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

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has reissued the NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) under the Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-333. This grant aims to foster the development of independently funded dentist scientists by supporting dual degree candidates—those holding both DDS or DMD and PhD degrees—on their path from mentored postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track faculty roles. The program's purpose is to strengthen the pool of researchers committed to advancing dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) health through a dual-phase award supporting both training and independent research. The K99/R00 mechanism offers up to seven years of support. The K99 phase funds two years of mentored postdoctoral training, while the R00 phase offers three to five years of independent research support. Applicants proposing to pursue a dental specialty training program may qualify for the extended five-year R00 phase, provided the clinical effort remains limited to 25% of full-time professional time annually. The maximum funding during the R00 phase is capped at $249,000 per year. During the K99 phase, NIDCR provides up to $100,000 annually for salary and $25,000 for research development expenses. Indirect costs for the K99 phase are capped at 8%, and standard institutional indirect rates apply for the R00 phase. Eligibility is restricted to dual degree dentist scientists in mentored, postdoctoral training positions with no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience. Applicants must not hold a faculty or other independent research position. They may apply from a range of eligible institutions, including higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits, for-profit entities, and other governmental organizations. However, foreign institutions are not eligible, and the K99 phase must be conducted at a U.S.-based institution. The transition to the R00 phase requires the candidate to have secured a full-time, tenure-track faculty position and to demonstrate satisfactory progress in the mentored phase. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis aligned with NIH’s standard submission cycles. The earliest submission date is June 15, 2025, and the first application due date is July 15, 2025. Recurring deadlines occur three times a year through February 12, 2028, and applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant’s organization. The grant is not subject to intergovernmental review and does not require a letter of intent. Applicants must ensure compliance with NIH’s data management and sharing policies, human subjects research protections, and responsible conduct of research training. All applicants must be registered with SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Evaluation criteria for this opportunity are comprehensive. Reviewers will assess the candidate’s potential for independence, the quality and feasibility of the research and career development plan, mentor qualifications, and institutional support. Review emphasis is also placed on the transition plan to independence and the candidate's potential to become a productive, independent investigator in DOC research. The application process involves extensive documentation, including detailed research strategies, career development plans, and institutional commitment statements. For those proposing clinical dental specialty training during the R00 phase, additional justification and institutional assurances are required at the time of R00 activation. For questions or additional guidance, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the designated program officials. The Scientific/Research Contact is Dr. Shoba Thirumangalathu, reachable via email at shoba.thirumangalathu@nih.gov or by phone at 301-594-0652. For financial or grants management inquiries, contact Gabriel Hidalgo, MBA, at gabriel.hidalgo@nih.gov or by phone at 301-827-4630.

Submit early; contact NIDCR with eligibility concerns.