Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring Network (TEAM) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 23 013

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 013

The Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring Network (TEAM) program is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity under the NIH Research Education Program (R25) that focuses on strengthening research education and career development in ways that measurably increase diversity in the cancer biomedical workforce. The central purpose is not to fund clinical trials or traditional hypothesis-driven research projects, but to support structured education, mentoring, and navigation activities that help trainees and early career researchers from diverse backgrounds move more successfully along the cancer research career pathway. A key emphasis is supporting individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, consistent with NIH guidance on diversity (NOT-OD-20-031).

A defining feature of TEAM is the pilot testing of "training champions" (TCs) embedded at minority serving institutions (MSIs). These TCs are intended to act as on-the-ground guides who help scholars plan and execute the steps needed to apply for, obtain, and transition toward independent NIH or NCI funding. In practice, that means helping participants identify appropriate funding opportunities, connect and communicate effectively with NCI/NIH program staff, and access resources that strengthen the competitiveness of grant applications. Beyond basic advising, TCs are also expected to provide ongoing navigation and skill-building support so scholars can better identify research directions, prepare strong proposals, submit effectively, and improve their odds of securing career development and research awards.

The program targets multiple career stages where support can have an outsized impact on persistence and advancement in cancer research: predoctoral trainees, postdoctoral fellows, and early-stage investigators (ESIs). TEAM-funded activities are expected to enhance preparation and productivity (for example, grant writing readiness, strategic career planning, and professional networking) and help participants progress toward greater independence. The funding opportunity specifically calls for creative educational programming, with primary allowable activity types centered on courses for skills development and structured mentoring activities. Put simply, the expectation is that awardees will build or strengthen practical training curricula and mentoring systems that directly address common barriers to advancement and grant success.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes many categories of academic and non-academic entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also highlights and encourages participation from institutions and organizations that commonly serve underrepresented communities, including Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with certain tribal governments and community- or faith-based organizations. At the same time, it clearly restricts foreign involvement: non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components are not allowed under NIH policy for this opportunity.

Administratively, this opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a discretionary grant in the education/health activity category, with CFDA number 93.398. The funding opportunity is titled Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring Network (TEAM) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) and is identified as RFA-CA-23-013. The original closing date listed for applications was February 10, 2023, and the posting date in the provided record is November 8, 2022.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring Network (TEAM) (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): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-11-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA CA 23 013

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