Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) -- includes Education

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation including education. REU Sites must have a well-defined common focus that enables a cohort experience for students. These projects may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme.

Amount: Varies

Due: October 22, 2009

REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. A partnership with the Department of Defense supports REU Sites in DoD-relevant research areas.

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Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)

The following NIH AREA grant program is aimed specfically at institutions such as WOU that do not typically receive NIH funding. AREA grant (R15) applications to support new biomedical, behavioral or clinical research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible colleges, universities, schools, and components of domestic institutions. It is anticipated that investigators supported under the AREA program will benefit from the opportunity to conduct independent research; that the grantee institution will benefit from a research environment strengthened through AREA grants and sustained by participation in the numerous and diverse extramural programs of the NIH; and that students will benefit from exposure to and participation in scientific research in the biomedical, behavioral and clinical sciences.

Amount: $300,000 for up to 3 years

Due: September 24, 2009

At institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH support, AREA grants may support, new or renewal, meritorious projects in biomedical, behavioral research or clinical research, including:

• pilot research projects and feasibility studies
• development, testing, and refinement of research techniques
• secondary analysis of available data sets
• similar discrete research projects that demonstrate research capability

For more information, click here.

Role of Human-Animal Interaction in Child Health & Development

The purpose of this grant is to build an empirical research base on how children perceive, relate to and think about animals; how pets in the home impact children's social and emotional development and health (e.g. allergies, the immune system, asthma, mitigation of obesity); and whether and under what conditions therapeutic uses of animals is safe and effective.

Amount: $50,000 (R03 -- Small Research Grant Awards); $500,000 (R01 -- Large Grant Awards)

Due: November 19, 2009

Projects should be theoretically based and seek to answer questions that address key developmental, health and safety issues regarding the interactions of children and youth with animals in the home or therapeutic settings. Research to identify biobehavioral markers also is encouraged. Such work could not only inform the field about traits that make particular animals more suitable for interaction with individuals in certain settings, but could also be useful in identifying animal models of gene-behavior associations in humans. Physiologic measures (e.g. neuroendocrines, genetic, heart rate, neuroimaging), as well as direct or observational measures of behavioral, cognitive, psychosocial, and/or psychoeducational outcomes are encouraged.

For more information on the R03 competition, click here. For more information on the R01 competition, click here.

Small Grant Program for Conference Support (NIH)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), announces its continued interest in supporting conferences through its Small Grant Program for Conference Support. AHRQ seeks to support conferences that help to further its mission to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. The types of conferences eligible for support include:

1. Research development - conferences where issues or challenges in the delivery of health services are defined and a research agenda or strategy for studying them is developed;
2. Design and methodology - conferences where methodological and technical issues of major importance in the field of health services research are addressed or new designs and methodologies are developed;
3. Dissemination conferences - where research findings are summarized and communicated broadly to organizations and individuals that have the capability to use the information to improve the outcomes, quality, access to, and cost and utilization of health care services; and/or,
4. Research Training, Infrastructure and Career Development-conferences where research faculty and students are brought together with users of research to develop, share and disseminate research products, experiences, curricula, syllabi, approaches or core competencies required to train individuals from multi- and interdisciplinary backgrounds or prepare developing or emerging research institutions to conduct and translate research related to fostering improvements in health care delivery in the US.

Amount: $50,000

Due: October 20, 2009

AHRQ is especially interested in supporting conferences that demonstrate strategies which include plans for disseminating conference materials and products beyond the participants attending the event. Such strategies might include, but are not limited to, submitting articles for publication, posting information on a Web site, and seeking formal opportunities to discuss conference information with others.

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Youth Empowerment Program

The Office of Minority Health announces funding for the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) to address unhealthy behaviors in at-risk minority youth and provide them opportunities to learn more positive life styles and enhance their capacity to make healthier life choices. The YEP is designed to test innovative approaches to promoting healthy behaviors.

Amount: $300,000/year for 3 years

Due: September 1, 2009

Proposals must result in the following outcomes: (1) reduction in or elimination of high risk behaivors; (2) strengthening of protective/resiliency factors; (3) development of sustainable basic life skills needed to deal with the demands of everyday life; and (4) development of skills and behaviors that lead to healthier lifestyle choices.

For more information, click here.