International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) K01 — Briefing

STATUS: EXPIRED (March 10, 2026). Limited case-by-case acceptance may apply under NIH continuous submission policies; contact eRA Service Desk.

Research Focus & Contribution

This award supports advanced postdoctoral researchers and junior faculty (≥2 years post-doctorate) from the U.S. to conduct mentored global health research careers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as defined by World Bank classification. The program targets researchers in any health-related discipline proposing research aligned with LMIC health priorities. Awardees develop independent research capacity through intensive mentorship, collaborative research skills in low-resource settings, advanced methodology and data management, and grant-writing competencies—with the goal of launching competitive careers for R01-level funding in global health. This specific NOFO requires applicants to serve as lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, clinical trial feasibility study, or ancillary clinical trial (applicants not planning independent clinical trials should apply to companion PAR-24-113).

Participating NIH components include the Fogarty International Center (FIC; any health priority), National Cancer Institute (NCI; cancer biology, epidemiology, prevention, clinical/translational research, implementation science, health systems research, cancer informatics, survivorship, mHealth/eHealth), and National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD; otitis media, hearing loss, early detection/intervention, chemosensory loss, dissemination/implementation research, cultural/linguistic adaptations).

At-a-Glance

• Who can apply: U.S. postdoctoral research scientists and recently-appointed junior faculty (≥2 years post-doctorate); must commit to ≥50% cumulative effort in-country and ≥3 months per year physically in LMIC.
• Funding & project length: 3–5 years of protected time; specific budget amounts not stated.
• Award mechanism: K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award.
• Key dates: Application due dates on March 08, 2024; March 10, 2025; March 09, 2026 (rolling cycles); earliest start dates July–December of same year. Award expired March 10, 2026.
• Best fit for: Clinician-scientists and postdocs in oncology, infectious disease, otolaryngology, or global health implementation research planning independent clinical trials in resource-limited settings.