This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages Research Education (R25) grant applications from applicant organizations that propose to create educational opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in areas of biomedical or behavioral research of particular interest to the NIDDK, while fostering the career development of these students and fellows. The structure of the educational opportunity can include an intensive summer research program, a curriculum-based program or a combination of both experiences. The NIDDK is especially interested in attracting students and postdoctoral fellows from scientific disciplines underrepresented in disease-oriented biomedical research, such as engineering, informatics, computer science, and computational sciences, to encourage them to apply their expertise to research relevant to diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive and liver diseases; nutrition; obesity research and prevention; and kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases. 

Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the research education program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. (If mentoring interactions and other activities with students/participants are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then any costs associated with the mentoring and other interactions with students/participants are not allowable costs from grant funds).

The award may also provide support for an Advisory Committee to manage, coordinate, and evaluate the program. The principal investigator and program faculty may derive additional compensation from other Federal sources or awards provided the additional compensation does not exceed the maximum annual salary level for Federal employees, set at the Executive Level I of the Federal Pay scale, and their total effort from all sources does not exceed 12 calendar months. Include any limitations (e.g. caps) associated with Personnel costs.

In the case of a summer program, an Advisory Committee may be formed to screen applicants and assign them to an appropriate mentor.

These requested expenses must be itemized in Sections A and B, as appropriate, of the Research & Related Budget. 

Source and More Information:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-047.html