The Cancer Research Education Grants Program – Courses for Skills Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is designed to support educational initiatives that enhance the training of a workforce capable of addressing cancer-related research needs. Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the funding opportunity aims to support courses that provide innovative, evidence-based education in cancer research. The program specifically seeks to train individuals in the latest skills and knowledge relevant to cancer research, including the cause, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and ongoing care for cancer patients and their families. Courses should be state-of-the-art, addressing biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research findings, and be completed within a 12-month period.

The program encourages applications for courses aimed at a regional or national audience that extends beyond the applicant institution. Participants may include biomedical researchers, healthcare providers, graduate and health professional students, and those involved in disseminating health information. However, programs intended for undergraduate students or individuals not involved in healthcare or health information dissemination are not eligible. The course should be delivered annually throughout the grant period, using in-person, online, or hybrid formats. Developing and implementing the course must be distinct from any existing federally funded training programs at the applicant institution, and adaptations of previously funded NCI R25 courses focusing on different target populations will not be considered responsive.

Funding for the program allows a maximum annual budget of $300,000 in direct costs for up to five years. Eligible expenses include salary support for personnel (up to $150,000 per year for personnel and consultant costs combined), participant costs such as travel, materials, and subsistence allowances, and program-related costs like equipment, supplies, and key personnel travel. Unallowable expenses include participant stipends, health insurance, and gifts. Institutions may apply for funding even if they have existing NIH training programs, provided that the R25 course offers distinct educational experiences.

Eligible institutions include higher education institutions, non-profits, small businesses, and government entities within the United States. The program emphasizes diversity, encouraging applications that include participants from underrepresented backgrounds in cancer research, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and women. Applications must include a recruitment plan to enhance diversity, an evaluation plan with baseline metrics and methods for measuring program impact, and a strategy for instruction in the responsible conduct of research.

Proposals will be assessed on criteria such as significance, innovation, and approach. Reviewers will evaluate the relevance of the course to cancer research, the qualifications of the course directors and faculty, and the strength of the educational environment. The application process follows NIH's standard submission dates, with the earliest submission starting December 25, 2023, and subsequent deadlines every January, May, and September until January 2027.