The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reissued the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) to support small-scale research projects at institutions with a focus on undergraduate education. The primary objectives are to enhance the research environment at eligible institutions, provide undergraduates with meaningful biomedical research experiences, and support meritorious research led by faculty at these institutions. Eligible institutions are those that award baccalaureate science degrees and have received less than $6 million annually in NIH funding (direct and indirect costs) in four of the last seven years.

The program seeks to strengthen research environments and provide undergraduates with hands-on experience in biomedical research. Undergraduate students must form the majority of the research team, with participation in experiment design, data analysis, presenting findings, and contributing to publications. The AREA program emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging participation from students of diverse backgrounds. It does not fund health professional schools or institutions that provide training for professional health degrees.

Applications may request up to $375,000 in direct costs for a project period of up to three years. Preliminary data are not required, although they may be included to establish the research's foundation. Projects must align with NIH’s mission of advancing knowledge in biomedical science and should include plans for student involvement in research activities without formal didactic training components. Institutions must validate their eligibility through a signed letter from a senior academic official.

Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions that primarily serve undergraduate students. Each Principal Investigator (PI) must have a primary appointment at an eligible non-health professional school and cannot hold an active NIH research grant at the time of the award. Non-U.S. institutions are not eligible, although foreign components may be included.

Applications are reviewed based on their potential impact on research, rigor and feasibility, and the strength of the research environment. Special emphasis is placed on involving undergraduates in the research and the project’s ability to enhance institutional research capacity. Applications must comply with NIH’s data sharing and management requirements, and the research team must include plans to engage students in all aspects of the research process.

Key dates include an earliest submission date of January 25, 2025, with the first application deadline on February 25, 2025. Applications are accepted three times annually, with deadlines in February, June, and October. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact NIH program staff for guidance on aligning their research with the priorities of the specific NIH institute or center.

This funding opportunity provides a vital platform for smaller institutions to contribute to biomedical research, fostering an inclusive and innovative research environment while preparing the next generation of scientists.