Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25 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 and clinicians seeking funding to develop or enhance research education programs in substance use disorders and addiction. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, medical schools, teaching hospitals, and other academic organizations with 501(c)(3) status or equivalent. The program supports educational initiatives that build capacity among early-career clinical researchers and practicing clinicians interested in addiction science and treatment research. Eligible activities include curriculum development, mentorship programs, didactic courses, and workshops—but clinical trials are explicitly not supported under this mechanism. The program operates nationwide with no geographic restrictions, though applications should demonstrate institutional commitment and access to relevant clinical populations or research facilities.
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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 NIDA 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. This NOFO is intended to support research education activities that enhance the knowledge of substance use and substance use disorder research. The program is intended for those in clinically focused careers and/or those training for careers as clinicians/health service providers, clinical researchers, or optimally a combination of the two. This mechanism may not be used to support non-research-related clinical training.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- PHS 398 Research Plan (including specific aims, significance, innovation, approach, and environment sections)
- Institutional support letters from department leadership and institutional administration
- Detailed curriculum or educational program outline with learning objectives and assessment methods
- Biographical sketches of key faculty mentors and program leaders
- Budget and budget justification for the 3–5 year project period
- Letters of commitment from participating clinical sites or research partners (if applicable)
- Institutional research office or grants office certification form
- NIH Biographical Sketch form (Form Page 5) for program director and senior staff
- Diversity plan (if applicable, for programs targeting underrepresented groups)
- Literature review or environmental scan demonstrating the educational need
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$204,359,786
-
$128,078,833
-
$126,585,435
-
$99,478,296
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,351,755
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,578,651
-
$50,952,037
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 4 awards $141.1M
- MD 2 awards $128.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this R25 grant?
Academic institutions, medical schools, research hospitals, and 501(c)(3) organizations with established research or clinical training infrastructure can apply. Individual researchers cannot apply directly; the application must be submitted through an eligible institution.
Can I use these funds to conduct clinical trials?
No. This R25 mechanism explicitly excludes clinical trial activities. The focus is on education, training, and capacity-building for researchers and clinicians interested in addiction science.
What types of educational activities are supported?
Typical activities include curriculum development, mentorship programs, seminars, workshops, short courses, and didactic training programs designed to strengthen research skills and knowledge in substance use disorders and addiction.
How competitive is this grant?
R25 grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success typically requires a clear educational innovation, strong institutional support, and demonstrated need for the proposed training. Applications from programs with established track records in addiction research education tend to perform better.
What is the typical funding range?
R25 awards typically range from $150,000 to $250,000 in annual direct costs, with project periods generally 3-5 years. Actual amounts vary based on the scope of the proposed educational program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate the gap or need in current addiction research education and explain how your program uniquely addresses it. Be specific about target learners and their career stage.
- Secure strong institutional commitment in writing, including letters from department heads and leadership pledging support, space, and resources for the program's duration.
- Develop a detailed curriculum or educational content that is feasible, innovative, and aligned with current trends in substance use disorder research and treatment.
- Include clear learning objectives, assessment methods, and evaluation plans that measure participant outcomes, knowledge gain, and career impact over time.
- Build a strong mentorship and faculty team with recognized expertise in addiction research and a track record of supporting early-career researchers and clinicians.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack clear educational innovation or simply propose to offer existing courses without addressing a demonstrated gap in the current training landscape. Weak institutional support—evidenced by vague commitments or lack of dedicated resources—is frequently cited as a reason for rejection. Additionally, proposals that blur the line between education/training and clinical trial activities, or those with insufficient evaluation plans and unclear metrics for success, struggle to compete.
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