NIH Research Educational Program - Mentoring Activities Networks (Parent R25/UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers the Research Education Program focused on Mentoring Activities and Networks under the R25 and UE5 activity codes. This funding opportunity is designed to support educational initiatives that enhance the development of a biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce. NIH’s broader mission is to advance fundamental knowledge about living systems and apply that knowledge to improve health outcomes, extend life, and reduce illness and disability. Through this program, NIH aims to strengthen mentoring capacity and improve research career pathways across multiple disciplines aligned with its institutes and centers. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to support structured mentoring activities that complement existing training programs. These activities are intended to build professional development skills, improve mentorship quality, and foster career progression toward independent research roles. Programs may include mentor training, career guidance, grantsmanship development, leadership training, and strategies to support career transitions. While the focus is on mentoring, applicants may incorporate secondary components such as research experiences or curriculum development, provided mentoring remains the central element. Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements, with budgets expected to reflect actual project needs and typically not exceeding $500,000 in direct costs annually. The maximum project period is five years. Allowable costs include personnel, participant support, travel, and program-related expenses, with indirect costs reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct costs. Cost sharing is not required. Funds may not be used to substitute for full-time training programs or to duplicate existing federally funded training efforts. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based organizations, such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and government entities at various levels. Foreign organizations and components are not eligible. Programs may serve participants across multiple career stages, including students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career investigators. Applicants are encouraged to recruit participants from diverse backgrounds and to design programs that address workforce needs in NIH mission areas. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using systems such as ASSIST or institutional submission platforms, with tracking through eRA Commons. Applicants must complete required registrations, including SAM and eRA Commons, prior to submission. The application must include a detailed research education program plan, evaluation strategy, dissemination plan, and institutional commitment. Peer review evaluates proposals based on significance, investigator capability, innovation, approach, and environment, along with additional compliance and programmatic considerations. The opportunity follows standard NIH recurring submission cycles with multiple deadlines each year, including September 25, January 25, and May 25. For the first cycle, applications open on August 25, 2026, with subsequent recurring deadlines through May 2029. Awards are typically reviewed several months after submission, with earliest start dates approximately 10 months after the application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult NIH program staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with institute priorities and program requirement.

Align program closely with NIH institute priorities; demonstrate strong mentoring framework and measurable outcomes; ensure clear distinction from existing federally funded training programs