RFA-AG-26-011
NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Summer Research Education Program (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD Summer Research Education Program (R25)
Research Focus & Contribution
This program supports summer research education experiences designed to expand and diversify the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) research workforce. The NIA seeks to address a critical shortage of scientists in AD/ADRD research—spanning basic biomedical, behavioral, clinical, translational, prevention, and treatment domains—by providing early-stage exposure to hands-on research. Programs target high school students, undergraduates, or science teachers with intensive 8–14 week summer experiences that combine authentic, open-ended laboratory work with complementary educational enrichment (scientific writing, presentation skills, journal clubs, technical coursework). The intended contribution is twofold: to incubate the next generation of early-career investigators in NIA mission-critical areas including frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia, and to strengthen STEM retention and interest in aging-related research among younger populations. Participants may gain research experience in clinical trials led by mentors, though they cannot lead independent trials.
At-a-Glance
- Who can apply: Academic institutions (R25 education grants); programs must be distinct from existing federally-funded training and cannot replace NRSA programs.
- Funding & project length: Up to $200,000 direct costs per year for a 5-year project period; 8–14 weeks of summer research education annually.
- Award / mechanism: R25 Education Projects grant; up to 5 new awards per year in FY 2027 and FY 2028 ($1,000,000 total commitment each year).
- Key dates: Applications open April 27, 2026; earliest start date May 27, 2026; expiration May 27, 2027.
- Best fit for: Institutions with AD/ADRD research capacity seeking to develop summer pipelines for high school students, undergraduates, or STEM teachers; programs emphasizing dementia subtypes, aging neurobiology, and translational research pathways.
Key Facts
Deadline
Wed, May 26, 2027
Posted
Tue, September 2, 2025
Award / Year (direct costs)
$200,000
Max Total
$1,000,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
Programs must be 'distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving federal support' and cannot 'replace or circumvent' NRSA programs, but the criteria for determining distinctne
90%
Source Text
“Research education programs may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving federal support. R25 programs may augment institutional research training programs (e.g., T32, T90), but cannot be used to replace or circumvent Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs.”
Participants cannot lead an independent clinical trial, but may participate in clinical trials led by mentors—this distinction could be misunderstood as a blanket prohibition on clinical trial involve
85%
Source Text
“This NOFO does not allow participants to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.”
Applicants must demonstrate that the program 'will add significant value over existing programs at the applicant institution,' but no criteria or examples are provided for what constitutes 'significan
80%
Source Text
“Applicants must demonstrate how this program will add significant value over existing programs at the applicant institution.”
Science teacher participant compensation is capped at $20,000 per teacher, but the FOA does not clarify whether this is an annual cap or a total cap for the entire project period.
75%
Source Text
“Science teachers can be provided with salary and fringe benefits up to $20,000 per science teacher.”