PA-24-186
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Summary
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Research Focus
This award supports early-career clinician-scientists developing independence in patient-oriented research—studies involving direct interaction with human subjects or human-derived materials (tissues, specimens, cognitive phenomena) to understand disease mechanisms, test therapeutic interventions, conduct clinical trials, or develop biomedical technologies. This specific Parent Announcement targets basic experimental studies with humans, defined as prospective studies that experimentally manipulate independent variables and assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes to understand fundamental phenomena. The K23 aims to build a cadre of clinical researchers who can translate biomedical discoveries into clinical settings and conduct rigorous human-subjects research across aging, substance abuse, child health, communication disorders, neurological conditions, mental health, environmental health, nursing science, and complementary medicine.
At a Glance
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Who can apply: Individuals with a clinical doctoral degree committed to patient-oriented research; must propose an independent basic experimental study with humans (prospective assignment to conditions, human outcome assessment). Consult participating IC-specific requirements before applying.
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Funding & project length: 3–5 years of protected time; salary and research support (specific amounts not stated in overview).
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Award mechanism: K23 Mentored Career Development Award
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Key dates: Applications due June 12, 2024 (and rolling quarterly thereafter through June 12, 2026); earliest start April 2025 for June 2024 submissions; program expires May 8, 2027.
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Best fit for: Clinician-researchers (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) in NIH-mission-aligned fields planning human-subjects research with experimental design; requires mentorship and institutional commitment.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, May 7, 2027
Posted
Tue, April 9, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$90,000
Max Total
$450,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
This K23 award REQUIRES independent basic experimental studies with humans—applicants proposing to gain research experience in a study led by another investigator must apply to a different companion N
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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”
Applicants must carefully verify their IC's participation in this specific NOFO (PA-24-186) as not all NIH ICs participate, and must consult the Table of IC-Specific Information before submitting
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Source Text
“Not all NIH Institutes and Centers participate in Parent Announcements. Candidates should carefully note which ICs participate in this announcement and view their respective areas of research interest and requirements at the Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements and Staff Contacts website. ICs that do not participate in this announcement will not consider applications for funding. Consultation with NIH staff before submitting an application is strongly encouraged.”
Patient-Oriented Research definition explicitly excludes in vitro studies using human tissues that do not deal directly with patients - studies where patient identity is not necessary do not qualify
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Source Text
“For the purposes of the K23 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 utilize”
NIDCR withdrew participation in this specific NOFO (PA-24-186) as of June 6, 2024—applicants should not assume NIDCR will fund applications under this announcement.
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Source Text
“June 6, 2024 - Notice of NIDCR Withdrawal of Participation from Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, PA-24-186 (Parent K23 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) and PA-24-184 (Parent K23-Independent Clinical Trial Required). See Notice NOT-DE-24-023”