FOA-NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed); April 25, 2021

 

 

Agency

NIH

 

Description

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research educational activities that complement other formal training programs in the mission areas of the NIH Institutes and Centers.

 

NIA Interest in Diversity: Reducing health disparities among older adults will require multiple fresh approaches including (1) increased local, regional, and national literacy in science and health, and (2) increased inclusion of minorities in the health and medical research professions. While it is clear that a researcher need not come from a minority or a disadvantaged background to contribute to the understanding and remediation of health disparities, it is reasonable to expect that such individuals as a group would possess particular motivation and persistence, as well as familiarity and insight into these problems. Therefore, effective recruiting efforts should tap into this talent pool and include a focus on bringing scientists from underrepresented groups into biomedical research.

 

Objectives include:

- Expand opportunities in research training and career development for and provide research supplements to research investigators from, racial and ethnic minority and other health disparity populations.

- Increase the number of researchers conducting health disparities research among older adults.

 

NIA is seeking applications that offer (1) structured research experiences, (2) tailored learning opportunities, (3) an emphasis on explaining the relevance of aging and the science of aging to students' lives, and (4) opportunities to engage fellow students with an interest in science in order to develop a cadre of graduates who will go on to research careers allowing them to diversify the research workforce on aging, enrich the questions asked, and expand the scope of interventions developed from the research. The means to achieve this end may include structured research experiences or other targeted activities.

 

To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on the following:

 

Research Experiences: For example, for undergraduate students: to provide hands-on exposure to research in the MSTEM fields as they relate to aging, to reinforce their intent to graduate with a science degree, and/or to prepare them for graduate school admissions and/or careers in research, where appropriate, to the interests and abilities of the students. Some experiences may be planned for the academic year while others may be designed as summer experiences. Programs should be planned that allow for sustained multi-year involvement from undergraduates.  

 

Activity Code:

R25

 

Announcement Number:

PAR-20-317

 

Closing Date:

April 25, 2021

 

Link to Full Announcement

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-20-317.html