National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute, a component of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has reissued its Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25, Clinical Trial Not Allowed). This program is designed to advance the NIH Research Education (R25) mission by providing structured educational opportunities to individuals who have not had substantial exposure to biomedical research or who would significantly benefit from additional experience. The central aim is to strengthen the pipeline of future biomedical researchers by fostering interest and engagement as early as grades 6–12 and continuing through undergraduate levels. The NCI emphasizes its mission of advancing cancer research, training, and dissemination of knowledge while encouraging educational models that cultivate sustained interest and retention in biomedical careers. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support institutional programs that integrate three essential components: mentored research experiences, curriculum or methods development, and outreach. The mentored experiences must focus on cancer-related research and include individually guided projects for high school and undergraduate participants, as well as opportunities for teachers and faculty to enhance their instructional approaches. Curriculum development is expected to produce tools that educators can bring back to their classrooms, enriching science teaching and reinforcing the impact of participants’ research experiences. Outreach must engage not only participants but also their families and communities, helping to create an environment supportive of scientific exploration and long-term academic persistence. The maximum award budget is $400,000 in direct costs per year, for a maximum project period of five years. Allowable expenses include personnel and consultant costs proportional to program size, participant stipends or cost reimbursements, education-related materials, and modest housing and travel support for participants. Specific budget caps include up to $4,500 per participant annually for personnel support, $1,500 per participant annually for research education-related expenses, and up to $1,000 annually for participant housing allowances. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. Pre-award costs follow NIH Grants Policy Statement rules. Matching funds or cost sharing are not required for this program. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes higher education institutions, public and private nonprofits, local governments, tribal organizations, independent school districts, and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. Foreign institutions are not eligible, nor are foreign components of U.S. organizations. All student, teacher, and faculty participants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents. Applicant organizations must demonstrate institutional commitment through dedicated staff, facilities, and educational resources to ensure long-term program success. Mentors must have appropriate research expertise and be committed to sustained engagement with participants. Applications must be prepared and submitted electronically via NIH ASSIST, institutional system-to-system submission, or Grants.gov Workspace. Applicants must complete all required registrations (SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov) well before the deadline. No letters of intent are required, though applicants are encouraged to notify NCI with program details if planning to apply. The application must include a comprehensive Research Education Program Plan covering goals, recruitment, mentoring, evaluation, and long-term tracking strategies. An Advisory Committee is required to monitor program progress and effectiveness. Plans must also include instruction in responsible conduct of research and detail evaluation methods to measure impact on students’ long-term educational and career outcomes. Applications are due annually on September 27, 2024, September 26, 2025, and September 28, 2026, by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Scientific merit review follows in March of the subsequent year, with advisory council review in May and earliest possible award start dates in July. Applications will not be accepted after the deadlines, and no late submissions are permitted. This program will expire on September 29, 2026. NCI will conduct a formal evaluation of the YES Program within seven years of awards to assess overall impact, retention outcomes, and whether to continue, modify, or discontinue the initiative. Applications will be reviewed on their significance, innovation, approach, investigators, and environment, with particular emphasis on the holistic integration of required components and sustained impact on participant retention in biomedical research. Contacts for scientific and research questions include Jessica Calzola, PhD, and Shadab Hussain, PhD at NCI’s Innovative Program Branch. For peer review matters, applicants may reach the NCI Referral Officer, and for grants management, Sean Hine at NCI is available. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the entire funding opportunity closely, as updates aligning with NIH policy and agency priorities have been incorporated.