Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 16, 2025 | October 14, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | June 15, 2026 | October 14, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000/year (K99 phase, salary) + $30,000/year (research costs); up to $249,000/year (R00 phase, total costs); max 5 years (2 years K99, 3 years R00)
Summary: Supports early-stage postdocs in cancer research to transition rapidly to independent, tenure-track faculty positions; clinical trial leadership not allowed.
Key Information: Each institution may nominate only one candidate per scientific area per cycle; strict 2-year postdoc eligibility window; no independent clinical trials permitted.
Description
This program, administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is designed to help early-stage postdoctoral researchers in cancer-related fields transition quickly to independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The award provides up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral support (K99 phase) followed by up to 3 years of independent research support (R00 phase) upon securing a qualifying faculty position. The program is specifically for candidates who do not require extended mentored training and are ready to launch independent research careers in areas such as cancer control, prevention, and data sciences.
Note: This opportunity does not allow applicants to lead independent clinical trials. However, candidates may propose research experiences within clinical trials led by their mentor or co-mentor.
Due Dates
- June 16, 2025
- October 14, 2025
- February 17, 2026
- June 15, 2026
- October 14, 2026
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Applications are accepted for new, renewal, resubmission, and revision (as allowed).
Funding Amount
-
K99 Phase (mentored, up to 2 years):
- Up to $100,000/year for salary
- Up to $30,000/year for research development costs (e.g., supplies, tuition, travel)
- Indirect costs: 8% of modified total direct costs
-
R00 Phase (independent, up to 3 years):
- Up to $249,000/year (total costs, including salary, fringe, research costs, and indirects)
- Indirect costs: at the institution’s negotiated rate
-
Total project period: Up to 5 years (2 years K99 + 3 years R00)
Eligibility
- Career Stage: Early-stage postdoctoral researchers with no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application.
- Degree: Must hold a clinical or research doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, DDS, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent).
- Position: Must be in a mentored, postdoctoral training position at the time of application and award.
- Citizenship: No U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirement; non-U.S. citizens must have appropriate visa status for the duration of the award.
- Institutional Nomination: Each institution may nominate only one candidate per scientific area (Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, Other Cancer Research) per application cycle.
- Ineligible if:
- You have held or currently hold an independent research faculty or tenure-track position.
- You have more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application.
- You have been a PD/PI on NIH research grants (e.g., R01, R03, R21), career development awards (e.g., K01, K08), or equivalent non-NIH grants >$100,000 direct costs/year.
Note: Candidates proposing to lead an independent clinical trial must apply to companion NOFOs (PAR-23-287 or PAR-23-288).
Application Process
- Application Guide: Follow the NIH Career Development (K) Application Guide and the specific instructions in the funding announcement.
- Institutional Nomination Letter: Required; must be signed by the head of the postdoctoral department/program, affirming the candidate’s eligibility and sole nomination in the chosen scientific area.
- Reference Letters: Required; must be submitted directly through eRA Commons.
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST.
- Budget: Provide detailed budget for the K99 phase; R00 phase requires only a total amount per year at application, with a detailed budget submitted at the time of R00 transition.
- Data Management and Sharing Plan: Required for all applications.
- Review: Applications are peer-reviewed for scientific merit and alignment with program goals.
Additional Information
- Limited Submission: Each institution may submit up to four applications per cycle (one per scientific area).
- Transition to R00: Awardees must secure an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position to activate the R00 phase. The transition should be continuous; exceptions are rare.
- Mentoring: A strong, well-documented mentoring plan is required. The mentor must have a track record of successful training and sufficient research support.
- Effort: Minimum 75% full-time professional effort (9 person-months) required during both K99 and R00 phases.
- Scientific Areas: Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research (see NOFO for definitions).
- No cost sharing or matching required.
- Pre-application webinars and FAQs are available via the NCI Early K99 Award page.
External Links
Contact Information