NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required)
The NCI Pathway to Independence Award supports postdocs transitioning to independent research careers with NCI funding.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 17, 2025 | October 15, 2025 | February 13, 2026 (new) | March 13, 2026 (renewal/resubmission) | June 15, 2026 | October 14, 2026 | February 17, 2027 | June 15, 2027 | October 14, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000/year (K99 phase salary) + $30,000/year (research costs); R00 phase up to $249,000/year (total costs); max 5 years (2 K99 + 3 R00)
Summary: Supports postdoctoral researchers in transitioning from mentored positions to independent, tenure-track faculty roles with NCI research funding, requiring an independent clinical trial.
Key Information: Only for applicants proposing to lead an independent clinical trial; not for those seeking experience in a trial led by another investigator.
Description
This opportunity, administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH, is designed to facilitate the transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers to independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The award provides up to five years of support in two phases: an initial mentored (K99) phase and a subsequent independent (R00) phase. This specific funding opportunity requires applicants to propose and lead an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to an existing trial as part of their research and career development.
The program aims to help awardees launch competitive, independent research careers in areas relevant to the NCI mission, including cancer biology, prevention, treatment, diagnosis, survivorship, and outcomes research.
