Limited Competition: NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Research Education Grant (R25 — Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Open Call for Concept Proposals | NIH NOFO: PAR-25-197

Key Dates

Background

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) serves as the administrative hub for Duke’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), supporting the development, implementation, and dissemination of innovative solutions to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into improved healthcare. As a CTSA Hub, Duke University is eligible to apply for the Limited Competition: NCATS CTSA Program Research Education Grants Programs (R25 — Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-25-197).

The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. Specifically, R25-supported research experiences are expected to be relevant to NCATS’ mission of studying translation on a system-wide level, agnostic to a specific disease, to better understand the scientific and operational principles underlying each step of the translational process.  The goal is not to focus on specific diseases, but on what is common among them and the translational science process.

NOTE:  PAR-25-197 was updated March 31, 2025, to align with agency priorities. Applicants should read the full current NOFO. CTSI will work with the selected team to ensure the application is allowable and aligned with all NIH directives. The CTSA R25 is administratively linked to the CTSA UM1 application. A letter of support from the CTSA MPIs will be required, and the application must be submitted through the CTSI unit. The CTSI Team will support submission of the selected application.

Call for Concepts

CTSI leadership is supporting the submission of one R25 application from Duke and is inviting brief, 3-page R25 concept proposals from eligible Duke faculty. Submitted concepts (due September 1, 2026) will be reviewed internally and one applicant will be selected to prepare a full proposal for NIH submission by the May 28, 2027, deadline.

Responsive applications should: 

• Propose innovative research experiences that provide hands-on exposure to clinical and translational science research in a laboratory or a field setting to stimulate the interest and advance the knowledge of participants to consider further training for future careers as clinical and translational science researchers. See below for eligible participant categories.
• Extend research experiences beyond the home CTSA hub, including experiences in industry, regulatory agencies, nonprofit organizations, or at less research-intensive partner institutions.
• Clearly outline how successful outcomes will be evaluated and how the program may be disseminated to and/or implemented at other CTSA hubs and beyond.

See PAR for additional details and examples of research experiences.

Eligibility

Eligibility for R25 PI and team include the following: 

• PI Appointment: The Principal Investigator (PI) must hold an appointment and be affiliated with Duke University and be eligible to serve as a PI on NIH grants according to the written policy of the PI’s home institution. 
• PI Qualification (NIH Requirement): Per PAR-25-197, the PD/PI must be an established investigator who has successfully competed for an R01 or R01-equivalent grant in the targeted scientific area. The PD/PI must be capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the program.
• UM1 Constraint: The Duke CTSA UM1 PD(s)/PI(s) may NOT serve as PD(s)/PI(s) on the R25 application, per PAR-25-197 requirements.
• Research Team Expertise: The research team must demonstrate expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program, including mentoring and teaching experience in clinical and translational science.

Collaborations across Duke, NCCU Durham Tech, or with other CTSA hubs and community organizations, are strongly encouraged. Applicants interested in developing collaborations with NCCU are encouraged to contact the Duke-NCCU Bridge Office.

Program Requirements (per PAR-25-197)

Proposed programs must meet the following requirements set by the NIH NOFO:

Research Experience Structure

• Programs must provide full-time (40 hours/week) research experiences of 10–15 weeks in length.
• Programs proposing fewer than 15 weeks may supplement with part-time support up to the equivalent of 15 full-time weeks, provided all participation is completed within a 12-month period.
• A cohort of participants must be trained in every year of the award, including year one.
• Proposed experiences must be distinct from those currently receiving federal support (e.g., T32 programs); however, they may complement existing training programs.

Eligible Participants

Programs may serve participants across the following career levels:

• Undergraduates (including community college students) — to provide hands-on CTS research exposure and preparation for advanced study or CTS careers
• Graduate research and clinical students (PhD, MD, DMD, DNP, etc.) — to extend skills and knowledge base for CTS research
• Postdoctoral fellows and medical residents — to extend CTS research skills and experiences
• Junior faculty — to enhance CTS research skills by working with faculty at a partnering institution

Budget Parameters

• Maximum award: $100,000 direct costs per year; maximum project period of 5 years. See PAR-25-197 for details. For budget-related questions, please contact the CTSI Grants and Contracts Manager, Cristiane Kopper (cristiane.kopper@duke.edu), who can provide assistance as needed.
• Personnel (including consultants) capped at $3,500 direct costs per participant per year.
• Participant costs (travel, supplies up to $1,000/participant, salary/fringe, housing up to $1,000/participant) must be budgeted in the Participant/Trainee Support Costs section and cannot be re-budgeted.
• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are now an allowable participant cost (new in PAR-25-197).
• Stipends, daily meals, local transportation, and gifts are NOT allowable.
• Indirect costs are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (not on the negotiated rate).

Concept Proposal Requirements (3-Page Limit)

Proposals should be submitted as a single PDF (Arial 11 pt, single-spaced, minimum 0.5-inch margins) and must include the following sections. Please review the full Program Announcement before developing your proposal.

Internal Review Criteria

Concepts will undergo internal review by Duke CTSI leadership and faculty experts. Reviewers will evaluate whether the proposed program:

• Addresses a critical gap or barrier in clinical and translational science workforce development.
• Is led by a strong investigative team with a demonstrated record in CTS research and education, and a PD/PI with an R01 or R01-equivalent award.
• Proposes specific aims that are well-reasoned, feasible, and appropriate in strategy, methodology, and approach.
• Provides research experiences that are novel to participants and not duplicative of existing federally supported training programs.
• Extends beyond a single disease focus to address the principles underlying the translational science process.
• Offers a compelling coordination and integration plan with the CTSA UM1.
• Challenges or shifts current practice through innovative approaches or methodologies.
• Provides clear evaluation, dissemination and implementation plans with potential for adoption at other CTSA hubs.

Timeline

Submission Instructions

Submit the completed concept proposal as a single PDF via the MyResearchProposal (MRP) portal. Click “Create New User” or log in if you already have an account. Proposals must be submitted under the Principal Investigator’s name. A step-by-step User Guide for applying via the MyResearchProposal software is available here.

After logging in, enter Access Code CTSI, then select ““Research Education Grant (R25) — Concept Proposal Submission". 

Formatting Requirements:  Arial 11 pt • Single-spaced • Minimum 0.5-inch margins • 2-page maximum (NIH biosketches may be attached separately and are not counted toward the page limit) • Submit as a single combined PDF

Contacts

Area-Specific / Programmatic Inquiries