Career Transition Award for NINDS Intramural Clinician-Scientists (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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Description

This opportunity provides a two-phase NIH Career Transition Award (K22) specifically for NINDS intramural neurologist- and neurosurgeon-scientists. The program is designed to facilitate the transition from an NIH intramural appointment to an independent, research-active faculty position at an extramural U.S. institution. The award supports both career development and research activities, with the goal of enabling clinician-scientists to establish independent, externally funded research programs while maintaining clinical engagement. The K22 under this announcement does not allow the applicant to lead an independent clinical trial, but participation in a clinical trial led by a mentor is permitted.

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Due Dates

• Standard NIH due dates apply:
  • New Applications: June 12, 2025 | October 12, 2025 | February 12, 2026 | June 12, 2026 | October 12, 2026 | February 12, 2027 | June 12, 2027 | October 12, 2027
  • Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: July 12, 2025 | November 12, 2025 | March 12, 2026 | July 12, 2026 | November 12, 2026 | March 12, 2027 | July 12, 2027 | November 12, 2027
• All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
• Expiration date: November 13, 2027

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Funding Amount

• Project Period: Up to 5 years (up to 2 years intramural at NIH, at least 3 years extramural at a U.S. institution)
• Salary Support:
  • Intramural phase: Salary per NIH intramural standards
  • Extramural phase: Up to $125,000/year toward recipient’s salary (subject to NIH salary cap)
• Research/Development Support:
  • Intramural phase: $25,000/year
  • Extramural phase: $50,000/year
• Indirect Costs: 8% of modified total direct costs (MTDC)
• Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and meritorious applications

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Eligibility

• Who May Apply:
  • Only NINDS intramural neurologists or neurosurgeons within 4 years of completing residency or clinical fellowship at the time of initial application (5 years for resubmissions)
  • Must be clinically licensed and in the NINDS intramural program at the time of application
  • U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents only
  • Must not have held or currently hold an NIH individual career development award (K series), Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), or be/have been a PD/PI on an NIH research grant (R01, R03, R21, P01, P50, or equivalent)
• Institutional Eligibility:
  • Only NINDS may apply for the initial (intramural) phase
  • For the extramural phase, U.S. academic institutions (public or private), for-profit or non-profit, with appropriate research infrastructure and faculty positions
  • Foreign institutions and non-U.S. components are not eligible
• Effort Requirements:
  • Neurologists: Minimum 75% full-time professional effort (9 person-months) to research/career development
  • Neurosurgeons: Minimum 50% full-time professional effort (6 person-months)
• Mentorship: Must have a primary NINDS mentor; co-mentors (including at the extramural institution) are strongly encouraged

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Application Process

• Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or institutional S2S systems.
• Required Registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and ORCID (for PD/PI)
• Application Components:
  • SF424 (R&R) forms
  • PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form (including candidate background, career goals, research plan, mentor statements, institutional commitment)
  • Letters of reference (submitted separately via eRA Commons)
  • Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Human Subjects/Vertebrate Animals sections (if applicable)
• Review Criteria: Scientific merit, candidate’s potential, quality of career development and research plans, mentorship, institutional environment, and commitment
• Transition to Extramural Phase: Requires securing a qualifying faculty position and NINDS approval; must submit an NIH R01, DP1, or R21 application by the end of year 4 to receive the 5th year of K22 funding

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Additional Information

• Clinical Trials: This NOFO does not allow applicants to lead an independent clinical trial. Participation in a clinical trial led by a mentor is permitted. Those wishing to lead a clinical trial should apply to the companion NOFO PAR-25-216.
• Diversity K22: Applicants to diversity-related K22s must provide a statement on their contribution to program diversity goals.
• Data Sharing: All applicants must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan.
• Reference Letters: Required and must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Transition Requirements: To transition to the extramural phase, recipients must secure a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position with sufficient protected research time and institutional support.

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External Links

• Full Funding Opportunity Announcement (PAR-25-215)
• NINDS K22 Program Overview
• NIH Career Development (K) Application Guide (Forms-H)
• Apply via Grants.gov
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
• NIH Salary Cap Information
• NIH eRA Commons Registration
• NIH Standard Due Dates

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Contact Information

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