Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Prepare individuals with clinical doctoral degrees for impactful health-related research careers through NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Awards (K08) with required independent clinical trials.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: February 12, 2026 (Full application - New) | March 12, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | May 7, 2026 (AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | June 12, 2026 (Full application - New) | July 12, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
Funding Amounts: Salary support and research expenses for up to 5 years; amount varies by NIH Institute/Center; no cost sharing required.
Summary: Supports intensive, mentored research career development for clinical doctoral degree holders proposing independent clinical trials in biomedical or behavioral research.
Key Information: Only applications proposing independent clinical trials are accepted; consultation with NIH IC-specific contacts is strongly encouraged.
Description
This NIH program provides Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Awards (K08) to prepare qualified individuals for impactful careers in health-related research. The K08 supports early-career clinical doctoral scientists by providing protected time (3–5 years) for intensive, mentored research and career development in biomedical, behavioral, or translational research. This specific opportunity is for applicants proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, feasibility study, or ancillary clinical trial.
Applicants must propose a research and career development plan aligned with the mission of a participating NIH Institute or Center (IC) and must have a clinical doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DMD, OD, DC, PharmD, ND, DVM, or PhD in a clinical discipline). The program is not intended for those proposing to gain research experience in a trial led by another investigator—such applicants must use the companion "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed" announcement.
