Atom | Limited Competition: Mentored Research Career Development Program Award in Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)

Funder: National Institutes of Health

Funding Amounts: Up to $700,000–$1,500,000 direct costs per year (by hub tier); up to $120,000/year salary + $10,000–$30,000 research support per scholar; project period up to 5 years.

Summary: Supports institutional programs to prepare diverse postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty for independent clinical and translational science research careers through mentored career development.

Key Information: Limited to institutions with an active or concurrent CTSA UM1 application; only one K12 application per institution; clinical trial participation is optional.

Description

This funding opportunity, offered by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at NIH, supports institutional K12 programs designed to develop the next generation of independent clinical and translational science researchers. The program targets later-stage postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty who are committed to research careers in clinical and translational science, providing them with intensive, mentored career development experiences.

The K12 program is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) suite and must be submitted as a companion to a CTSA UM1 application. The program aims to foster a diverse, highly skilled workforce capable of advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical interventions, and public health improvements. Scholars receive protected time, mentorship, and resources to transition to research independence and leadership roles across sectors including academia, industry, nonprofit, and government.

Due Dates

May 28, 2025
September 29, 2025
January 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
September 28, 2026
January 28, 2027
May 28, 2027
September 28, 2027

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. No letter of intent is required.

Funding Amount

Annual Direct Costs: Up to $700,000 (Tier G), $900,000 (Tier T), $1,000,000 (Tier C), or $1,500,000 (Tier A) per year, matching the companion UM1 application’s tier.
Scholar Support: Up to $120,000/year salary per scholar (exclusive of fringe), plus $10,000–$30,000/year for research and career development expenses. Total per scholar not to exceed $180,000/year direct costs.
Project Duration: Up to 5 years.
Indirect Costs: 8% of modified total direct costs.

Eligibility

Eligible Institutions: Only public and state-controlled institutions of higher education in the U.S. that are applicants or active awardees of a CTSA UM1 (PAR-24-272 or PAR-21-293) are eligible.
Applicant Restrictions: Only the primary CTSA hub institution may apply; one K12 application per institution.
Scholars: Must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents; hold a research or health-professional doctoral degree; be later-stage postdocs or junior faculty (not already independently funded); and have a full-time appointment at the applicant or partnering institution.
Mentors: Each scholar must have at least two mentors, including at least one with a clinical background.

Application Process

Companion Submission: The K12 application must be submitted concurrently with the required CTSA UM1 application or while the UM1 is under review or active.
Submission Platforms: Applications must be submitted electronically via NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
Required Attachments: Include plans for an external advisory committee, scholar selection, mentor/scholar assessment, sustainability, data collection/storage, dissemination, and coordination with the UM1.
Application Guide: Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and program-specific instructions in the NOFO.
Review Criteria: Emphasize program design, mentoring, scholar selection, career development activities, and institutional commitment.

Additional Information

Clinical Trials: Scholars may propose to lead, participate in, or gain experience in clinical trials as part of their career development.
Protected Time: Scholars must devote at least 75% full-time professional effort (50% for surgical specialties with justification).
Program Structure: Programs must provide individualized, mentored research and career development, leadership training, and support for transition to independence.
Tracking: Funded programs are expected to track scholar outcomes for at least 15 years post-participation.
Limited Submission: Only one K12 application per institution; non-domestic institutions are not eligible.

External Links

Contact Information

Topic	Contact Name / Office	Email / Phone
Scientific/Research	Irina Krasnova, Ph.D. (NCATS)	CTSATrainingNOFOsQuestions@mail.nih.gov / 301-435-1737
Peer Review	Victor Henriquez (NCATS)	CTSATrainingNOFOsQuestions@mail.nih.gov / 301-435-0813
Grants Management	Zulema Eldridge (NCATS)	CTSATrainingNOFOsQuestions@mail.nih.gov / 301-443-3066
General Grants Info	NIH Grants Information	GrantsInfo@nih.gov / 301-480-7075
eRA Commons/ASSIST	eRA Service Desk	https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help / 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552
Grants.gov Support	Grants.gov Customer Support	support@grants.gov / 800-518-4726