RFA-AG-26-011: NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Summer Research Education Program

Sponsor: NIH
Internal Deadline: 05/13/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 2
Program Website

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites R25 applications to support the development and implementation of summer research education programs for high school students, undergraduates, or science teachers. It is essential to expand and broaden the skilled Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) research workforce and provide exposure to AD/ADRD research to individuals early in their careers. The proposed research education programs will support intensive summer research experiences in the AD/ADRD field with the goal of exposing participants to AD/ADRD research and encouraging further study or participation in biomedical and behavioral research.

To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this NOFO will support educational activities with a primary focus on:

• Research Experiences

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.

To further expand the AD/ADRD research workforce pathways for earlier stage students, NIA will support summer research experiences for high school students, undergraduates, or science teachers. The expectation is that such a program would incubate and develop the next generation of early-stage investigators to pursue research careers representative of NIA mission-critical areas, namely AD/ADRD research, including frontotemporal, Lewy body, and vascular dementia. Proposed programs should provide authentic "open-ended", hands-on exposure to AD/ADRD research as it relates to aging as part of a comprehensive program based in sound educational practices designed to stimulate the interest and advance the knowledge base of participants. In addition to hands-on research experiences, programs are expected to include complementary educational enrichment activities that support the participants' scientific development, such as relevant workshops (e.g., scientific writing and presentation skills), journal clubs, technical laboratory coursework, among other relevant activities. Program goals and objectives should be grounded in literature and appropriate for the educational level of the audience to be reached, including the content to be conveyed, and the intended outcome(s). Outcomes for high school students may include preparing them for undergraduate admissions and enhancing their interest in pursuing a science decree. Outcomes for college students may include reinforcing their intent to graduate with a science degree, preparing them for graduate or medical school admissions, and/or preparing them for careers in AD/ADRD research. Support for science teachers will be limited to those programs with a clear plan for how teachers will utilize their summer experience in their teaching during the school year, such as enhancing the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum or increasing number of STEM courses taught. 

Focus on High School Students, Undergraduates, or Science Teachers: Science education research has demonstrated that early exposure to scientific research leads to the retention of trainees in STEM. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) specifically highlights the need for retention of trainees in STEM by involving them in contemporary, hands-on research experiences especially during the first two years of college. Summer research experiences provide important experiential learning to sustain students’ interests in STEM and medicine careers. The short-term summer experience, in contrast to a year-long experience, allows for a focused and concentrated effort on instruction, and intentionally coincides with the time of year when the target populations of this program (i.e., high school students, undergraduate college students, or science teachers) would typically have the opportunity to engage in such a research educational experience. 

Applicants should consider how the developed programs can optimize participation and potentially include additional participants from outside the applicant institution, especially those in local and/or affiliated institutions. Applicants must demonstrate how this program will add significant value over existing programs at the applicant institution.

Each institution must have a unique program structure that maximizes resources, departments, and faculty at the applicant institution to address the target population. Applicants are encouraged to propose collaborations with affiliated and/or local institutions, as appropriate. Applicants are also encouraged to partner with existing NIH-funded or other federally-funded resources and programs and leverage research education activities from both federal and private-sector partners.

No more than two applications are allowed per institution. If two applications are submitted, then the two awards must be for different target groups.

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

• Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
• a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
• a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)