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

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required) aims to support small-scale research grants at institutions that primarily serve undergraduate students and do not receive substantial NIH funding. This initiative seeks to strengthen research environments at eligible institutions, offer undergraduate students meaningful biomedical research experiences, and advance meritorious research projects. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees, have undergraduate enrollments exceeding graduate enrollments, and must not have received more than $6 million annually in NIH funding in four of the last seven fiscal years. The AREA program specifically excludes health professional schools and focuses on institutions where undergraduate research participation is central. The research supported by this grant must involve clinical trials that are mechanistic or pose no more than minimal risk to participants. These studies are not intended to formally establish efficacy, require FDA oversight, or lead directly to changes in health policy or clinical practice. Instead, they aim to generate data that inform subsequent larger-scale investigations. Eligible trials must address meaningful biomedical questions while ensuring that undergraduate students are actively engaged in various aspects of the research process, such as experimental design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. This grant does not support training plans or non-research activities but encourages inclusive environments where diverse students can access research opportunities. Applicants may request up to $375,000 in direct costs for a project period of up to three years. The total project budget must be included in the first year’s budget period. Student salaries are allowed, and compensation must align with institutional policies. Preliminary data are not required but may be included if available. Applications must emphasize student participation in meaningful research activities, include plans for laboratory safety, and demonstrate how the project will strengthen the research environment of the institution. Additionally, proposals must include a signed letter from the Provost or equivalent institutional official verifying eligibility and compliance with AREA program requirements. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, particularly those serving underrepresented populations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. institutions are not eligible. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must hold primary appointments at eligible undergraduate-focused institutions and cannot simultaneously hold other active NIH research grants, including another R15 grant. Applications will be evaluated based on their scientific merit, significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, and approach. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of student engagement, the research environment, and the institution’s ability to support undergraduate research. Clinical trial designs will be assessed for feasibility, ethical considerations, statistical rigor, and alignment with the AREA program’s objectives. Applications must adhere to NIH’s Data Management and Sharing Policy and include detailed plans for resource sharing, data dissemination, and laboratory safety protocols. Deadlines for application submission occur annually on June 25, October 25, and February 25, through February 2027. Applicants must use NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system platform for submission. Institutions must complete necessary registrations, including System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (for foreign institutions), Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. Applications that fail to meet submission requirements may be rejected without review. Successful proposals are expected to contribute significantly to the research capacity of undergraduate-focused institutions, foster meaningful undergraduate student research experiences, and yield valuable scientific findings that advance the mission of participating NIH institutes. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult NIH program officers to align their projects with institutional priorities and AREA program goals.