Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 21 357

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 357

The Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required), listed as PAR-21-357, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen research capacity at institutions that historically receive relatively low levels of NIH funding. The program focuses on supporting small-scale biomedical and health-related research projects while simultaneously building a stronger research environment on campus. A central goal is to create meaningful, hands-on research experiences for students, with particular emphasis on health professional students as well as undergraduate and graduate trainees. In practice, the award is meant to help institutions expand research opportunities, improve mentorship and training in research settings, and reinforce a culture where student involvement in biomedical research is a core part of the institution's educational mission.

This specific R15 announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Required," which signals that the proposed work is expected to include a clinical trial component as defined by NIH policy. Applicants should treat that designation as a major design constraint: the project should be structured in a way that aligns with NIH expectations for clinical trial planning, oversight, and reporting. Because of that, proposals typically need clear clinical endpoints or outcomes, appropriate human subjects protections, feasible recruitment and retention plans, and the operational infrastructure to run a compliant trial, even at a smaller scale. The clinical trial requirement also implies careful attention to data and safety monitoring and other compliance elements that come with NIH-supported clinical research.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public or state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with other qualifying organizations that meet the program's eligibility expectations. The opportunity explicitly highlights that a range of designated serving institutions may apply, including 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). At the same time, it clearly limits foreign participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" are allowed when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign elements in the research if they are justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though the prime applicant must be domestic.

From a funding standpoint, the posted award ceiling is $300,000, reinforcing the program's small-scale, capacity-building intent rather than large, multi-site or resource-intensive efforts. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.172, 93.173, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867), reflecting that NIH may issue awards for a broad range of health and biomedical research areas under different institutes and centers. The opportunity record shows a creation date of January 10, 2022, and lists an original closing date of January 7, 2025, which is the key deadline applicants would use for planning submission timelines unless updated deadlines apply through NIH systems.

Overall, REAP (R15) under PAR-21-357 is best understood as an institutional enhancement mechanism: it funds a defined research project that includes a clinical trial, but it is equally aimed at developing people and infrastructure at less NIH-intensive institutions. Competitive projects are typically those that are scientifically solid and feasible within a modest budget, embed students meaningfully in the research work, and leave the institution stronger in terms of research experience, mentorship, and readiness for future externally funded research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172, 93.173, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 21 357

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