Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Curriculum or Methods Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Curriculum or Methods Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is administered by the National Institutes of Health through the National Cancer Institute. This program is part of NIH’s broader Research Education Program, which is designed to support educational activities that enhance and complement existing training efforts in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. The specific focus of this opportunity is on advancing cancer-related education through the development of innovative curricula or teaching methods that can strengthen the national research workforce. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the creation of new, high-impact educational content and instructional approaches in cancer research. Funded projects are expected to address key areas such as cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, or patient care. The program encourages the development of novel educational tools, including computer-based platforms and innovative teaching methodologies, with an emphasis on adaptability and broad dissemination across institutions. The goal is not to deliver courses directly to participants, but rather to design and prepare educational materials that can later be implemented widely. Funding under this program is structured as a grant mechanism with a maximum direct cost of 150000 dollars per year for up to two years. Allowable costs include personnel, consultant services, equipment, supplies, and travel necessary to develop the curriculum or methods. Indirect costs are reimbursed at a fixed rate of 8 percent of modified total direct costs. The program does not allow participant support costs, and it explicitly excludes funding for the implementation or delivery of the developed curriculum to learners. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and various levels of government within the United States. Eligible applicants must demonstrate sufficient institutional support, including staffing, facilities, and educational resources. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, although foreign components within U.S. organizations may be included. Program leadership must be provided by experienced investigators, typically at the associate professor level or higher, with demonstrated expertise in cancer research or education. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using NIH-approved submission systems such as ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions. Required components include a detailed research education program plan, descriptions of program leadership and faculty, institutional commitment, evaluation and dissemination plans, and supporting documentation such as letters of support. Applications must adhere strictly to NIH application guidelines, and noncompliant submissions may be rejected without review. Applications are evaluated through the NIH peer review process based on criteria including significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and institutional environment. Additional considerations include the quality of the evaluation and dissemination plans and the potential for the developed curriculum or methods to advance cancer research education nationally. Funding decisions are made based on scientific merit, availability of funds, and alignment with program priorities. The application process follows standard NIH submission cycles with multiple deadlines per year. However, this specific funding opportunity was officially expired on June 18, 2026. While NIH may allow limited late submissions under certain conditions, applicants are generally expected to monitor for reissued or related opportunities. The typical project timeline includes peer review within several months of submission, followed by advisory council review and potential award start dates approximately six to nine months after submission.

Emphasize innovation in curriculum design, clearly define evaluation metrics, and demonstrate national adaptability and dissemination potential