National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 21 020

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 21 020

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Research Education Program is an NIH R25 education grant designed to build and strengthen cancer-focused research education pipelines, especially for students from diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The central purpose is early, sustained exposure to real research and career exploration so that more young people can see themselves in science, gain practical skills, and remain positioned to pursue further education and eventually contribute to the cancer research workforce. This is an education and training-focused program, not a clinical research funding mechanism, and the funding announcement explicitly indicates that clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity.

The program supports institutions in creating or maintaining structured, institutional-level initiatives that immerse participants in “cutting edge” cancer research experiences. Projects are expected to emphasize hands-on research experiences as a primary component, while also allowing strong complementary elements such as curriculum or methods development and outreach activities. In practice, that means an applicant might propose summer or academic-year lab placements, mentored research projects, skills workshops, responsible conduct of research instruction, near-peer mentoring, career panels, and structured exposure to different research careers tied to cancer biology, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, survivorship, data science, population science, or other cancer-relevant areas aligned with the institution’s strengths. The intent is not only to spark interest, but to help participants visualize a research career pathway and build tangible competencies that make the next steps (advanced coursework, college majors, research internships, graduate training) more accessible.

A distinctive feature of the YES Program is its focus on engaging students as early as grades 6 through 12, in addition to undergraduate students, using early intervention strategies to broaden participation in biomedical research. Applicants can target middle school and high school students, undergraduates, or a combination, depending on the institutional mission and community needs. The announcement also allows programs to include research experiences for the educators who support these students, specifically grade 6-12 teachers and undergraduate faculty who serve underrepresented student populations. This educator component can help extend the program’s reach by strengthening teaching capacity, incorporating modern cancer research concepts into classrooms, and building lasting partnerships between research institutions and local schools or colleges.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations that can credibly run education and research training programs. 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The opportunity also highlights eligibility for institutions and organizations that commonly serve underrepresented groups, 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 geographic and foreign participation rules are strict. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH Grants Policy) are not allowed. In other words, the program is intended to be run within the U.S. research and education ecosystem and to support domestic training activities and partnerships.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant issued by the National Institutes of Health under the education and health activity category (CFDA 93.398). The funding opportunity title is “National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed),” and the opportunity number is RFA-CA-21-020. The original closing date listed in the source information is 2023-09-28. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source excerpt, which typically means applicants need to consult the full announcement for budget limits, project period expectations, allowable costs, and review criteria.

Overall, the YES R25 is best understood as a workforce development and diversity-focused cancer research education initiative. It funds institutions to design thoughtful, evidence-informed programs that meet students where they are, provide meaningful exposure to cancer research, and deliver the mentoring, skills training, and career-navigation support needed to help underrepresented learners persist in biomedical research trajectories over the long term.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (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): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-28. (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 CA 21 020

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