OpenFederal grantPAR-25-148

Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Jan 7, 2028(451 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH research grant for undergraduate-focused colleges and universities, not for businesses. It funds small-scale biomedical research, including minimal-risk clinical trials, with the point of giving undergraduate students hands-on research experience. If you run a for-profit company of any kind, including a small business or a nonprofit, you cannot apply; only higher-education institutions are eligible.

Best for
Undergraduate-focused colleges that award baccalaureate science degrees, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, and tribal colleges, Biomedical and behavioral science researchers wanting to involve undergraduates in research
Not for
For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietorships, Nonprofit organizations, Foreign organizations and any non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, Training
Who can apply
Colleges and universities

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 7, 2028.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. Only higher-education institutions may apply; for-profit businesses, including small businesses, are not eligible.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. This program does not accept nonprofit applicants; only higher-education institutions may apply.

Summary

NIH AREA (R15) grants for undergraduate-focused institutions that award baccalaureate science degrees and have limited NIH funding (≤$6M/yr in 4 of last 7 years). Funds small-scale investigator-initiated biomedical research, including mechanistic/minimal-risk clinical trials, with emphasis on undergraduate research experiences. Only higher-ed institutions may apply.

About this grant

The purpose of this Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is to support small scale research grants at institutions that do not receive substantial funding from the NIH, with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences primarily for undergraduate students and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million dollars per year of NIH support (in both direct and F and A/indirect costs) in 4 of the last 7 fiscal years. For institutions composed of multiple schools and colleges, the $6 million funding limit is based on the amount of NIH funding received by all the non-health professional schools and colleges within the institution as a whole. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports investigator-initiated mechanistic and/or minimal risk clinical trials addressing the mission and research interests of the participating NIH institutes. For the purpose of this NOFO, minimal risk clinical trials are defined as those that do not require FDA oversight, do not intend to formally establish efficacy, and have low risks to potentially cause physical or psychological harm.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Other Eligible Applicants include the following:

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Education

Set-asides

  • Hispanic serving
  • Hbcu
  • Tribal

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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