Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 14 121
Apply for PAR 14 121
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 27, 2014 and posted on Feb 27, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 25, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25) grant opportunity, listed as PAR-14-121, was a discretionary NIH grant program administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). Its central purpose was to fund structured research education activities that align with NIH mission areas, with a specific emphasis on strengthening and diversifying the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce. In practice, the opportunity was aimed at helping institutions build or enhance programs that prepare students for research careers by improving access to high-quality training environments, strengthening persistence in research pathways, and expanding participation among individuals from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the research enterprise.
The program’s overarching goal was workforce development through intentional educational design, rather than funding stand-alone research projects. The announcement encouraged applicants to develop creative, well-organized educational experiences that make research training more accessible and effective. The main activity areas highlighted were (1) hands-on research experiences, (2) courses or other structured activities focused on skills development, and (3) strong mentoring components. These elements point to a comprehensive approach: placing students in research settings where they can build practical competence, pairing that experience with targeted training in research-relevant skills, and surrounding students with mentoring structures that support academic progress, professional identity, and long-term career planning. The intent was to create environments where students not only gain technical experience, but also learn the norms of scientific work, build confidence, and develop the networks and guidance that often determine whether a trainee continues toward advanced study and research careers.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, the opportunity was categorized as a grant (funding instrument type: Grant) within the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.859 (Biomedical Research and Research Training). Cost sharing or matching was not required, which generally lowers barriers for institutions that may not have the resources to contribute substantial non-federal funds. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with several categories of institutions that serve specific populations and are often central to broadening participation in science. These included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), among others as referenced in the announcement’s eligibility section. Foreign institutions were explicitly not eligible, and foreign components of U.S. organizations were not allowed, consistent with NIH policies stated in the notice.
Key dates indicate that the opportunity was posted on February 27, 2014, with an original and current closing date of January 25, 2016, and it was archived on February 25, 2016. This means it is no longer an active competition under that specific announcement number, but it remains a useful reference for understanding the design and expectations of NIH research education mechanisms focused on diversity and training infrastructure.
For applicants at the time, the practical takeaway was that proposals needed to present a coherent education and training plan centered on student development, with clear training activities, mentoring structures, and a rationale for how the program would enhance diversity and promote successful progression toward research careers. The NIH also provided an official listing and full program details through the NIH Grants Guide (linked in the announcement), and support contacts were provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email for access or technical issues with the online materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25) - PAR-14-121
What is the IMSD (R25) grant opportunity (PAR-14-121)?
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25), listed as PAR-14-121, was a discretionary NIH grant program administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). It was designed to fund structured research education activities that align with NIH mission areas, with an emphasis on strengthening and diversifying the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce.
What was the main purpose of this program?
The central purpose was workforce development through intentional educational design. Rather than funding stand-alone research projects, the program supported well-organized research education experiences that help students prepare for research careers, strengthen persistence in research pathways, and expand participation among groups historically underrepresented in the research enterprise.
Which NIH institute administered this opportunity?
The opportunity was administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at NIH.
What type of NIH mechanism was used?
This opportunity used the NIH Research Education Program mechanism (R25) and the funding instrument type was a Grant.
What kinds of activities were encouraged under IMSD (R25)?
The announcement highlighted three main activity areas: (1) hands-on research experiences, (2) courses or other structured activities focused on skills development, and (3) strong mentoring components. Together, these were intended to create comprehensive research training environments that build practical competence, skills, confidence, and professional networks.
Was this funding intended for research projects?
No. The program focus was research education and student development. The intent was to support structured educational experiences and training infrastructure, not to fund stand-alone research projects as the primary purpose.
What was the program trying to improve for students?
The program aimed to improve access to high-quality training environments, strengthen persistence in research pathways, and support long-term career planning. It emphasized helping students gain technical experience, learn the norms of scientific work, build confidence, and develop mentoring and networks that support continued progression toward advanced study and research careers.
Who could apply (eligible applicant organizations)?
Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The eligibility section also referenced several institution types that often play key roles in broadening participation in science, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), among others.
Were foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions were explicitly not eligible under this announcement.
Were foreign components allowed as part of a U.S. organization’s application?
No. Foreign components of U.S. organizations were not allowed, consistent with the NIH policies stated in the notice.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching was not required for this opportunity.
What funding activity category did this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity was in the health funding activity category.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 93.859 (Biomedical Research and Research Training).
When was PAR-14-121 posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 27, 2014.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original and current closing date listed was January 25, 2016.
Is PAR-14-121 still an active funding opportunity?
No. The announcement was archived on February 25, 2016, which indicates it is no longer an active competition under that specific announcement number.
If the opportunity is archived, why is it still useful?
Even though it is no longer active, it remains a useful reference for understanding the design and expectations of NIH research education mechanisms focused on diversity, mentoring, and training infrastructure.
What would a strong application have needed to emphasize (when it was active)?
Based on the description, proposals needed to present a coherent education and training plan centered on student development, including clear training activities, mentoring structures, and a rationale for how the program would enhance diversity and promote successful progression toward research careers.
Where were the official details and full program information provided?
The official listing and full program details were provided through the NIH Grants Guide, as linked in the announcement.
Who was listed as a contact for access or technical issues with online materials?
Support contacts for access or technical issues were provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email, as referenced in the announcement.
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