Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Courses for Skills Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Cancer Research Education Grants Program – Courses for Skills Development (R25) is administered by the National Cancer Institute within the National Institutes of Health, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIH serves as the federal government’s primary biomedical research agency, and through its R25 mechanism, it supports research education initiatives designed to complement and enhance the training of a skilled workforce in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. This specific funding opportunity focuses on advancing cancer-related education programs that translate research findings into practical knowledge and skills for professionals engaged in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The purpose of this grant is to fund innovative, evidence-based educational programs that take the form of courses for skills development. These programs must address cancer-related topics and demonstrate relevance to the mission of the National Cancer Institute. The initiative emphasizes the creation of state-of-the-art learning experiences derived from current scientific research. Eligible programs may focus on a wide range of areas, including cancer etiology, clinical treatment approaches, rehabilitation, survivorship, and support for patients and their families. The overarching goal is to strengthen the national workforce by equipping participants with advanced knowledge and competencies that can be applied in research, clinical practice, or health education. Funding under this program is provided through a grant mechanism with a maximum direct cost budget of $300,000 per year and a project period of up to five years. Funds may be used for personnel, participant support, and program-related expenses, subject to strict federal guidelines. Participant costs are limited to specific categories such as travel, materials, and subsistence, with caps on daily and per-participant expenditures. Certain expenses, including salaries for participants, stipends, and non-essential items, are explicitly disallowed. Indirect costs are reimbursed at a fixed rate of eight percent of modified total direct costs. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity. Eligibility for this grant is broad and includes a wide array of U.S.-based organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and various levels of government, including tribal governments and special districts. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, although limited foreign participation may be permitted in specific cases. Applicants must demonstrate institutional commitment, including adequate facilities, staff, and resources to support the proposed program. The program director or principal investigator must be an established researcher or educator with the capability to lead and administer the program effectively. The application process requires submission through federal systems such as Grants.gov and eRA Commons, with strict adherence to NIH application guidelines. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal that includes a detailed research education program plan, evaluation strategy, participant recruitment plan, and documentation of institutional support. Applications are reviewed through a competitive peer review process based on criteria such as significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and institutional environment. Additional considerations include the quality of the evaluation plan and the program’s potential impact on workforce development in cancer research and care. The funding opportunity operates on a recurring schedule with multiple standard NIH submission deadlines each year, typically occurring in January, May, and September. However, this specific announcement has an early expiration date of June 18, 2026, after which applications are no longer accepted under this notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for corrections. Review cycles follow submission, with scientific review, advisory council review, and award decisions occurring over several months, leading to project start dates approximately six to eight months after submission. Program contacts are available through NIH support channels, including the eRA Service Desk and designated scientific and grants management officials.

Emphasize innovation in cancer education; demonstrate clear workforce impact; provide strong evaluation metrics; ensure program distinct from existing federally funded training programs