NIMH Research Education Programs Supporting Psychiatric Residents (R25)

This award supports research education experiences and activities designed to develop, maintain, and expand the scientific abilities of psychiatry residents in areas relevant to the mission of NIMH.

Notice of funding opportunity

• PAR-23-266 , R25: NIMH Research Education Programs for Psychiatry Residents - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed 

Due dates

• New applications, renewals, and resubmissions: May 25

Program director(s)/principal investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) eligibility

The PD(s)/PI(s) should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD(s)/PI(s) should have a strong track record as a research educator in a scientific area related to the mission of the NIMH.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women, are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Program faculty

Mentors should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Mentors must be committed to continuing their involvement throughout the total period of the mentee’s participation in this award.

Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and women, are encouraged to participate as preceptors/mentors.

Participants

Unless strongly justified based on exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Participants in this NIMH R25 program are limited to psychiatry residents who are in good standing in an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency program.

Institution eligibility

• U.S. domestic institutions

Additional information

While the proposed research education program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. When research training programs are ongoing in the same department, the applicant organization should clearly distinguish between the activities in the proposed research education program and the research training supported by the training program.

The R25 program plan should provide programmatic detail and a timeline on the program's objectives and specific activities proposed (e.g., courses, curricula, seminars, short-term research experiences) and how these objectives align with clinical residency requirements. The application should also describe expected processes for: (a) planning and implementing the proposed activities, (b) selecting, monitoring, and evaluating participants and mentors, (c) coordinating among existing training or research activities available at the site (when appropriate), (d) how the program will leverage institutional resources, and (e) how the program will facilitate the research career progression and research momentum of participants as they transition to the post-residency stage of their careers. In addition, information describing the annual number of anticipated participants and their PGY level should be provided. Organizations participating in joint applications should demonstrably be involved in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the program.

Renewal Applications should include a description of the previously supported program and its objectives, results of the outcomes measured, the number and characteristics of participants in the past project period, materials disseminated, and any changes in the administration, objectives, or program activities during the prior project period. The description of the proposed program for the next funding period should highlight how the program continues to evolve as well as any changes in program objectives and/or activities planned to maintain the currency of the program offered.

For complete guidance on the components of the Research Education Program Plan, see Section IV of the funding opportunity.

Budget

Application budgets may not exceed $200,000 in direct costs annually and are expected to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum period is 5 years.

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at eight percent of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, expenditures for equipment, and consortium costs in excess of $25,000) rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

Personnel costs

Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the research education program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. If mentoring interactions and other activities with participants are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then any costs associated with the mentoring and other interactions with participants are not allowable costs from grant funds.

Administrative and clerical costs, as well as salaries of the PD(s)/PI(s) associated with directing, coordinating, administering, and implementing the program should be well-justified, reasonable, and may not exceed 25% of the total direct costs in any year. Consultant costs may not be used to substitute for these costs.

Participant costs

If sufficiently justified, participants may be compensated for participation in activities specifically required by the proposed research education program. Participant costs must be itemized in the proposed budget.

Other program-related costs

Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution. Consultant costs may not be used to substitute for Personnel costs.

Up to $5,000 may be requested annually for research support (e.g., research supplies, technical support) for individual NIMH R25-supported residents who are committing less than 50% effort in a given postgraduate year (PGY). In PGY years where participating residents commit 50% or more effort to the R25 program, up to $10,000 annually may be requested for research support. The amount requested should reflect each participant's level of effort in the program and be well justified.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to review the funding opportunity and the FAQs below prior to contacting the appropriate NIMH Research Training and Career Development representative for additional information.

FAQs

Q: Do participants need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents?

A: Unless strongly justified based on exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Participants in this NIMH R25 program are limited to psychiatry residents who are in good standing in an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency program. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate NIMH Research Training and Career Development representative.

Q: Is a letter of intent required as part of the R25 application?

A: No. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan for the review.

Q: How will my R25 application be evaluated?

A: Reviewers will assess to what extent implementation of the proposed program will support research educational activities and experiences that will develop and expand the interest and abilities of research education psychiatry residents to conduct research in areas relevant to the mission of NIMH and its current strategic priorities. Renewal applications will be evaluated based on the progress made in the last funding cycle, and the program's success in achieving its objectives. Please see Review Criteria in Section V. of the funding opportunity .

Q: Which R25 programs are NIMH currently supporting?

A: For current NIMH-supported R25 Research Psychiatry Resident Educational Program awards, see NIMH-Funded Research Education Programs Supporting Psychiatry Residents.

Q: I am currently supported by another NIH research training and career development award. Am I eligible to supplement my stipend with this R25?

A: No. R25 funds cannot be used to provide additional salary or stipend support to individuals supported by NIH training and career development mechanisms, such as K-, T-, or F-series awards). The R25 program is not intended as a substitute for an NRSA institutional training program (e.g., T32). Costs to support full-time participants (supported for 40 hours/week for a continuous, 12-month period) are not allowable. However, PIs on other training awards may receive, and indeed are encouraged to receive, educational experiences supported by an R25 program.