PAR-24-211
NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Clinical Trial Required)
Summary
NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows (K22 Clinical Trial Required)
Research Focus
This K22 Career Transition Award supports postdoctoral fellows and doctoral-level researchers in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research who are transitioning to independent careers at extramural institutions. The program targets cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and endocrine research—including hematopoietic stem cell biology, lung transplant rejection, lipoprotein dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, myocardial hypertrophy, vascular disease pathophysiology, cardiac imaging, and cardiovascular epidemiology and genetics. Applicants must propose to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, clinical trial feasibility study, or ancillary clinical trial as part of their research and career development plan. The award funds a two-phase program: up to two years of mentored intramural research at NHLBI, followed by three years of independent extramural research, enabling awardees to establish a record of independent research and transition to sustainable careers in the extramural biomedical research community.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Postdoctoral fellows and doctoral-level researchers currently supported by an NHLBI intramural laboratory or branch; must propose to lead an independent clinical trial or trial feasibility study.
- Funding & project length: Up to $249,000 per year (extramural phase, max $747,000 for three years); five years total (two intramural + three extramural).
- Award mechanism: K22 Career Transition Award (grant).
- Key dates: Applications due October 12, 2024 (earliest); subsequent deadlines through June 2027; scientific merit review March–November 2025 onward; earliest start July 2025.
- Best fit for: Early-career cardiac, pulmonary, hematologic, or endocrine researchers with clinical trial leadership experience or plans; requires extramural institution commitment (startup package, protected time, space, supplemental funds).
Key Facts
Deadline
Mon, July 12, 2027
Posted
Mon, July 15, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$249,000
Max Total
$747,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (6)
This K22 is specifically for applicants proposing to serve as LEAD INVESTIGATOR of an independent clinical trial, clinical trial feasibility study, or separate ancillary study. Applicants not proposin
95%
Source Text
“This Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) is designed specifically for applicants 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. Applicants not proposing to serve as lead investigator of an independent clinical trial must apply to the companion NOFO, PAR-24-209.”
Applicants must be currently supported by their NHLBI laboratory or branch for the intramural phase. This is an explicit eligibility requirement that limits who can apply.
95%
Source Text
“Eligible applicants must be supported by their NHLBI laboratory or branch for the intramural phase of the program.”
Transition from intramural phase (2 years) to extramural phase (3 years) is NOT automatic and requires NHLBI progress review and approval; failure to meet performance expectations could result in loss
98%
Source Text
“Transition from the intramural phase of support to the extramural phase is not automatic. Approval of the transition will be based on the success of the awardees research program during the mentored phase as determined by an NHLBI progress review, which will include an evaluation of a research plan to be carried out at the extramural institution.”
If awardee obtains an NIH tenure-track position during the award period, phase 2 of the K22 will NOT be activated/funded
98%
Source Text
“However, the NHLBI K22 awardees are not precluded from applying for available tenure track positions at the NIH. If an awardee obtains an NIH position, phase 2 of the K22 award will not be activated.”
Extramural institution must provide a startup package with protected research time, space, and supplemental funds (including salary) sufficient to perform the research; this is a requirement for phase
92%
Source Text
“The extramural institution will need to demonstrate a commitment to the candidate by providing protected research time, space, and supplemental funds, including salary, in the form of a startup package. These funds should be sufficient to perform the proposed research but also facilitate the development of an independent research program.”
Extramural phase budget cap is $249,000 per year (max $747,000 for three years); this is a strict ceiling for total costs
98%
Source Text
“The total cost for the extramural phase may not exceed $249,000 per year and $747,000 for the three-year period.”