Research Educational Program – Mentoring Activities & Networks (Parent R25/UE5 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for educational and mentoring programs that build research capacity in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies with research capabilities. International organizations may apply through U.S. partners. Programs must focus on mentoring networks, training activities, or research workforce development.
Geographic scope is nationwide; all U.S. states and territories can apply. Activities must advance research education through structured mentoring, networking events, or training programs. Activities can target early-career researchers, underrepresented populations in science, or emerging research areas.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Jun 8, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 1, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2027 Project start
- May 5, 2029 Application deadline in 1024 days
Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Education Program supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this research education program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs; help recruit individuals with backgrounds in specific specialties or disciplines to research careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical sciences; and foster a deeper understanding of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research and its implications. To accomplish this far-reaching goal, this opportunity will primarily support Mentoring Activities, including networks and programs, designed to enhance the quality of mentorship. Programs focused on mentoring activities may incorporate elements such as research, courses, outreach, curriculum and methods to prepare participants for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation. Grant authorities that allow NIH to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Grants)
- Project Narrative (with aims, methods, evaluation plan)
- Budget Justification
- Biosketch(es) for key personnel (NIH Format Page)
- Letters of support from institution and mentors
- Evaluation plan with success metrics
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Biomedical Research Workforce (DBRW)
- 📧 NIHTrain@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.172 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$39,531,110
-
$34,574,245
-
$32,186,204
-
$30,195,606
-
$26,495,937
-
$26,020,371
-
$24,964,130
-
$24,413,854
-
$23,757,911
-
$22,977,417
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $317.2M
- MA 16 awards $302.5M
- WA 9 awards $140.1M
- NY 6 awards $93.6M
- NC 5 awards $93.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.172). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $452,727,668 | |
| 2025 | $423,878,429 | |
| 2026 est. | $9,989,158 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Academic institutions, research hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies with documented research capacity. Some programs may target specific career stages or populations.
What types of activities does this grant support?
Mentoring networks, structured mentoring programs, training workshops, research conferences, and career development activities. Activities should build research capacity or professional networks.
When is the application deadline?
Opening January 15, 2026. NIH typically has rolling or multiple deadline dates each year; check NIH.gov for specific application deadlines.
How much funding is typical for R25 awards?
Awards generally range from $100,000 to $300,000+ annually depending on scope. Multi-year funding (3-5 years) is common for research education programs.
What makes a competitive application?
Clear learning objectives, experienced mentors/facilitators, measurable outcomes, and demonstrated need for the program. Strong institutional support and sustainability plans strengthen applications.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly define learning outcomes and how mentoring/networking activities will advance participants' research careers.
- Highlight the qualifications of mentors, program directors, and staff involved in delivery.
- Include a detailed evaluation plan with metrics to track participant progress and program impact.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment through letters of support and adequate infrastructure.
- Address how the program serves underrepresented or high-priority research workforce populations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or vague learning objectives that don't specify career advancement outcomes. Insufficient detail on mentor qualifications or mentoring structure. Missing evaluation plan or unclear metrics for measuring program success.
Similar grants
- OPEN NIH Research Education Program – Courses, Curriculum & Methods (Parent R25 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIH Research Education Program – Research Experiences (Parent R25 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Research Experiences and/or Mentoring Networks through Research Education to Enhance Clinician-Scientists’ Participation in NIDCDs Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED NINR Mentoring Resources and Activities — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED NINDS Research Education Opportunities (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health