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

Open

National Institutes of Health

Deadline: Jan 7, 2027federal

Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Summary

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) aims to support small-scale research grants at institutions with limited NIH funding, focusing on providing biomedical research experiences for undergraduate students and enhancing the research environment. Eligible institutions include public and private higher education institutions that award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million in NIH support over the past seven years. To apply, interested institutions should refer to the full opportunity announcement for specific application instructions and additional details.

Full Description

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.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Education

  • Public and state institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

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.

Grantor contact information

Description

NIH Grants Information grantsinfo@nih.gov

Email

See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.

grantsinfo@nih.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Oct 30, 2025

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