Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) (R25) | PAR 17 070

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the IPERT (R25) funding opportunity?

The Innovative Programs to Enhance Research Training (IPERT) is an NIH research education grant mechanism (R25) administered through NIGMS. It supports research education activities designed to strengthen, supplement, or improve research training, with the larger aim of building a workforce that can meet U.S. biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for IPERT?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-17-070.

Which NIH institute administers this program?

This opportunity is administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the central purpose of this R25 program?

The central purpose is to fund structured research education and training-enhancement efforts that improve research training and help individuals progress more effectively through the research training pipeline, ultimately supporting the development of a capable U.S. research workforce.

Is IPERT intended to fund traditional research projects that generate new scientific findings?

No. The IPERT R25 mechanism is not described as a traditional research project grant focused on producing new scientific findings. It is intended to support educational and training-focused activities that enhance research training and readiness for research careers.

What kinds of activities does IPERT emphasize?

The program emphasizes creative educational approaches in three main areas: Courses for Skills Development, Mentoring Activities, and Outreach.

What are "Courses for Skills Development" under this opportunity?

Courses for Skills Development are organized educational offerings that build practical competencies needed for modern research careers. These can include technical, analytical, or professional skills that complement standard academic training.

What are "Mentoring Activities" in the context of IPERT?

Mentoring Activities are efforts aimed at strengthening mentoring structures, improving mentor preparation, or expanding access to effective mentoring. The opportunity highlights mentorship as an important factor in trainee persistence, performance, and career advancement.

What does "Outreach" mean for IPERT-supported programs?

Outreach generally refers to efforts to broaden awareness of research training opportunities, increase participation in research education programs, or connect trainees and communities to research training resources.

What is the overarching goal of the supported programs?

The goal is to create programs that add clear value beyond existing institutional training by filling gaps and improving readiness for research pathways and research careers.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include various public and private entities such as certain government bodies, schools, higher education institutions, tribal governments, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, as described in the opportunity information.

Are U.S. state, county, city, or township governments eligible to apply?

Yes. State governments, county governments, and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.

Are special district governments eligible?

Yes. Special district governments are included as eligible applicants.

Are independent school districts eligible to apply?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed among eligible applicant types.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are federally recognized Native American tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) are listed as eligible applicants.

Are Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized eligible?

Yes. Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are included among eligible applicants.

Are public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofits eligible, and is 501(c)(3) status required?

Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, as described in the opportunity information (with a note that eligibility is addressed "as long as they are not institutions of higher education, where applicable").

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among the additional eligible applicant categories.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the listed eligible applicant categories.

Are regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations are listed among the eligible applicant categories.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included among eligible applicant categories.

Are foreign organizations or non-U.S. institutions eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply.

Can a U.S.-based applicant include a non-domestic component?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to be included.

Are foreign components allowed under this opportunity?

No. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Does this mean the proposed activities must be fully domestic?

Yes. Based on the restrictions described, proposed activities and program components need to be fully domestic in terms of applicant eligibility and allowable project structure.

What type of grant is this categorized as?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity area.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.859.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 7, 2016.

What closing date is listed in the source information?

The source information lists an original closing date of January 23, 2019.

Does the provided information include an award ceiling?

No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling in the fields shown.

Does the provided information include the expected number of awards?

No. The provided source data does not specify the expected number of awards in the fields shown.

Where should applicants look for budget guidance, project period norms, allowable costs, and review criteria?

The provided information indicates applicants would typically consult the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) text and NIH policy materials for details such as budget guidance, project period norms, allowable costs, review criteria, and other application requirements tied to the R25 mechanism.