NIMH Mentoring Networks for Mental Health Research Education (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 080

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 080

The NIMH Mentoring Networks for Mental Health Research Education (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-20-080) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research education grant designed to strengthen and expand the mental health research workforce through structured educational and mentoring activities. It sits within the NIH Research Education Program (R25), which is meant to support education-focused projects that complement existing research training pathways and help the nation meet its biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. In practical terms, this program is geared toward building or enhancing mentoring networks and research education experiences that prepare participants to pursue mental health research careers, rather than funding independent research projects themselves.

A key feature of the opportunity is its emphasis on research education and mentorship infrastructure. Applicants are expected to propose activities that improve access to high-quality mentoring, professional development, and research exposure in areas aligned with NIMH priorities. Because it is an R25 research education mechanism, the funded work typically focuses on curriculum development, mentoring structures, skills workshops, networking, and related educational supports that help trainees, students, or early-career individuals become more competitive and successful in mental health research. The funding activity category is Health, with CFDA number 93.242, and the awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health.

The announcement is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means proposed activities cannot include clinical trials as defined by NIH policy. While educational programs may involve exposure to research methods, observational experiences, or training around clinical research concepts, the grant is not intended to support the conduct of a clinical trial as part of the funded project. Applicants need to ensure that the proposed scope stays firmly within research education and mentoring, and does not cross into implementing a clinical trial.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) may apply, along with public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The opportunity is also open to nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The solicitation also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, and foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the project must be structured without foreign components under NIH definitions.

From the provided source details, the funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating an upper limit on the amount that can be requested per award under this notice (as reflected in the source summary). The record shows an original closing date of 2022-05-25 and a creation date of 2020-01-16, which helps place the announcement in time, though applicants would still need to verify current status, any reissues, and any updated due dates in NIH systems or the active notice.

Overall, this opportunity supports organizations that want to create or strengthen mentoring networks and educational programming that build capacity in mental health research. The central aim is workforce development: improving the pipeline and preparedness of individuals who will go on to contribute to biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research related to mental health, without funding clinical trials or allowing foreign components.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMH Mentoring Networks for Mental Health Research Education (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): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-05-25. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 20 080

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