R15 GUIDE FOR REVIEWERS

Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Applications
Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) Applications

Purpose of the Award

• Supports small-scale research projects at educational institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH support and provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists.
• The NIH R15 Research Enhancement Award includes two programs:
  • Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions
  • Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools

Goals

• To support meritorious research
• To strengthen the research environment of the institution
• To expose undergraduate and/or graduate students to research

Details

• It is not the reviewer's responsibility to determine the organization's and PD/PI's eligibility.
• A signed letter is required from the Provost or similar official with institution-wide responsibility,verifying eligibility of the applicant institution at the time of application.
• The PD(s)/PI(s) may not be PD(s)/PI(s) of an active NIH research grant at the time of award.
• Project period is limited to 3 years.
• Direct costs are limited to $300,000 over the entire project period. Because R15 grants are multi-year funded awards, the entire budget MUST be requested in Budget Period 1. NIH modular budget policy applies.
• Awards can be renewed by competing for an additional project period.
• The application should propose a research team, including undergraduate and/or graduate students(as specified in the respective funding opportunities), that is appropriate to accomplish the project's specific aims.The application should propose important scientific contributions to be made by the student research team.
• This is not a training or fellowship program. The application should include plans to expose students to hands-on research but should not include training plans.
• The application should include information on the PD/PI's prior experience in mentoring and supervising students in research. Detailed outcomes of prior students should be provided.