Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: November 12, 2026 (Renewal/resubmission/revision) | February 12, 2027 (New) | March 12, 2027 (Renewal/resubmission/revision) | May 7, 2027 (Closing date)
Funding Amounts: Salary and fringe benefits for 3–5 years, with IC-specific support levels; indirect costs at 8% of modified total direct costs
Summary: Supports newly independent scientists with protected research time to advance their research careers and contributions to their fields.
Key Information: Candidates must commit at least 75% effort and cannot lead an independent clinical trial under this opportunity.
Description
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) provides salary support and protected time for newly independent scientists who need an intensive research focus to enhance their careers. Each award must be tailored to the candidate’s individual needs, combining research and career development activities that expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field.
Participating institutes are the National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Research must fit a participating institute’s mission and requirements. The Office of Research on Women’s Health and Office of Data Science Strategy may co-fund applications. Research experience within another investigator’s clinical trial is permitted, but leading an independent trial, feasibility study, or ancillary clinical trial is not.
