At a glance
This NIH program funds postdoctoral researchers who are moving toward independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. It does not allow applicants to propose their own clinical trials, though they may gain experience in a mentor-led trial. Applicants must be in mentored postdoctoral training, have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience, and have a clinical or research doctorate; foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. The award can last up to 5 years total, with up to 2 years for the mentored K99 phase and up to 3 years for the independent R00 phase, and NIH says the number of awards depends on appropriations and meritorious applications. Cost sharing is not required; for the R00 phase, total costs may not exceed $249,000 per year, and the extramural K99 phase has 8% indirect costs on modified total direct costs.
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
The purpose of the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers.
Who can apply
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Others
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments