RFA-AG-26-010: NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (R25)

RFA-AG-26-010: NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (R25)

Executive summary

This is the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) R25 research education opportunity for institutions that want to build intensive postbaccalaureate research experiences in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). The notice is RFA-AG-26-010, titled “NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program.” It is an education grant, not a conventional project grant for a single laboratory’s research.

The first listed application deadline, May 27, 2026, has passed. The official notice also lists May 26, 2027 as the next application deadline, at 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, and states that late applications will not be accepted. This page uses the later confirmed date because it is published in the same active NOFO. It is not a historical archive entry for the closed first round.

NIA says it intends to commit $2,000,000 in FY 2027 and $2,000,000 in FY 2028 to fund up to five new awards each year. An application may request up to $400,000 in direct costs per year. The notice allows a project period of up to five years, but the proposed scope should determine the period requested. These figures describe the federal award framework; they are not a guaranteed award amount for every application.

The program is intended to help recent baccalaureates move toward AD/ADRD-focused advanced degree programs or research careers. The proposed experience should give participants substantial hands-on research, sustained mentoring, academic development, and professional development. A proposal should make clear why the participants need this structured period before entering a graduate, professional, or other research position.

What this opportunity funds

The NOFO funds organizations, not individuals applying for personal fellowships. A sponsoring institution submits an R25 research education program and must show that it can recruit, mentor, support, and evaluate recent baccalaureates. The participant experience is the center of the proposal, but the applicant must supply the faculty, facilities, administration, educational resources, and institutional commitment needed to run it.

The program’s research focus is AD/ADRD as related to aging. The notice describes a need for more scientists across basic biomedical, behavioral, clinical, translational, prevention, and treatment research. An application may involve different scientific disciplines, but a general STEM program is not enough. The proposed activity must be primarily directed toward AD/ADRD research and must be designed for participants who have completed a baccalaureate degree.

The planned experience is one to two years of intensive research education for recent baccalaureates. Participants are expected to work on independent research projects in AD/ADRD under appropriate supervision, while also receiving mentoring and preparation for later research training or employment. Training in rigor and reproducibility is required. Academic development can include courses, seminars, or supplemental instruction, while professional development can include preparation for relevant careers, conferences, workshops, and other activities tied to the participant’s goals.

The notice does not permit participants to lead an independent clinical trial. It does permit an appointed participant to obtain experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. An applicant should distinguish these two situations clearly in the research education plan.

Key details at a glance

Who this opportunity is for

This is a strong match when an organization can make an evidence-led case for a structured, participant-centered AD/ADRD research education program. Likely applicants include public or private higher education institutions, research-focused nonprofits, and other domestic categories listed by NIH that can provide real research settings and qualified mentors. A community-based or regional organization may be eligible under the notice’s listed categories, but eligibility alone does not demonstrate the facilities, faculty, research activity, participant employment, and administration needed for a competitive application.

The sponsoring organization must assure support for the program. The application should identify the departments, laboratories, computer services, staff, educational resources, and other facilities that will support the participant experience. The program can involve affiliated or local institutions, and NIA encourages collaborations where they improve participation and access to research. Any collaboration should have defined responsibilities and should not make it unclear which organization is the applicant and how participants will be supervised.

The target participant is a recent baccalaureate graduate who is not yet in an advanced degree program and would benefit from an intensive period of mentored AD/ADRD research. The notice says that participants must have a baccalaureate degree and that programs should primarily educate U.S. citizens and permanent residents unless exceptional relevance to NIH is strongly justified. Applicants should explain how candidates will be recruited, why they would benefit from the program, and how the experience can prepare them for rigorous research-oriented careers or advanced degree programs.

The notice specifies a minimum effort split for ERA Postbacc participants: 9 person-months, or 75% of full-time professional effort, in research, and 3 person-months, or 25% effort, in further academic or professional development. When participant support is requested, remuneration is through salary and wages. The notice also requires an employee-employer relationship with the university and says compensation must be reasonable and commensurate with the institution’s practice for people in similar circumstances.

Who should not use this opportunity

This is not the right mechanism for a single laboratory seeking funds for experiments without a research education structure. It is also not a general internship call, a broad STEM outreach grant, or a substitute for an existing NRSA training program. The NOFO says applications will be considered non-responsive if they propose programs primarily outside AD/ADRD research, have a general STEM focus, or do not focus on participants with a baccalaureate degree.

An institution that already has a T32 or another federally funded training program may still apply, but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from the federally supported program. The R25 may complement institutional research training; it cannot replace or circumvent an NRSA program. The proposal should compare the existing program and the new ERA activity directly, showing distinct participants, experiences, mentoring structure, outcomes, or access where applicable.

Foreign organizations, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not eligible. The organization categories in Section III are broad, but every applicant must also demonstrate institutional commitment and satisfy NIH registration and submission requirements.

Eligibility and compliance details

Section III lists public and private higher education institutions; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; other for-profit organizations; state, county, city or township, and special district governments; federally recognized and other Indian or Native American tribal governments; a U.S. territory or possession; independent school districts; public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; faith-based or community-based organizations; and regional organizations.

The participant rule is separate from the organization rule. A domestic eligible organization still needs a participant recruitment and support plan that fits the notice. Participants must have a baccalaureate degree, and the program should primarily serve U.S. citizens and permanent residents unless an exceptional NIH-relevant justification is provided.

The organization must complete and maintain the required registrations before submission. These include an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and the associated Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. eRA Commons requires the organization to identify at least one Signing Official and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator account. Every PD/PI must have an eRA Commons account, and the Commons ID must be entered in the required credential field. NIH warns that incomplete registrations are not a valid reason for a late submission.

Multiple applications from one organization are permitted when each application is scientifically distinct. NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time. Cost sharing is not required under this NOFO.

Funding and budget planning

The award framework has several separate limits and conditions. Applicants should build the budget from the proposed participant model and activities, then justify every cost against the R25 instructions.

• Direct costs of up to $400,000 per year may be requested.
• Up to twelve postbaccalaureate positions may be requested for each grant year.
• Participant remuneration is through salary and wages. The total package can include fringe benefits and, when applicable and necessary, tuition remission and fees.
• Personnel designing, directing, and implementing the program may request salary and fringe benefits for the person-months devoted to the activity, subject to institutional policy and the congressional salary cap.
• Consultants, equipment, supplies, travel for key people, and other program-related expenses may be included when specifically justified and not duplicative of resources generally available at the institution.
• Limited program evaluation costs are allowed up to $3,000 per year.
• Reasonable participant travel to the research site or a domestic scientific conference may be requested when connected to the program.
• Indirect costs are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs, excluding tuition and fees, equipment, and consortium costs above $25,000, rather than at a negotiated institutional rate.

NIA intends to commit $2,000,000 in each of FY 2027 and FY 2028 for up to five new awards each year. That planning figure should not be treated as a promise that every award will receive an equal share or the full direct-cost ceiling. A realistic budget should connect participant numbers, research effort, mentoring, development activities, evaluation, and administration.

Application timeline and what each date means

The first listed new and renewal/resubmission/revision deadline was May 27, 2026. That round has closed, and the NOFO expressly says that late applications will not be accepted. The next listed new and renewal/resubmission/revision deadline is May 26, 2027. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

The notice also lists scientific merit review in November 2027, advisory council review in January 2028, and an earliest start date in April 2028 for the later listed round. Those are review and award-cycle planning dates, not alternate submission deadlines. The notice expires on May 27, 2027, so applicants should verify that the application package and opportunity status remain available before submitting.

For the next listed round, start by confirming the organization category, participant rules, and distinction from existing federally funded training. Complete SAM, UEI, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov registrations well before submission. Then build the research education plan, institutional commitment letter, budget, participant support plan, evaluation plan, dissemination plan, and required training plans. Select one submission route early and involve the institutional signing official and grants office from the beginning.

Submit early enough to inspect the application in eRA Commons and correct errors. NIH states that a changed or corrected application must reach Grants.gov by the due date and time. Applicants are responsible for viewing the application in eRA Commons, and late applications are not accepted for this NOFO.

How to apply

The application package must be accessed through one of three electronic routes:

1. NIH ASSIST to prepare, submit, and track the application.
2. Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit, followed by eRA Commons tracking.
3. An institutional system-to-system solution, if the organization supports that route, followed by Grants.gov and eRA Commons tracking.

Paper applications are not accepted. The organization submits through Grants.gov, and the application must be tracked in eRA Commons. The required NIH Research instructions apply unless this NOFO provides a program-specific instruction that differs.

The Research Education Program Plan must include the proposed program, PD/PI, program faculty, program participants, institutional environment and commitment, instruction in methods for enhancing reproducibility, responsible conduct of research, evaluation, and dissemination. The plan should explain the mission and measurable objectives, participant selection, cohort development, science identity and belonging, professional development, mentoring, and transition outcomes.

The program must describe how faculty will be selected and trained as mentors, how participants will be matched to faculty, how participant progress will be monitored, and how unacceptable mentorship will be addressed. An advisory committee is strongly encouraged. If one is proposed, the application should describe its composition, responsibilities, expertise, meeting frequency, and role in monitoring progress. New applications should not include the names of proposed advisory committee members or contact them before peer review.

The application must also include program faculty biosketches as a single PDF with the filename specified by the NOFO, the institutional commitment letter, facilities and other resources, the budget, and all required forms and attachments in the NIH application guide. The application should include instruction in responsible conduct of research with the required format, subject matter, faculty participation, duration, and frequency. Training in rigor and reproducibility is also a required part of the research education plan.

The letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and is not part of peer review. The NOFO nevertheless asks prospective applicants to send one by the date in Part 1 so NIA staff can estimate review workload. It should identify the proposed activity, PD/PI(s), key personnel, participating institution(s), and the number and title of the funding opportunity. The letter does not replace the application or change the application deadline.

What reviewers will examine

The review framework covers significance, investigators, innovation, approach, and environment, with program-specific questions. Reviewers will consider whether the program develops a broad pool of well-trained postbaccalaureate participants who can transition into AD/ADRD research careers or doctoral programs. They will also consider the leadership team’s administrative and scientific ability, AD/ADRD expertise, mentoring preparation, governance, and succession planning.

The approach should show that recruitment, participant selection, research placement, mentoring, professional development, evaluation, and follow-up form a coherent program. The application should explain why each selected participant would benefit from the ERA experience rather than moving directly into a research position or advanced degree program. It should include measurable completion and transition objectives, not only a list of activities.

The notice also asks how the program will sustain recent baccalaureates’ interest in AD/ADRD research and broaden outreach through affiliated or local partnerships. A strong environment section will connect institutional facilities and staff to the actual participant experience. A strong evaluation section will track participant numbers and characteristics, completion, enrollment in AD/ADRD-related advanced degree programs, later research participation, formal training or career development, and biomedical research employment.

Official links and source trail

• NOFO: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-26-010.html
• NIH How to Apply guide: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-apply-grant
• NIH Grants Policy Statement and notices: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/index.htm
• eRA Commons: https://public.era.nih.gov/
• Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/

For official eligibility and application details, review the NOFO’s Part I key dates and submission routes, Section II award information, Section III eligibility, Section IV submission instructions and required attachments, Section V review criteria, and Section VII agency contacts.

Official links used for this page (for verification)

• Primary NOFO page: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-26-010.html
• Companion opportunity (summer variant): https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-26-011.html