The Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Research Experiences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) supports educational initiatives that enhance cancer research training in the United States. Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), this funding opportunity aims to develop programs that provide hands-on cancer research experiences to various educational levels, including undergraduate, graduate, medical, and health professional students. The goal is to foster a well-trained biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce to address cancer-related issues, including its cause, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care for patients and their families.

Eligible programs should offer innovative, structured research experiences lasting 8 to 15 weeks, amounting to full-time (40 hours per week) engagement, which may also include complementary educational activities such as seminars and journal clubs. These supplementary activities should not exceed 20% of the weekly effort (about 8 hours). Programs can extend part-time support beyond 15 weeks to allow participants to complete their research projects within a 12-month period. A key component is direct mentoring by faculty who provide oversight and facilitate meaningful research exposure, potentially resulting in co-authorships on scientific publications or presentations at professional meetings.

Applicants can request a maximum annual budget of $300,000 in direct costs for up to five years. Allowable expenses include participant support for travel, research-related costs, subsistence, and housing allowances. However, participant salaries, stipends, health insurance, and fringe benefits are not covered. Additionally, funding can be allocated to personnel costs for program administration and other necessary program-related expenses such as consultant fees and supplies. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs.

Institutions eligible to apply include higher education institutions, non-profits, small businesses, and state, local, and tribal governments within the United States. The program emphasizes diversity and encourages applications that include participants from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research, such as individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, persons with disabilities, and women. Applications must detail a recruitment plan to enhance diversity and provide a comprehensive evaluation strategy to assess the program's success, including metrics for participant outcomes and program impact.

Applications are evaluated based on the significance of the proposed program, the qualifications of the program directors and faculty, innovation, the approach to achieving program goals, and the strength of the institutional environment and commitment. Programs must clearly distinguish their activities from any existing federally funded training programs at the applicant institution. Renewal applications should highlight achievements from prior funding periods and describe updates to the program.

The submission deadlines follow NIH's standard schedule, with specific dates for new, renewal, and resubmission applications, beginning January 25, 2024. Applicants must comply with all NIH registration requirements and submission guidelines through Grants.gov and eRA Commons to be considered for funding.