Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 117

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 117

The NIH Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) Program (PAR 25-117) is an R01 grant opportunity designed to broaden both who is supported by NIH and where NIH-supported research happens across the United States and its territories. At its core, ReWARD aims to expand the reach of NIH-funded research by backing investigators who are already making meaningful contributions to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the biomedical research ecosystem, while also strengthening the geographic distribution of NIH-supported work beyond the usual hotspots.

A defining feature of this program is that it is meant for scientists who do not currently hold NIH research project grant funding. In other words, ReWARD is structured to help capable, DEIA-engaged investigators who are not presently supported by an NIH RPG re-enter, launch, or substantially advance an independent research program. The award supports health-related scientific research aligned with the programmatic interests of one or more participating NIH Institutes and Centers, and it intentionally couples that research support with funding for DEIA-focused activities led by the investigator.

The grant is built around a dual-purpose model. First, applicants propose a rigorous scientific project that fits within NIH institute priorities (the specific topic area can vary depending on the participating institute or center). Second, applicants propose concrete DEIA activities aimed at enhancing diversity in the U.S. biomedical research enterprise. These DEIA activities are not treated as an add-on; they are a supported part of the award, meaning the program explicitly expects investigators to advance both their research aims and their DEIA contributions in parallel. The DEIA component is focused on strengthening diversity within the biomedical research workforce and environment across the United States and U.S. territories, such as through mentorship, training, pathway development, outreach, or other structured efforts that improve participation and inclusion in research settings.

ReWARD uses the R01 mechanism and is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose research that includes a clinical trial if it is scientifically appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. As an R01, it is generally geared toward substantial, hypothesis-driven or problem-focused projects with clear aims, a strong plan, and measurable outcomes, while the DEIA activities should also be planned in a way that is actionable and trackable rather than purely aspirational.

Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types commonly eligible for NIH funding. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, and 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as allowed by NIH rules. The opportunity also highlights a range of mission-aligned institutional types and community-linked organizations, 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 Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. This emphasis signals NIH interest in engaging institutions that have deep ties to communities and are positioned to broaden participation in biomedical research.

There are important limits regarding foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. Practically, that means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based (including U.S. territories), but certain well-justified foreign components could be included in the project if they meet NIH policy requirements.

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding within activity areas that include education and health (among other social service-related categories). The opportunity lists multiple CFDA numbers associated with different NIH institutes and program areas, reflecting the multi-institute nature of NIH participation. The posting indicates an original closing date of January 7, 2028, suggesting a multi-year window in which NIH expects to receive applications under this announcement (subject to standard NIH cycles and any stated receipt dates in the full announcement). The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided summary, which is common when NIH intends budgets to be guided by institute-specific policies, project needs, and R01 norms rather than a single fixed cap in the synopsis.

Overall, ReWARD is best understood as an NIH R01 that deliberately invests in investigators with a demonstrated DEIA footprint, pairing a substantive biomedical or health-related research project with funded activities that expand diversity and inclusion in the research enterprise. It is structured to increase both the breadth of the scientific workforce supported by NIH and the geographic spread of NIH-supported research activity, while reinforcing measurable DEIA progress as part of the investigator's funded scope of work.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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, 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.846, 93.853, 93.859, 93.865, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 25 117

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