Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 27 077
Apply for PAR 27 077
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.172, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.313, 93.855, 93.859, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-05-25.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research education grant mechanism offered under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). Its central purpose is educational rather than clinical or treatment-focused: it funds projects that help pre-college audiences (from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) better understand how biomedical research works and why it matters, while also building awareness of and long-term interest in STEM fields and careers. In practical terms, this opportunity is aimed at strengthening the pipeline into biomedical and behavioral science by supporting hands-on, research-informed learning experiences, outreach, and curriculum or program development that connects students and educators with modern biomedical science.
This funding opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant with the funding opportunity number PAR-27-077, titled "NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)." The "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" designation means applicants should not propose projects that meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial. The work supported here is expected to be education and engagement centered (for example, activities that explain research concepts, expose students to scientific practices, or prepare teachers to deliver high-quality biomedical science education), not interventions that test health outcomes in human participants in a way that would qualify as a clinical trial.
SEPA supports research education activities aligned with NIH mission areas. That includes educational efforts that accurately reflect biomedical research processes, such as how scientists form hypotheses, design studies, collect and analyze data, ensure rigor and reproducibility, address ethics, and translate findings into broader understanding. Projects typically focus on improving biomedical literacy among young learners and strengthening STEM identity and career awareness, particularly through partnerships that bring together schools, universities, museums, science centers, community organizations, or other local and regional education stakeholders. While the opportunity summary provided does not list specific required project types, the program goal signals a strong emphasis on well-designed educational activities, measurable learning objectives, and dissemination of effective approaches that can be adopted more broadly.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education for the nonprofit categories as stated); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In other words, this opportunity is open to a wide range of domestic education, research, and community organizations that can credibly deliver science education programming connected to biomedical research.
At the same time, NIH is explicit about restrictions on foreign involvement for this particular competition. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Applicants therefore need to structure their work so that the program is fully domestic in terms of applicant organization and program components, avoiding foreign subawards or foreign project elements that would be considered a foreign component under NIH policy.
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers, reflecting the fact that NIH uses SEPA across its institutes and centers and aligns awards with different mission areas. The assistance listing numbers shown include 93.121, 93.172, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.313, 93.855, 93.859, and 93.866. The agency is the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity record indicates an original closing date of 2029-05-25, suggesting a long-running notice with recurring due dates or a standing solicitation window typical of NIH program announcements, though applicants would still need to confirm the specific receipt dates, review criteria, and any institute-specific participation details in the full NOFO (especially Section III on eligibility and related requirements).
Finally, several administrative details are not specified in the provided excerpt, including the award ceiling and the expected number of awards, which are left blank. Anyone considering applying would need to consult the full notice of funding opportunity to understand budget expectations, project periods, allowable costs, review considerations, required attachments, and the types of educational outcomes and evaluation plans NIH expects for SEPA projects.
FAQs: NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25) - PAR-27-077
What is the NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA)?
SEPA is an NIH research education grant mechanism under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). It supports education-focused projects that help pre-college audiences understand how biomedical research works, why it matters, and how it connects to STEM learning and career pathways.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central purpose is educational. SEPA funds projects designed to improve biomedical literacy and build sustained interest in STEM fields and careers among pre-kindergarten through 12th grade learners, typically through hands-on, research-informed education and outreach.
Who is the intended audience for SEPA-funded activities?
The intended audience is pre-college learners from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Projects may also involve educators and other stakeholders as part of delivering high-quality biomedical science education to those learners.
Is this opportunity focused on clinical care or treatment programs?
No. The opportunity is centered on science education and engagement related to biomedical research. It is not described as a clinical or treatment-focused program.
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-27-077, titled "NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for applicants?
It means applicants should not propose projects that meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial. Supported work is expected to focus on education and engagement (such as explaining research concepts, exposing students to scientific practices, or training teachers to deliver biomedical science education), not testing health outcomes in human participants in a way that would qualify as a clinical trial.
What kinds of activities does SEPA generally support?
Based on the opportunity description, SEPA supports research education activities aligned with NIH mission areas. Examples of the kinds of educational content emphasized include how biomedical scientists form hypotheses, design studies, collect and analyze data, ensure rigor and reproducibility, address ethics, and translate findings for broader understanding. The description also points to hands-on, research-informed learning experiences, outreach, and curriculum or program development that connects students and educators with modern biomedical science.
Does SEPA require projects to be tied to the NIH mission?
Yes. SEPA supports research education activities aligned with NIH mission areas, meaning the educational programming should accurately reflect biomedical research processes and concepts.
Are partnerships encouraged under this program?
Yes. The description emphasizes partnerships that may bring together schools, universities, museums, science centers, community organizations, and other local or regional education stakeholders to deliver biomedical science education programming.
Are there expectations for measurable objectives or evaluation?
The provided summary signals an emphasis on well-designed educational activities, measurable learning objectives, and dissemination of effective approaches that can be adopted more broadly. Specific evaluation requirements are not detailed in the excerpt and would need to be confirmed in the full NOFO.
Is dissemination of project approaches or results important?
Yes. The description highlights dissemination of effective approaches that can be adopted more broadly, indicating that projects should be designed with broader usefulness and sharing in mind.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as described in the excerpt); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply for this competition.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component or foreign component in the project?
No. The excerpt states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Applicants should structure the work to avoid foreign subawards or foreign project elements that would be considered a foreign component under NIH policy.
What agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of grant is SEPA considered in this announcement?
It is listed as a discretionary grant and is offered under the NIH Research Education Program (R25).
What Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple Assistance Listing numbers: 93.121, 93.172, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.313, 93.855, 93.859, and 93.866.
What is the stated closing date in the opportunity record?
The opportunity record indicates an original closing date of 2029-05-25.
Does the 2029-05-25 closing date mean I can apply anytime until then?
Not necessarily. The excerpt suggests this may be a long-running notice with recurring due dates or a standing solicitation window typical of NIH program announcements. Applicants should confirm the specific receipt dates and any other timing details in the full NOFO.
Are award ceiling amounts or the expected number of awards provided in the excerpt?
No. The excerpt states that the award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified (left blank). Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget expectations and related details.
Where should applicants look for details not included in the excerpt?
Applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including eligibility and related requirements (referenced as typically found in Section III), as well as information on budget expectations, project periods, allowable costs, review considerations, required attachments, institute-specific participation details, and expectations for educational outcomes and evaluation plans.
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