NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health, has issued the Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers. This program, known as the K99/R00 Career Transition Award, is designed to support promising postdoctoral scientists who are preparing to move from mentored training into independent tenure-track research careers. The award seeks to strengthen the pipeline of independent cancer investigators by offering structured support for this critical transition. By targeting early-career postdoctoral researchers, the initiative emphasizes timely advancement to independence without requiring lengthy additional mentored research periods beyond the doctoral degree. The purpose of the program is to accelerate the career development of postdoctoral researchers who show strong potential for leadership in cancer research. It supports those working in cancer control, prevention, and cancer data sciences, though applicants from other cancer-related disciplines may also be considered. Importantly, this solicitation is restricted to candidates not proposing to lead their own independent clinical trials. However, participants may gain experience in trials under the guidance of a qualified mentor or co-mentor. Related companion announcements are available for those intending to propose clinical trials as principal investigators. The award provides up to five years of support, divided into two phases. The mentored K99 phase lasts up to two years, during which recipients receive salary and career development support while working under the guidance of a senior investigator. For extramural candidates, NCI will contribute up to $100,000 per year toward salary and up to $30,000 annually for research development expenses. For those in NIH intramural labs, support is determined by internal salary structures and resources. Successful K99 awardees who secure an independent, tenure-track faculty position are eligible to transition into the R00 phase, which provides up to three years of independent research support capped at $249,000 per year in total costs. Eligibility is limited to postdoctoral researchers with less than two years of postdoctoral experience at the time of application, holding a research or clinical doctoral degree. Individuals in faculty-level research positions are not eligible. The sponsoring institution must demonstrate a strong research environment and commitment to mentoring. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, governments, school districts, tribal organizations, and others, though foreign institutions are not permitted to apply. U.S. citizenship is not required, but visa status must allow completion of the program phases. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Required components include an institutional nomination letter, candidate background and career development plans, a research strategy spanning both award phases, mentor statements, and detailed institutional commitments. Candidates must also provide a plan for training in the responsible conduct of research. The application and review process follows NIH procedures, including peer review for scientific merit, advisory council review, and subsequent programmatic funding decisions. Applications are due multiple times per year, with upcoming deadlines on February 14, June 16, and October 14, 2025, recurring annually until the program’s expiration date of October 15, 2026. All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant institution. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Contact information for scientific inquiries is available through Dr. Sergey Radaev at NCI, with grants management inquiries directed to Amy Bartosch. A pre-application webinar is anticipated and will provide additional guidance for prospective applicants.