Limited Competition for the NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 22 510

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 22 510

The Limited Competition for the NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) is an NIH Research Education Program (R25) grant opportunity sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, specifically aligned with the mission areas of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It is designed to fund structured research education activities rather than independent research projects, with a clear emphasis on building and strengthening the pipeline of future biomedical and behavioral scientists. The program’s central aim is to expand access to research training and mentorship, particularly for individuals from diverse backgrounds and from groups that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research. The funding activity is categorized under health (with connections to food and nutrition as reflected in the activity category) and corresponds to CFDA number 93.847. Clinical trials are not allowed under this R25 announcement, meaning applicants must propose educational and training experiences that do not include running a clinical trial as part of the supported activities.

A key feature of this opportunity is its focus on short-term research experiences, which typically means time-limited, structured placements or programs that give participants meaningful exposure to research environments, research methods, and career development. While the notice provided does not spell out the exact program model, STEP-UP R25 programs generally center on mentored experiences, skills development, and structured programming that helps participants explore and prepare for research careers connected to NIDDK mission areas (such as diabetes, endocrinology, digestive diseases, nutrition, obesity, and kidney/urologic/hematologic diseases). In practice, strong proposals usually combine hands-on research exposure with career-focused elements like seminars, responsible conduct of research instruction, professional development workshops, near-peer networking, and sustained mentorship, all geared toward helping participants transition into further research training opportunities and, eventually, research careers.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and public entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The opportunity also allows a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both those with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories), as well as for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly highlights several institution types and community-linked entities that may be especially relevant to the program’s diversity and workforce-development goals, including 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), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity draws a firm boundary around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, and foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization, the program leadership, and the supported activities need to be U.S.-based, and the project should be designed without reliance on foreign components that NIH would classify as a foreign component of the grant.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant funding opportunity (Funding Instrument: Grant) under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DK-22-510. The record indicates an original closing date of 2023-08-17 and a creation date of 2023-05-23. The listed award ceiling is $220,000, which suggests the program is intended to support a defined, relatively focused education and training effort rather than a large-scale center or multi-site infrastructure. The entry shows “ExpectedAwards:” without a number provided, so the publicly captured source data here does not specify how many awards were anticipated. Overall, the opportunity supports organizations that can credibly run a structured, mentored, short-term research education program aligned with NIDDK priorities, with a strong commitment to broadening participation in the research workforce and providing practical, high-quality training experiences without conducting clinical trials.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition for the NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-08-17. (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 $220,000.00 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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