The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are reissuing the NIH Research Education Program (R25), which aims to support educational activities that enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. This funding opportunity specifically seeks to fund programs that offer intensive, hands-on research experiences in neuroscience, allowing participants to gain advanced skills, techniques, and knowledge in the field. The programs should focus on practical, immersive learning combined with discussions and coursework that support the primary hands-on activities.

Eligible programs must provide a national platform for neuroscience education, including a rigorous recruitment and selection process. The programs should bring together national and potentially international experts to offer research education that is not available at a local level. Participants are expected to return to their home institutions equipped with advanced skills that can be applied to their own research endeavors.

The funding allows a maximum annual budget of $250,000 in direct costs, and projects can last for up to five years. Compensation for participants and other program-related costs, such as travel and materials, is allowed but must be itemized and justified. The application process requires the submission of detailed plans, including a research education program, an evaluation plan to assess the program's effectiveness, and a dissemination plan, if applicable.

Applicants must be from eligible higher education institutions or nonprofit organizations. The program director (PD) should have a strong background in neuroscience research and education, and the faculty involved must be national leaders in their fields. Applicants are also encouraged to develop outreach strategies that promote diversity within the program’s faculty and participants.

The first submission deadline for new applications is July 15, 2024. Subsequent annual deadlines are also set for July 15 through 2026, with the earliest potential project start date in April 2025. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and potential applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent 30 days before the application deadline. Applicants should follow the NIH submission guidelines and ensure all required registrations, including eRA Commons and Grants.gov, are complete before applying.