Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 152

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 152

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH grant program designed to help smaller, primarily undergraduate institutions build and strengthen their biomedical research capacity. The central idea is to fund modest, focused research projects at colleges and universities that typically do not receive large amounts of NIH support, while intentionally creating hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students. In addition to producing publishable science, the program is meant to improve the overall research environment at the applicant institution by supporting projects that can elevate research visibility, infrastructure use, mentorship, and the training culture for undergraduates.

To qualify, the applicant must be an institution that awards baccalaureate science degrees and meets NIHs definition of limited NIH funding. Specifically, the institution must have received no more than 6 million dollars per year in total NIH support (this includes both direct costs and F and A/indirect costs) in at least 4 of the last 7 federal fiscal years. For institutions that contain multiple schools or colleges, the 6 million dollar cap is calculated based on NIH funding received by all of the non-health professional schools and colleges as a group, rather than looking at a single department in isolation. This eligibility rule is a key screening factor and is meant to keep the program focused on institutions where NIH dollars are relatively scarce and where an award can meaningfully expand research training options for undergraduates.

A range of higher education institutions can apply, including public and state-controlled universities and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity also explicitly includes eligibility for several categories of institutions that serve historically underrepresented communities, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible either. However, foreign components are allowed under NIH policy, meaning a U.S. applicant institution may include certain well-justified international elements in the project (for example, specialized collaboration or access to unique resources), as long as the applicant organization itself remains U.S.-based and otherwise eligible.

As indicated by the activity code and title, this is an R15 AREA mechanism and it does not allow clinical trials. Projects should therefore be structured as non-clinical-trial research and should fit the small-scale R15 scope, with a clear plan for meaningful undergraduate participation. The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is 375,000 dollars, which signals the program is intended for limited, targeted budgets rather than large multi-year center-like efforts. The funding opportunity number is PAR-24-152, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant. The posted original closing date is May 7, 2027, which suggests multiple submission cycles may occur before that date under the same announcement.

Programmatically, applicants are expected to propose research that is scientifically solid and feasible within the modest budget while also describing how the work will involve undergraduates in substantive ways (not just peripheral tasks). A competitive application typically connects the research plan to student development outcomes (such as training in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication) and explains how the project will strengthen the institutions research culture, mentoring capacity, or access to research experiences. The broad list of CFDA numbers tied to the announcement reflects that many NIH institutes and centers may participate, so the scientific topic area can vary widely across NIH mission areas as long as it aligns with participating NIH components and remains within the non-clinical-trial boundary.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $375,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 152

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