NIMH Research Education Mentoring Program for HIV Researchers (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers the NIMH Research Education Mentoring Program for HIV Researchers under the R25 activity code. This initiative, reissued under PAR-24-233, seeks to enhance the education and professional development of a new generation of HIV researchers. The program is aligned with the strategic goals of the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and the NIMH Division of AIDS Research (DAR), specifically focusing on building a skilled workforce capable of conducting behavioral, social science, and neuroscience research related to HIV. It supports both research experiences and mentoring activities, thereby fostering the professional trajectories of participants towards careers in independent HIV research. The program is designed for a wide range of academic and professional levels, including undergraduate students (only if coupled with another career stage), graduate/medical students, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty. Activities supported under this program include short-term intensive research education experiences in laboratories or field settings, along with structured mentoring programs that may be national, regional, or inter-institutional. Participating mentors are expected to provide both scientific guidance and career development support, while mentees must remain engaged in the program for at least one year. The expected outcomes for participants include active research involvement, scientific publication, and securing independent research funding. The award provides up to $200,000 annually in direct costs for up to five years, with indirect costs capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. Personnel costs must be justified and cannot exceed 35% of the total direct costs in any given year. Participant costs may include compensation for program-specific activities and partial support for tuition and other educational expenses, if adequately justified. Foreign travel and full-time participant costs are generally disallowed unless strongly justified. The program also supports costs related to supplies, travel, and consultants, provided these are necessary for the educational aims of the project. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based institutions and organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit entities, and various levels of government. Applications from foreign organizations are not allowed, though U.S.-based institutions with foreign components may apply. Each applicant institution must demonstrate institutional commitment through adequate staffing, infrastructure, and educational resources. Institutions with existing NIH training grants may apply, provided the R25 program is distinct from ongoing federally funded training programs. Applications must be submitted electronically through NIH's ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Key submission dates follow NIH standard due dates for AIDS-related applications, with the next cycles closing on September 7 in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Letters of intent are requested 30 days before the application due date. The program does not allow for clinical trials, although participants may gain experience in trials led by mentors. Applications will undergo peer review based on criteria including significance, innovation, approach, and the qualifications of investigators and faculty. A comprehensive evaluation and dissemination plan is required, along with instruction in the responsible conduct of research. Program directors must demonstrate a record of NIH-funded research and mentoring experience. Questions about scientific content should be directed to Susannah Allison, PhD (allisonsu@mail.nih.gov), and peer review inquiries to Nicholas Gaiano, Ph.D. (nick.gaiano@nih.gov). The updated expiration date for this funding opportunity is May 8, 2026, with awards beginning as early as April 2025 for the next cycle.

Applicants must ensure mentoring and research components are well-integrated and address current HIV priorities. Clear institutional commitment and distinct educational value are critical.