The Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (PAR-24-144) is a grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at enhancing research capacity and infrastructure at higher education institutions with limited NIH funding. The SuRE program is designed to support investigator-initiated research in biomedical, social, behavioral, clinical, or translational sciences that align with NIH’s mission areas. By focusing on institutions that have not received significant NIH research project funding, the program seeks to expand opportunities for faculty investigators and provide students with meaningful research experiences, thereby strengthening the scientific culture at these resource-limited institutions.

Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education that serve diverse communities, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Applicants must not currently hold any active NIH Research Project Grants (RPGs), except for existing SuRE or SuRE-First awards. This eligibility requirement helps ensure that the program benefits institutions and researchers who have historically faced challenges in securing federal research funding. Foreign entities, as well as non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, are ineligible to apply.

The grant provides up to $100,000 in direct costs per year for a period of up to four years, supporting research activities that can include laboratory-based studies, data analysis, or other scientific investigations excluding clinical trials. The SuRE program is structured to assist institutions in building sustainable research programs by equipping faculty with the necessary resources to conduct independent research and involving students in high-quality research training. This dual focus on faculty development and student research engagement is intended to enhance the institution's overall research environment and improve its ability to compete for future NIH funding.

The program encourages proposals that address diverse areas within the NIH’s research domains, including but not limited to mental health, aging, cancer, infectious diseases, environmental health, and human genome research. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed research will contribute to both the scientific field and the development of research capacity at the institution. Proposals should outline plans for mentorship, student involvement, and institutional support to ensure long-term sustainability of the research initiatives.

Applications are accepted through January 7, 2027, providing a considerable timeframe for preparation. The lack of a specified award floor allows flexibility in project scope, though proposals should be well-justified in terms of budget and research objectives. This funding opportunity is a strategic initiative to cultivate new research talent, particularly at institutions that may not have traditionally been research-focused but are committed to expanding their scientific programs.

Further details on submission guidelines, program requirements, and research priorities are available through the NIH grants website linked in the announcement. For questions regarding the grant process or eligibility, applicants can contact the NIH grants information service.