Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: Standard NIH due dates: February 12, June 12, October 12 (non-AIDS) | May 7, September 7, January 7 (AIDS) | Expires January 8, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000/year (K99 phase salary) plus $25,000/year research costs; R00 phase up to $249,000/year (total costs, incl. salary, research, indirects); up to 2 years K99 + 2 years R00 (max 4 years total)
Summary: Supports postdoctoral physician-scientists with clinical doctorates to transition from mentored research to independent, tenure-track faculty positions; independent clinical trials are not allowed.
Key Information: Applicants must have ≤4 years postdoc experience; no independent clinical trials as PI; U.S. and non-U.S. citizens eligible; updated salary and support levels as of May 2024.
Description
This opportunity, administered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH, is designed to address the national shortage of physician-scientists by supporting the transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers with clinical doctorates to independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The award provides up to four years of support in two phases: a mentored K99 phase (up to 2 years) and an independent R00 phase (up to 2 years). The program is specifically for candidates who do not propose to lead an independent clinical trial, though research experience within a mentor-led clinical trial is permitted.
The program aims to foster the development of creative, independent research programs in biomedical fields, positioning awardees to compete successfully for subsequent independent funding.
Due Dates
- Standard NIH due dates apply:
- Non-AIDS applications: February 12, June 12, October 12 (annually)
- AIDS-related applications: May 7, September 7, January 7 (annually)
- Expiration date: January 8, 2026
- Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
- See the NIH Standard Due Dates here.
Funding Amount
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K99 Phase (Mentored):
- Up to $75,000/year salary + fringe benefits
- Up to $25,000/year for research development costs (e.g., supplies, tuition, travel)
- Indirect costs: 8% of modified total direct costs (extramural)
- Duration: up to 2 years
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R00 Phase (Independent):
- Up to $249,000/year (total costs, including salary, fringe, research costs, and indirects)
- Indirect costs: at the institution’s negotiated rate
- Duration: up to 2 years
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Total project period: Maximum 4 years (2 years K99 + 2 years R00)
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Recent update: As of May 2024, NIAID increased salary and research support levels for K99 and R00 phases (see NOT-AI-24-039 here).
Eligibility
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Who can apply:
- Postdoctoral researchers with a clinical doctorate (e.g., MD, DO, DDS/DMD, DVM/VMD, MD/PhD, DNP, or nurses with research doctorates) who devote the majority of their time to biomedical research.
- Must have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application.
- Must be in a mentored, postdoctoral position (not independent faculty).
- Both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are eligible; no citizenship requirement.
- Candidates must require at least 12 months of additional mentored research training at the time of award.
- Candidates who have held or accepted an independent research or tenure-track faculty position are not eligible.
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Eligible organizations:
- U.S. higher education institutions (public/private)
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
- State, local, tribal governments
- Federal agencies (mentored phase only)
- Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply; foreign components are allowed.
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Not eligible:
- Non-U.S. institutions as the applicant organization
- Candidates proposing to lead an independent clinical trial (see companion FOA for clinical trial leadership)
Application Process
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov here or NIH ASSIST.
- Required registrations: SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and ORCID for the PI.
- Application format: Use the NIH Career Development (K) Application Guide, Forms Version H here.
- Reference letters: Required and must be submitted directly via eRA Commons by referees.
- Mentor(s): Applicants must identify a primary mentor (and optionally co-mentors) with a strong record of research and mentoring.
- Data Management and Sharing Plan: Required for all applications.
- No independent clinical trials: Applicants may propose research experience in a mentor-led clinical trial, but may not lead a clinical trial as PI under this FOA.
Additional Information
- Transition to R00 phase: Requires securing an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position and approval from NIAID.
- Level of effort: K99 phase requires at least 75% effort (may be reduced to 50% in some cases with NIAID approval); R00 phase requires at least 50% effort.
- Salary cap: NIH salary cap applies (see current cap here).
- Companion FOA: For those proposing to lead an independent clinical trial, apply to PAR-23-070 here.
- Recent policy updates: See NOT-OD-24-084 here for application and review changes effective January 25, 2025.
External Links
Contact Information
For full agency contacts, see Section VII of the FOA here.