Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Summer 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 researchers, educators, and institutions seeking to expand education and training in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). The R25 mechanism supports short-term or summer educational experiences designed to attract and develop researchers in AD/ADRD. Eligible applicants typically include academic institutions, research centers, and other organizations with the capacity to deliver intensive educational programming. Awardees must demonstrate a commitment to providing hands-on research experience in AD/ADRD to early-career researchers, graduate students, or other trainees. The program explicitly excludes applications proposing independent clinical trials (ICT). Funding supports the costs of summer educational activities, instructor salaries, trainee stipends, and related educational expenses. Geographic scope is national, and applications compete on scientific merit and educational innovation.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites R25 applications to support the development and implementation of summer research education programs for high school students, undergraduates, or science teachers from all backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. It is essential to expand and broaden the skilled Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimers Disease 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 summer research experiences in the AD/ADRD field with the goal of exposing participants to AD/ADRD research and encourage further study or participation in biomedical and behavioral research.
This NOFO does not allow participants to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form and associated PHS forms (R&R Supp Profile, etc.)
- Project Narrative (research plan describing the summer program curriculum, learning objectives, and trainee outcomes)
- Budget and Budget Justification (including personnel, participant stipends, supplies, travel, and indirect costs)
- Institutional Endorsement and Facilities documentation
- Letters of Support from collaborators and mentors
- Biographical Sketches (NIH format) for key personnel and mentors
- Training Plan and Evidence of Prior Training Success (if applicable)
- Human Subjects and Animal Use sections (if applicable)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan (if applicable)
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
-
$82,572,681
-
$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 grant?
Academic institutions, medical centers, research organizations, and other entities with capacity to deliver summer educational programming in AD/ADRD research. Both established and early-stage educators can apply.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is May 26, 2027, with applications opening September 2, 2025. This is a fixed deadline.
What educational activities are supported?
The program funds intensive summer research education experiences, including didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory training, mentorship, seminars, and related activities that build AD/ADRD research skills and career pathways.
Why is independent clinical trial (ICT) research excluded?
This R25 mechanism prioritizes education and workforce development over clinical research, so applications centered on conducting original clinical trials are not eligible.
How competitive is this funding?
R25 grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success depends on the quality of educational curriculum design, the institution's track record in training, evidence of mentorship structures, and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in AD/ADRD research pathways.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your institution's track record in research training and mentorship. Highlight past outcomes, including career trajectories of previous trainees in AD/ADRD or related fields.
- Design a clear, innovative curriculum that combines didactic lectures with hands-on research experience, ensuring trainees develop both conceptual knowledge and practical skills in AD/ADRD research methods.
- Address diversity, equity, and inclusion explicitly. Describe how you will recruit and support participants from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research, particularly in AD/ADRD fields.
- Secure strong letters of support from collaborating institutions, senior investigators, and community partners who can co-mentor trainees and strengthen the educational network.
- Budget carefully for trainee stipends, instructor time, facility use, and travel. NIH reviewers scrutinize whether budgets align with realistic educational goals and participant numbers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often focus too heavily on cutting-edge research findings and not enough on the educational pedagogy and mentorship structure—remember this is an education grant, not a research grant. A second common error is insufficient attention to diversity and inclusion; NIH prioritizes programs that build pipelines for underrepresented groups in AD/ADRD research. Finally, many applications overestimate participant capacity or underestimate the staff effort required to run an effective summer program, leading to reviewers questioning feasibility.
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