Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Research Education Program – $400,000 – Due Sep 28, 2022

Sponsored by United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and National Cancer Institute

Eligibility:            Public, Private, Charter, Other (including homeschool, 501 (c)(3) organizations)

Award(s):           Grants up to $400,000 are awarded in the first year, with potential for five years of funding.

Deadline(s):       Letters of Intent are requested prior to the application deadline. Applications are due October 28, 2021; September 28, 2022; and September 28, 2023.

Focus:   Academic/Early Career Research, Assessment, Equity and Diversity, Native/Tribal American, Professional Development, Technology Equipment/Devices, Underserved Populations/At Risk, Wellness

Grade Level(s):  6-8, 9-12, Higher Ed

Content Area(s):             Science

State(s):              National

Description:       The Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Program supports creative educational initiatives and early academic intervention strategies that actively engage and inspire middle school, high school, and undergraduate college students from diverse backgrounds to pursue education and career pathways in cancer research. Targeted participants are those underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and disproportionately impacted by cancer health disparities including African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Proposals must address the following priorities:

• Cancer research experiences for students, teachers, and faculty members that provide mentoring, peer networking, and skill building.

• Curriculum or methods development that produce novel instructional approaches to improve science teaching or educational tools for students.

• Outreach programs in grades 6 to 8 that expose students to various aspects of cancer research.

• Outreach programs in grades 6 to 12 that engage and educate families and communities on the importance of science education.

• Evaluation of program impacts using benchmarks posted in the program solicitation.

• Student participant tracking for at least 15 years is strongly encouraged.

Eligible applicants are US public and private institutions of higher education. Applications are encouraged from Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. Other eligible applicants are independent school districts; nonprofit organizations; faith-based, community-based, and regional organizations; public housing and Indian housing authorities; small businesses and for-profit organizations; local, special district, state, tribal, and federal government entities, including US territories and possessions; and Native American tribal governments and organizations. Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women, are encouraged to participate as program faculty, mentors, and preceptors. Collaboration with other YES Programs is encouraged. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required. Optional Letters of Intent must be submitted by email. Applications must be submitted online.

Contact:              Alison Lin, PhD, Scientific Research Contact

Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities

National Cancer Institute

9609 Medical Center Dr.

Bethesda, MD 20892

Phone: 240.276.6177

Email: linaj@mail.nih.gov (For information and to submit Letters of Intent)

Website:             https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-21-020.html