with research infrastructure.
This grant is for institutions and researchers seeking to develop and improve research education and training in neuroscience. The R25 mechanism supports educational activities designed to enhance the research workforce, particularly through activities that build capacity and provide mentorship in neurological sciences. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, medical schools, and other organizations with research capability; individuals cannot apply directly, as funding flows through institutions. Activities supported include short courses, workshops, seminars, curriculum development, and training programs that advance neuroscience education. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed as primary activities. The program is open nationally to U.S. institutions with research infrastructure.
Program description
The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of this NINDS R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nations biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for institutions and researchers seeking to develop and improve research education and training in neuroscience. The R25 mechanism supports educational activities designed to enhance the research workforce, particularly through activities that build capacity and provide mentorship in neurological sciences. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, medical schools, and other organizations with research capability; individuals cannot apply directly, as funding flows through institutions. Activities supported include short courses, workshops, seminars, curriculum development, and training programs that advance neuroscience education. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed as primary activities. The program is open nationally to U.S. institutions with research infrastructure.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424 R&R)
- Project narrative and specific aims (typically 12 pages maximum)
- Detailed budget and justification for the proposed period
- Curriculum vitae or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Letters of institutional support and commitment
- Letters of support from mentors/faculty involved in the program
- Organizational capacity documentation (institutional resources, prior training programs)
- Evaluation and assessment plan with measurable outcomes
- Timeline and sustainability plan beyond the grant period
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$82,511,281
-
$67,362,785
-
$62,646,087
-
$56,144,651
-
$45,268,737
-
$40,959,789
-
$35,655,349
-
$35,655,116
-
$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
Top States by Funding
- MA 6 awards $186.5M
- CA 4 awards $129.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MN 2 awards $99.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, medical schools, and organizations with established research capability. Individual researchers must apply through their institutional grants office. Foreign institutions may be eligible if they meet NIH requirements, but this varies by specific program requirements.
What types of activities does this grant support?
Educational and training activities including workshops, short courses, seminars, curriculum development, mentorship programs, and initiatives to build the neuroscience research workforce. Clinical trials are explicitly not permitted as primary activities.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 14, 2026, with applications opening May 13, 2024. Check the NIH grants.gov page for any rolling deadline information or submission windows.
How much funding is typically available?
R25 grants typically range from $100,000–$300,000 per year, though this depends on the scope and nature of your proposed educational activities. Budget requests must be reasonable and justified.
How competitive is this grant?
R25 education grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success depends on a strong educational plan, demonstrated institutional commitment, qualified personnel, and clear evidence of workforce development impact.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your application around a clear, compelling educational need in neuroscience research. Show data or literature demonstrating a gap in research training or diversity in the field that your program addresses.
- Emphasize institutional commitment by securing letters of support from department leadership, senior researchers who will mentor trainees, and institutional resources (space, equipment, administrative support).
- Develop a realistic, detailed curriculum or program plan with specific learning outcomes, assessment methods, and evaluation metrics. Show how you'll measure success and make improvements.
- Include a strong team with educational expertise. Identify a director with relevant experience and involve faculty mentors with strong research credentials and a demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring.
- Clearly articulate the timeline and sustainability plan. Explain how the program will continue beyond the grant period and identify long-term funding sources or institutional commitment to maintain the training program.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack a clear, well-documented educational need or fail to differentiate their program from existing training opportunities. Another common pitfall is underestimating the importance of institutional buy-in and mentoring infrastructure; reviewers want to see evidence that senior researchers and institution leadership genuinely support the program. Finally, weak evaluation and assessment plans—vague metrics or no clear method to measure trainee outcomes—significantly reduce competitiveness.
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