PA-24-193
NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Summary
NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 – Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Research Focus & Contribution
This award supports postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent, tenure-track faculty positions while leading their own clinical trials. The program targets physician-scientists and researchers with research/clinical doctorates (MD, DO, DDS/DMD, DVM/VMD, or research doctoral degrees for nurses) who are ready to establish competitive, independent research careers. Applicants must propose to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to an existing trial. The clinical trial definition encompasses prospective assignment of human subjects to interventions (including placebo or control) to evaluate health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes. Supported trials include safety and efficacy studies, mechanistic exploratory studies in healthy or diseased populations, and biomarker studies examining physiological function, target engagement, or treatment response. The award aims to generate evidence that will help awardees launch robust, independent research programs competitive for subsequent NIH funding.
At a Glance
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Who can apply: Postdoctoral researchers with no more than 4 years of postdoctoral experience; must be in mentored positions at time of application; physician-scientists with MD, DO, DDS/DMD, DVM/VMD, or research doctorates (nurses) who devote majority time to biomedical research.
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Funding & project length: Up to 5 years total: K99 phase (up to 2 years mentored support) + R00 phase (up to 3 years independent support, contingent on faculty position).
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Award mechanism: K99/R00 Career Transition Award/Research Transition Award across 16 NIH Institutes and Centers (NHLBI, NHGRI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAMS, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCD, NIDDK, NIDA, NIEHS, NIMH, NINDS, NINR, NIMHD, NLM, NCCIH).
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Key dates: Application due dates on June 12, 2024 and subsequent standard NIH cycles through February 12, 2027; earliest start date April 2025 onward; expires May 8, 2027.
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Best fit for: Clinician-scientists and physician-scientists planning independent clinical trials in cardiovascular, genomic, aging, neurological, metabolic, mental health, or other disease-focused research; requires compelling 1–2 year mentored research plan before faculty transition.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, May 7, 2027
Posted
Wed, April 24, 2024
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
NCI discontinued participation in PA-24-193 as of January 15, 2025. Applicants whose home IC is NCI cannot apply to this NOFO and must identify an alternative mechanism.
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Source Text
“January 15, 2025 - Notice of the Discontinuation of NCI's Participation in PA-24-193, PA-24-194 & PA-24-195 NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00). See Notice NOT-CA-25-021.”
This K99/R00 award REQUIRES an independent clinical trial as the lead investigator—not optional. Applicants planning observational studies, non-clinical research, or clinical trials led by another inv
95%
Source Text
“This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary study to an existing trial, as part of their research and career development. Candidates not planning an independent clinical trial, or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, must apply to companion NOFO (PA-24-194).”
Candidates must have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of initial or resubmission application. This is a strict eligibility gate that is easy to miscalculate if post
98%
Source Text
“Candidates must have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the initial or the subsequent resubmission or revision application.”
R00 awards are contingent on satisfactory K99 progress AND acceptance of an independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position by the end of the K99 period. Exceptions are noted as 'limited,' c
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Source Text
“The second (R00) phase will provide up to 3 years of independent research support, which is contingent on satisfactory progress during the K99 phase and an approved, independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position. The two award phases are intended to be continuous in time. Therefore, although exceptions may be possible in limited circumstances, R00 awards will generally only be made to those K99 PDs/PIs who accept independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions by the end”