Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 - Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 19 133

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 133

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is an NIH grant mechanism (R15) designed to fund smaller-scale biomedical and behavioral research projects at colleges and universities that have historically received limited NIH support. The program is built around a dual goal: advancing a focused research question while also strengthening the research culture at the applicant institution. A major emphasis is giving undergraduate students meaningful, hands-on research experiences that expose them to modern research methods, mentorship, and the day-to-day process of doing science, with the broader intent of helping build the future biomedical workforce.

A key eligibility requirement is that the applicant institution must be undergraduate-focused in a measurable way. Specifically, it must award baccalaureate degrees in the sciences and must not be a major recipient of NIH funding. The FOA defines this funding threshold as having received less than 6 million dollars per year in NIH support (total costs) in at least 4 of the last 7 fiscal years. The opportunity is open to both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, and it explicitly recognizes and includes several categories of institutions that often serve underrepresented or historically underserved communities, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).

This particular R15 announcement is labeled “Clinical Trial Required,” meaning proposed projects may include clinical trials, and the FOA is structured to support investigator-initiated studies that fit within the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The clinical trial scope is constrained to mechanistic and/or minimal risk clinical trials. In practical terms, the studies supported here are not meant to be large, pivotal efficacy trials. Instead, they can include trials designed to understand mechanisms (for example, how a biological, behavioral, or intervention-related process works) and minimal risk trials that do not require FDA oversight, do not aim to formally establish efficacy as their primary purpose, and present a low likelihood of causing physical or psychological harm. This focus keeps the work feasible for smaller, undergraduate-centered institutions while still allowing rigorous human-subjects research when appropriate.

From a funding perspective, the award ceiling listed is $300,000, indicating the maximum amount expected per award under this announcement (as presented in the source information). The grant is administered by the National Institutes of Health and falls under discretionary grant funding, with activity categories tied to education and health. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the announcement, reflecting the involvement of multiple NIH components and the wide range of scientific areas that could potentially align with institute priorities.

There are also clear restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as applicants, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which typically means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain well-justified elements of the project that take place outside the U.S., subject to NIH rules and approvals.

In summary, PAR-19-133 supports smaller, investigator-initiated research projects at primarily undergraduate institutions with limited NIH funding histories, with the explicit intent of integrating undergraduates into substantive biomedical research. It allows mechanistic and minimal risk clinical trials aligned with participating NIH institute missions, provides a pathway for institutions to build research capacity, and sets clear eligibility and foreign involvement boundaries to keep the program focused on strengthening U.S.-based undergraduate research environments.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 - Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.233, 93.242, 93.279, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.859, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 19 133

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: