National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The overarching goal of this National Cancer Institute (NCI) R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on Research Experiences, Curriculum or Methods Development and Outreach. The NCIs mission is to conduct and support research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to cancer. This funding opportunity seeks to facilitate the education of students from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research who will become knowledgeable about cancer, and available to focus on cancer later in their careers. With the aim of enhancing the pool of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds interested in pursuing a career in biomedical research via early intervention strategies, the NCI Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Program will support efforts to create and maintain an institutional program to engage grades 6-12 and/or undergraduate students from underrepresented populations in cutting edge cancer research experiences. The proposed institutional programs may also provide research experiences for the grade 6-12 teachers and undergraduate faculty members who serve underrepresented student populations. The specific goals are to inspire interest in biomedical sciences, help envision research as a career path, and strengthen practical research and career skills. In alignment with these goals, institutions may develop unique programs that capitalize on their research strengths and are responsive to their target populations.