NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), offers the Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) under the funding opportunity number PAR-25-333. This grant is part of NIH’s broader mission to ensure a continuous pipeline of skilled biomedical researchers, and specifically aims to support dentist scientists with both a clinical dental degree (DMD or DDS) and a research doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent). The program seeks to advance the field of dental, oral, and craniofacial health through the development of independently funded researchers capable of transitioning from mentored postdoctoral research into tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The funding is designed to address the unique challenges faced by dual-degree dentist scientists, who often balance clinical responsibilities and additional specialty training with research endeavors. The award is structured in two phases: the K99 phase provides up to two years of mentored postdoctoral training, and the R00 phase supports three to five years of independent research. Five years of R00 support are available for those pursuing specialty training at no more than 25% effort, while at least 75% effort must be allocated to research. Specialty areas must be recognized by the American Dental Association's National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties. This opportunity does not allow applicants to lead an independent clinical trial but permits research experiences within trials led by mentors. To be eligible, applicants must have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience and must currently be in a mentored position. The candidate must demonstrate the need for additional mentored research and career development to qualify for the transition to an independent research career. Individuals with prior tenure-track positions or prior independent NIH research awards are ineligible. Applications for this funding must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional systems. The opportunity has multiple standard NIH due dates throughout each year, starting July 15, 2025, and recurring every February, June, and October until 2028. The earliest date for submission is June 15, 2025, and the program will expire on May 8, 2028. The application process requires adherence to the Career Development (K) instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide, including necessary registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Evaluation of applications will follow NIH’s two-level peer review process, assessing the applicant's research plan, career development plan, and institutional commitment, as well as mentorship quality. Special considerations are given to candidates proposing clinical specialty training, which must be justified and detailed in both phases of the application. Funding includes up to $100,000 per year in salary support for the K99 phase, with an additional $25,000 for research-related expenses. The R00 phase provides up to $249,000 in total annual costs, including indirect costs. Applicants can direct inquiries to Dr. Shoba Thirumangalathu at shoba.thirumangalathu@nih.gov or by phone at 301-594-0652. Financial questions can be addressed to Gabriel Hidalgo at Gabriel.Hidalgo@nih.gov or 301-827-4630. Additional guidance and updates can be accessed via the NIDCR Careers and Training portal.

Ensure your position is eligible as mentored/non-independent; reach out to NIDCR program officials to confirm. Provide a detailed separation plan from mentor. Justify any proposed clinical specialty training during the R00 phase.