PA-24-189
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Summary
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)
Research Focus
The K24 award supports mid-career clinician-scientists conducting patient-oriented research (POR)—research involving direct investigator interaction with human subjects or human-derived materials (tissues, specimens, cognitive phenomena) to understand disease mechanisms, develop therapeutic interventions, conduct clinical trials, or create new biomedical technologies. This Parent Announcement specifically targets prospective basic science studies involving human participants where researchers experimentally manipulate independent variables and assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes to understand fundamental phenomena. The award enables recipients to devote protected time to POR while mentoring junior clinical investigators (such as K23 grantees and clinical residents) in research conduct, strengthening the pipeline of trained clinical researchers across disciplines including aging, substance abuse, communication disorders, mental health, nursing, environmental health, and complementary medicine.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Mid-career health-professional doctorates (typically Associate Professor level or equivalent) with independent, peer-reviewed research support; must lead an independent basic experimental study with human participants.
- Funding & project length: Not stated; see IC-specific information.
- Award mechanism: K24 Career Development Award (mentored + independent research support required).
- Key dates: Application due dates on June 12, 2024 (and subsequent cycles through June 12, 2026); earliest start dates April 2025 onward; expires May 8, 2027.
- Best fit for: Clinician-scientists in NIH-participating institutes (NIA, NIAAA, NIDCD, NIDA, NIEHS, NIMH, NINR, NCCIH) with established independent POR programs seeking protected time and mentoring capacity.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, May 7, 2027
Posted
Thu, April 25, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$100,000
Max Total
$500,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
This K24 is specifically for 'Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required' — applicants must propose to lead their own prospective basic science experimental study with human participa
95%
Source Text
“This Parent Announcement is for basic science experimental studies involving humans, referred to in NOT-OD-18-212 as 'prospective basic science studies involving human participants.' These studies fall within the NIH definition of a clinical trial and also meet the definition of basic research. Types of studies that should be submitted under this NOFO include studies that prospectively assign human participants to conditions (i.e., experimentally manipulate independent variables) and that assess”
A September 2024 Notice of Correction (NOT-OD-24-168) modified the Eligible Individuals section for this K24 — applicants must consult that notice as the FOA text provided may not reflect the current
98%
Source Text
“September 4, 2024 - Notice of Correction to the Eligible Individuals (PD/PI) Section for the NIHs Parent Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23s) and the Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24s). See Notice NOT-OD-24-168.”
Patient-Oriented Research (POR) is narrowly defined and excludes in vitro studies using human tissues without direct patient interaction, and studies under Exemption 4 for human subjects research. Pro
92%
Source Text
“For the purposes of the K24 award, Patient-Oriented Research is defined as research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. This area of research includes: (1) mechanisms of human disease; (2) therapeutic interventions; (3) clinical trials, and; (4) the development of new technologies. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that ut”
The announcement was updated March 31, 2025 'to align with agency priorities' with instruction to 'carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments' — the nature of these
85%
Source Text
“March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission.”