NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DK 21 023

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 21 023

The NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research education grant opportunity offered through the R25 mechanism, meaning it is designed to fund structured educational and mentoring activities tied to NIH mission areas rather than to support a traditional multi-year research project. Led by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the central purpose of this program is to strengthen and diversify the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce by creating high-quality research exposure and mentoring opportunities for students who are underrepresented in biomedical research. The funding opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which signals that the supported activities must not involve proposing or conducting clinical trials as defined by NIH.

STEP-UP specifically funds research institutions to run a national summer research experience program for high school and undergraduate students, typically lasting eight to ten weeks. The program emphasis is on hands-on research experiences paired with strong mentoring and educational enrichment, with the intent of helping students build skills, confidence, professional networks, and a clearer pathway into research training and research careers. The participants the program is meant to reach include students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in biomedical sciences, such as individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. In practical terms, an institution funded under STEP-UP would be expected to offer a well-organized summer experience that meaningfully places students into research settings, connects them with mentors, and provides additional programming that supports persistence in science (for example, career exploration in NIDDK-relevant fields, research skills development, responsible conduct of research education, and guidance on academic and career next steps).

Eligibility to apply is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and 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; certain tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when relevant to the category); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations as permitted under NIH rules. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types that align with the program's workforce diversity goals, 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity draws clear boundaries around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, foreign components are allowed if they meet NIH's definition in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning limited, well-justified international elements can be part of an otherwise eligible application, but the applicant organization itself must be eligible and domestically based.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary grant offered by NIH under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DK-21-023, associated with CFDA (now Assistance Listing) number 93.847, and categorized under health-related funding activity areas such as food and nutrition and health. The original closing date listed for the opportunity was September 1, 2021, and the public listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided data. Overall, the core idea is straightforward: STEP-UP funds institutions to create a structured, mentored summer research experience that expands access and opportunity for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping build a stronger and more diverse pipeline into NIDDK-relevant research fields.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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 2021-04-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for RFA DK 21 023

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