Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 25 003
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering an R25 Research Education grant opportunity titled "Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OD-25-003. This is a discretionary grant mechanism in the NIH Research Education Program (R25), which is designed to fund structured educational activities that strengthen the research workforce. The central purpose of this specific announcement is to build and enhance capacity in the behavioral and social sciences by supporting short, focused courses that teach innovative methods and approaches. The emphasis is on practical skills development through well-designed courses, rather than on conducting new research studies.
The overarching NIH goal for this R25 program is workforce development: improving training and education in ways that help the nation meet biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. In this announcement, NIH is looking for "creative educational activities" that complement existing training pathways and fill skill gaps, particularly in cutting-edge or emerging methodologies relevant to behavioral and social science research. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose short-course offerings that can upskill participants, broaden methodological toolkits, and improve the rigor and innovation of research practice in these fields. Because the activity category is Education (with the FOA explicitly centered on "Courses for Skills Development"), the strongest proposals typically focus on a clearly defined audience, measurable learning objectives, high-quality curriculum content, and a credible plan for delivery and evaluation.
A key restriction is built into the title and eligibility language: clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity. That means the award cannot be used to run an intervention study that meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial. The focus must remain on education and training activities, such as instruction in innovative methodologies, workshops, short courses, and similar structured learning experiences, rather than testing the efficacy of interventions on health or behavioral outcomes.
Eligibility is broad within the United States and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations meeting NIH eligibility requirements. The opportunity also highlights a range of institution types and community-based entities that may apply, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized (in addition to federally recognized tribal governments already included in the general eligibility list).
At the same time, the FOA is clear that foreign participation is not permitted in the role of applicant or component. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. In addition, foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In other words, the project leadership, the supported activities, and the organizational components supported by the award must remain entirely domestic.
Administrative details provided in the source data include an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating the maximum amount NIH expects to provide per award under this announcement (typically interpreted as a per-year direct cost cap unless the FOA states otherwise, though the exact budget structure should be verified in the full FOA text). The original closing date is April 9, 2027, and the opportunity was created on March 12, 2025. The sponsoring agency is NIH, and the listing references multiple CFDA numbers (now commonly tracked under Assistance Listings), reflecting that multiple NIH institutes or program areas may be associated with the funding stream. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as NIH support for high-impact, short-format training programs that disseminate innovative behavioral and social science research methods to a targeted audience, with the explicit boundary that funds may not be used to conduct clinical trials and may not support foreign organizational involvement.Apply for RFA OD 25 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.279, 93.313, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-03-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-04-09.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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FAQs: NIH R25 Research Education Grant - Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (RFA-OD-25-003)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is an NIH Research Education (R25) discretionary grant titled "Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OD-25-003. It supports structured educational activities, specifically short, focused courses that teach innovative methods and approaches in the behavioral and social sciences.
What is the main purpose of this R25 announcement?
The central purpose is to build and enhance capacity in the behavioral and social sciences by funding short courses that strengthen practical research skills and expand methodological toolkits. The emphasis is on education and training rather than on conducting new research studies.
What type of activities does NIH want to fund under this FOA?
NIH is looking for creative educational activities in the form of short, focused courses for skills development. The supported work should deliver structured instruction in innovative or emerging behavioral and social science methodologies and approaches.
Is this grant intended to fund new research studies?
No. This R25 program is designed to fund structured educational activities that strengthen the research workforce. The focus is on teaching and training (course design, delivery, and evaluation), not on running new research studies.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA. The award cannot be used to run an intervention study that meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial. The project must remain focused on education and training activities.
What does "Clinical Trials Not Allowed" mean in practical terms?
It means the grant cannot be used to test the efficacy of interventions on health or behavioral outcomes in a way that NIH would classify as a clinical trial. Proposed work should stay within educational and training activities such as instruction, workshops, and short courses.
What is the overarching NIH goal for this R25 program?
The overarching goal is workforce development: improving training and education to help the nation meet biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. In this FOA, that translates into upskilling learners in cutting-edge behavioral and social science research methods.
Who is the intended audience for these short courses?
The FOA emphasizes proposing a clearly defined audience. Applicants are expected to identify who the courses are for and how the training will fill specific skill gaps in behavioral and social science research methodology.
What makes a strong application according to the description provided?
Based on the opportunity description, the strongest proposals typically include a clearly defined audience, measurable learning objectives, high-quality curriculum content, and a credible plan for course delivery and evaluation.
What kinds of course outcomes is NIH trying to encourage?
The FOA aims to support courses that upskill participants, broaden methodological toolkits, and improve rigor and innovation in behavioral and social science research practice.
What organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad for U.S.-based applicants and includes many domestic organizations and governmental entities, such as state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations meeting NIH eligibility requirements.
Are community-based and regionally focused organizations included in eligibility?
Yes. The opportunity highlights that faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations may apply (as long as they are eligible domestic entities under NIH requirements).
Are Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) specifically referenced as eligible?
Yes. The eligibility language highlights institution types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. The opportunity includes Indian/Native American tribal governments. It also specifically notes Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized (in addition to federally recognized tribal governments included in general eligibility).
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly highlighted as eligible.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The opportunity mentions eligible agencies of the federal government as potential applicants.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization apply if it has a non-U.S. component?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. The supported activities and organizational components must remain entirely domestic.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned?
The listing includes an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating the maximum amount NIH expects to provide per award under this announcement.
Is the $200,000 cap per year or total?
The information provided states an award ceiling of $200,000 but does not specify whether it is per year or total. The description notes that this is typically interpreted as a per-year direct cost cap unless the FOA states otherwise, and recommends verifying the exact budget structure in the full FOA text.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is April 9, 2027.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 12, 2025.
Which agency sponsors this funding opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the grant mechanism and program area?
This is an NIH Research Education Program (R25) award. The activity category described is Education, centered on courses for skills development.
What is the focus area of the courses supported by this FOA?
The focus is on innovative methodologies and approaches in the behavioral and social sciences, with an emphasis on practical skills development and filling gaps in cutting-edge or emerging methods.
How should applicants think about "workforce development" in this context?
In this FOA, workforce development means improving education and training so that researchers and trainees gain modern, practical methodological skills that strengthen the rigor and innovation of behavioral and social science research.
Does this opportunity reference CFDA or Assistance Listing numbers?
Yes. The listing references multiple CFDA numbers (now commonly tracked under Assistance Listings), suggesting multiple NIH institutes or program areas may be associated with the funding stream.
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