Limited Competition: NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Research Education Grants Programs (R25 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities to fund educational programs that build clinical and translational science workforce capacity. Eligible applicants include academic medical centers, research universities, and healthcare organizations with CTSA affiliations. The program supports educational curriculum development, training programs, and learning initiatives that prepare researchers for clinical translation work. Geographic scope is nationwide; applicants must meet NIH eligibility requirements and institutional affiliation criteria.
This is a limited competition grant, meaning only designated CTSA Program participants may apply. Institutions must have active CTSA Program involvement or partnership. The grant explicitly excludes clinical trial research activities. Support focuses on research education, capacity building, and workforce development in clinical translational science.
Applicants should demonstrate institutional commitment to clinical and translational science education. Strong institutional infrastructure and qualified leadership are expected. The program prioritizes programs serving diverse trainee populations and addressing workforce gaps in clinical research.
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Program description
The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this 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
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) and SF-LLL forms
- Project Narrative (research plan and educational design)
- Curriculum Vitae (key personnel)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Support Letter
- Letters of Commitment (partner institutions if applicable)
- Program Evaluation Plan
- Diversity Plan
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.350 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$139,753,636
-
$118,592,298
-
$118,098,707
-
$112,138,469
-
$102,903,347
-
$102,422,256
-
$100,095,982
-
$99,978,264
-
$98,955,036
-
$97,784,066
Top States by Funding
- CA 13 awards $652.0M
- NY 11 awards $506.1M
- MA 6 awards $321.4M
- NC 5 awards $313.7M
- OH 5 awards $162.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.350). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $595,597,945 | |
| 2025 | $626,227,752 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only institutions with active Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program affiliation. This is a limited competition restricted to designated participants.
What types of activities are supported?
Research education programs, curriculum development, workforce training, and capacity building. Clinical trial activities are explicitly not allowed.
What is the typical funding range and project length?
R25 grants typically fund 2-5 year projects. Funding amounts vary by program scope; check the funding opportunity announcement for specifics.
How competitive is this grant?
Highly competitive. Limited competition format means fewer eligible applicants, but applications face rigorous peer review based on educational innovation and workforce impact.
When is the deadline?
Applications open December 9, 2024, with a fixed deadline of May 28, 2027. Check NIH eRA Commons for submission details and any updated timelines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your educational program with CTSA Program priorities and national clinical research workforce needs. Show clear evidence of workforce gaps your program addresses.
- Document institutional support and commitment. Include letters from leadership and evidence of protected time for education staff and faculty.
- Design measurable learning outcomes and evaluation metrics. Demonstrate how you'll track trainee progress and program impact over time.
- Emphasize diversity and inclusion in participant recruitment. Highlight strategies to engage underrepresented groups in clinical translational science.
- Leverage existing resources and partnerships. Show how your program builds on current strengths and collaborates with other CTSA-funded institutions.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing clinical trial research components; R25 grants explicitly exclude clinical trial activities. Focus narrowly on education and capacity building instead.
Vague learning outcomes and evaluation plans; reviewers want specific, measurable metrics tied to trainee competencies and career outcomes.
Insufficient institutional commitment; fail to demonstrate protected funding, dedicated staff, or leadership support for the educational program's sustainability.
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