Key Dates

Related Announcements

• November 21, 2024 - Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required. See NOFO PAR-25-148.

Issued by

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to update information in PAR-25-148 “Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required)” in Part 2. Section V. under the Scored Review Criteria. This Notice applies to applications submitted to the February 25, 2025 due date and beyond.

Part 2. Section V. Application Review Information

Scored Review Criteria

Factor 1. Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation)

The NOFO currently reads:

Significance

• Evaluate the importance of the proposed research in the context of current scientific challenges and opportunities, either for advancing knowledge within the field, or more broadly. Assess whether the project will yield rigorous data that can be disseminated and will be important to the field.
• Evaluate the rationale for undertaking the study, the rigor of the scientific background for the work (e.g., prior literature and/or preliminary data) and whether the scientific background justifies the proposed study.
• Evaluate the effect of this award on strengthening the institutional research environment and involving [undergraduate or graduate or health professional students] in research.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics replacing the text above in brackets):

Significance

• Evaluate the importance of the proposed research in the context of current scientific challenges and opportunities, either for advancing knowledge within the field, or more broadly. Assess whether the project will yield rigorous data that can be disseminated and will be important to the field.
• Evaluate the rationale for undertaking the study, the rigor of the scientific background for the work (e.g., prior literature and/or preliminary data) and whether the scientific background justifies the proposed study.
• Evaluate the effect of this award on strengthening the institutional research environment and involving undergraduates in research.

Part 2. Section V. Application Review Information

Scored Review Criteria

Factor 3. Expertise and Resources (Investigator(s) and Environment)

The NOFO currently reads:

Environment

• Evaluate whether the institutional resources, both applicant and other leveraged organization(s) are appropriate to ensure the successful execution of the proposed work.
• Assess the likely availability of [undergraduate or graduate or health professional students] to participate in the research project. Evaluate plans for informing undergraduate students of opportunities to participate in the research project.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics replacing the text above in brackets):

Environment

• Evaluate whether the institutional resources, both applicant and other leveraged organization(s) are appropriate to ensure the successful execution of the proposed work.
• Assess the likely availability of undergraduates to participate in the research project. Evaluate plans for informing undergraduate students of opportunities to participate in the research project.

All other aspects of this NOFO remain the same. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Mahua Mukhopadhyay, PhD
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-435-6886
Email: [email protected]