The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) aimed at supporting small-scale biomedical research projects at undergraduate-focused institutions that have not received substantial NIH funding. This grant program is designed to enhance the research environment and provide undergraduate students with significant research experiences, specifically targeting institutions that have received no more than $6 million in NIH support over the past seven years. The initiative encourages investigator-initiated, low-risk clinical trials that may not require FDA oversight, with funding requests capped at $375,000 for a maximum duration of three years. Applications will be accepted starting January 25, 2025, with a closing date of January 8, 2028. For further inquiries, interested parties can contact NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov.

PAR-25-148-Full-Announcement.html

PAR-25-148.html

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) aimed at supporting small-scale biomedical research projects at undergraduate-focused institutions lacking substantial NIH funding. The initiative emphasizes enhancing the research environment and providing undergraduates with significant research experiences. Eligible institutions must have awarded fewer than $6 million in NIH support over the last seven years and prioritize undergraduate enrollment. The program focuses on investigator-initiated, low-risk clinical trials that may not require FDA oversight. Applications are accepted for new proposals, renewals, and resubmissions, with a funding request limit of up to $375,000 for a maximum of three years. The review process evaluates scientific merit, the research environment, and the involvement of undergraduate students, aiming to foster diversity and inclusion in research. Key dates for application submission begin January 25, 2025, with an expiration date of January 8, 2028. Overall, this NOFO serves to stimulate research engagement at less-funded institutions, ultimately contributing to the development of future scientists.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-148.html

The purpose of this Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is to support small scale research grants at institutions that do not receive substantial funding from the NIH, with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences primarily for undergraduate students and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million dollars per year of NIH support (in both direct and F and A/indirect costs) in 4 of the last 7 fiscal years. For institutions composed of multiple schools and colleges, the $6 million funding limit is based on the amount of NIH funding received by all the non-health professional schools and colleges within the institution as a whole. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports investigator-initiated mechanistic and/or minimal risk clinical trials addressing the mission and research interests of the participating NIH institutes. For the purpose of this NOFO, minimal risk clinical trials are defined as those that do not require FDA oversight, do not intend to formally establish efficacy, and have low risks to potentially cause physical or psychological harm.

See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.

NIH Grants Information&lt;br/&gt;grantsinfo@nih.gov

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