Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for educational institutions and research organizations seeking to support postbaccalaureate research training in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Eligible applicants include NIH-recognized research institutions, universities, and organizations with appropriate research infrastructure. The program aims to build research capacity by training individuals with bachelor's degrees who are considering careers in AD/ADRD research. Participants should have a bachelor's degree and demonstrate interest in pursuing research in aging and dementia. The program supports curriculum development, mentorship, and structured research experience. Applicants must propose educational programming that will provide participants with foundational research skills and exposure to AD/ADRD science. This mechanism explicitly excludes applications proposing independent clinical trials.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) invites R25 applications to support the development and implementation of research education programs for recent baccalaureates from all backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. It is essential to expand and broaden the skilled Alzheimers Disease (AD) and Alzheimers 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH R&R Application (Form SF-424 with Project Narrative)
- Detailed project narrative describing the educational program, curriculum, mentorship model, and participant outcomes
- Budget and budget justification (typically up to 5 years)
- Biographical sketches for program directors and key mentors
- Letters of institutional commitment and support
- Description of recruitment and retention strategies
- Evidence of institutional research capacity and infrastructure
- Letters of mentor commitment and availability
- Timeline and milestones for program implementation
- Plan for program evaluation and metrics of success
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$463,372,200
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$172,327,224
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$115,145,694
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$99,649,073
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$93,275,174
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$82,572,681
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$81,344,612
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$78,657,309
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$75,825,492
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$75,398,895
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $633.7M
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- MO 8 awards $453.5M
- IN 4 awards $303.9M
- PA 6 awards $298.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this R25 grant?
Domestic nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, research centers, and other NIH-eligible entities with demonstrated research capacity can apply. Foreign institutions are typically not eligible.
What is the target population for the training program?
Postbaccalaureate individuals (those with bachelor's degrees) who show promise for AD/ADRD research careers. This may include recent graduates, career changers, or underrepresented groups in biomedical research.
What activities and programs does this funding support?
Structured postbaccalaureate research education programs including mentored research experience, curriculum development, seminars, journal clubs, and career preparation activities focused on AD/ADRD science.
Can I propose to conduct my own independent clinical trials under this award?
No. This specific R25 mechanism explicitly prohibits applications proposing independent clinical trials. The focus is on educational programming and research training, not independent trial conduct.
What is the typical funding range and project period?
R25 grants typically support 3-5 year projects with annual funding levels varying by mechanism, though exact amounts are set in each RFP. Check the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for specific budget caps and allowed costs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize institutional commitment: Include letters of support from senior leadership, evidence of institutional infrastructure, and commitment to sustain the program beyond the grant period.
- Highlight participant recruitment and retention strategy: Describe how you will identify, recruit, and support postbaccalaureate trainees, especially from underrepresented populations in biomedical sciences.
- Design a rigorous curriculum: Develop a structured, clearly articulated education plan with defined learning objectives, mentorship models, and measurable outcomes that link to AD/ADRD research competencies.
- Demonstrate mentor expertise: Feature mentors with strong AD/ADRD research credentials and teaching experience. Include their commitment letters and track records of training early-career researchers.
- Plan for sustainability and dissemination: Show how your program will persist after federal funding ends and describe plans to share outcomes, curriculum materials, and lessons learned with the broader research community.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they underestimate the importance of institutional infrastructure and mentor qualifications—NIA expects robust research environments and faculty with genuine AD/ADRD expertise. Additionally, applicants often propose overly ambitious numbers of trainees without realistic recruitment and retention plans; focus on quality training outcomes rather than large cohort sizes. Finally, some applications blur the line between a research project and an educational program; remember this is educational funding, not an R01, so the emphasis must be on training, curriculum, and participant development rather than novel scientific discovery by the applicant.
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