The NIH Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25) offers financial support for immersive summer research opportunities tailored to high school students, undergraduate students, and high school science teachers. Administered by NIH Institutes and Centers, including NINDS, NEI, NIDCR, NIDA, NIEHS, and NIBIB, this initiative aims to strengthen the future workforce in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research by fostering early interest in these fields. The program provides up to $125,000 per year to cover direct costs, including salaries, participant compensation, and program-related expenses, with the maximum project duration capped at five years. Program formats are flexible but must span 8 to 15 weeks of research experiences annually.

The grant supports programs that immerse participants in authentic, hands-on research, often in laboratory or field settings. Program activities should be tailored to the educational level of participants, such as high school or undergraduate students, with the goal of preparing them for careers in research or enhancing STEM-related teaching for educators. In addition to conducting research, participants are expected to receive supplementary training in areas such as scientific writing, presentation skills, and rigor in scientific methodology. Programs should specifically include strategies to sustain scientific engagement for participants from all backgrounds, contributing to an inclusive and supportive research environment.

Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and various government bodies. Applications must meet NIH’s registration requirements, including SAM, UEI, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, with submission deadlines on March 18, 2025, March 17, 2026, and March 17, 2027. Each application should clearly distinguish its research education efforts from existing federally funded training programs, with an emphasis on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the scientific community. Notably, applicants are required to submit a detailed plan for retaining diverse participants and promoting an inclusive environment free from harassment or intimidation.

Review criteria will prioritize programs that clearly address an important educational need, demonstrate the capacity of PD/PIs for program leadership, and incorporate innovative, evidence-based strategies to reach participants. Each proposal should also include an evaluation plan to assess program impact, an inclusivity plan, and a recruitment strategy for engaging diverse participant groups. Specific evaluation components should track metrics such as program retention, participant achievements, and post-program outcomes related to academic and professional progression in STEM fields.

The program prohibits direct support for institutional administrative staff and full-time participation funding, restricting support to the specified summer period. Additionally, applicants must ensure compliance with NIH policies, including responsible conduct of research (RCR) training and data management if applicable. NIH’s evaluation process involves a two-tier peer review system, followed by funding decisions based on programmatic relevance, availability of funds, and scientific merit.

Questions can be directed to designated NIH program contacts based on the respective Institute or Center. For successful applications, a Notice of Award (NoA) will be issued by NIH, subject to federal grant regulations and reporting requirements. This includes submitting annual Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), participant documentation, and adherence to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requirements.