Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 277

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 277

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to strengthen the biomedical research workforce by helping early-career scientists from diverse backgrounds move successfully into independent faculty roles. It uses the NIH Research Education Program mechanism (UE5), which is intended to support structured education and career-development activities aligned with NIH mission areas. The central purpose of this MOSAIC UE5 program is to expand and sustain diversity in biomedical and behavioral research by providing targeted training and mentoring that improves career readiness, persistence, and advancement.

This opportunity emphasizes two main activity types: courses for skills development and mentoring activities. In practice, that means applicants are expected to build well-designed, high-impact programming that teaches practical skills needed to transition from mentored research positions into independent academic careers, particularly at research-intensive institutions. While the announcement text does not list specific course topics, the focus implies programming that strengthens professional competencies commonly required for faculty success, such as scientific communication, networking, leadership, grantsmanship, lab and team management, responsible research practices, and broader career navigation skills. Alongside coursework, the FOA highlights mentoring as a core component, signaling that funded programs should offer structured mentorship models and intentional guidance that supports participants as they pursue faculty positions and establish independent research programs.

The intended beneficiaries are MOSAIC K99/R00 awardees, who are on a career path that typically involves transitioning from a mentored phase to an independent phase. The UE5 program is meant to complement that pathway by surrounding these grantees with additional professional development and mentoring infrastructure so they can transition into independence, succeed once they arrive in faculty roles, and continue advancing over time. In other words, the grant is not primarily about funding research projects; it is about funding the educational and mentoring systems that help promising scientists build sustainable independent careers.

Applications are particularly encouraged from organizations of biomedical researchers, such as scientific societies, that can function as a central hub for professional development. The NIH is looking for applicants with a membership base of scientists conducting NIH-mission-aligned research, proven experience enhancing scientific communication and networking across the community, and a track record of offering professional development and networking opportunities for the next generation of researchers. A demonstrated commitment to improving diversity in the biomedical research workforce is a key expectation, meaning applicants should be positioned to recruit, support, and retain participants in ways that meaningfully address longstanding barriers to representation and advancement.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by NIH as a cooperative agreement, meaning NIH is likely to have substantial involvement in program oversight and coordination compared to a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is PAR-21-277, and it falls under the education and health activity category. It is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which indicates that the supported activities must remain within research education and career-development scope rather than clinical trial execution. Multiple CFDA program numbers are associated with this opportunity (93.121, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.313, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.855, 93.859, 93.879), reflecting that NIH Institutes and Centers across several mission areas may participate.

Eligibility is restricted. The listing identifies eligible applicants as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and the description further stresses that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Put simply, the program must be proposed and carried out without foreign institutional applicants or foreign components, and prospective applicants are expected to consult the official funding announcement for the full set of eligibility and compliance details. The opportunity was created on 2021-08-17, and the original closing date shown is 2023-11-15.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 - 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): 93.121, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.313, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.855, 93.859, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAR 21 277

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