Notice to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Cancer Institute (NCI) and collaborating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), has issued a forecast for the upcoming Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award under funding opportunity number NOT-CA-25-103. This notice indicates the agency's intention to release a formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the ACE K32 Award later in 2025. The ACE K32 is designed to provide early-career postdoctoral researchers with the support necessary to build a foundation for future independence in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. The award is specifically aimed at applicants who do not plan to conduct independent clinical trials as part of their research activities under this mechanism. The ACE K32 award will offer a structured period of mentored research training for postdoctoral scholars, with up to three years of support. During this time, the awardee receives salary support and funds for research and career development, allowing them to cultivate innovative scientific ideas and refine their skills under expert guidance. The award is ideal for candidates who may not yet have extensive preliminary data but who show strong potential for contributing to fields aligned with the missions of the participating NIH ICs. The award is intended to serve as a springboard for candidates to transition to more advanced NIH career development awards, such as K01, K08, or the K99/R00, and eventually to independent research projects (e.g., R01). Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, state and county governments, tribal governments (both federally recognized and not), housing authorities, small businesses, for-profit organizations, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. The application must be submitted by the institution where the candidate will carry out their postdoctoral research. Notably, candidates who previously received an F99/K00 Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award are not eligible to apply. To qualify, applicants must not have completed more than two years of postdoctoral training by the application due date. Those who have not yet completed their terminal doctoral degree but expect to do so within one year of the due date are also encouraged to apply. By the time of award, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a lawful permanent resident. The application must include a well-developed research and career development plan, and the candidate must have already identified a research group and mentor. Financially, the NIH will contribute up to $80,000 annually toward the scholar’s salary, subject to institutional consistency, and up to $30,000 annually for research development costs. These contributions must be justified based on the candidate’s career stage and research intensity. The expected number of awards is 120. No cost sharing or matching is required. Detailed funding limits such as the overall ceiling and floor of awards were not provided in the forecast notice and will likely be specified in the future NOFO. The opportunity is currently forecasted, with an estimated post date of December 1, 2025. Applications will be due by February 12, 2026. Award decisions are anticipated by January 2, 2027, and selected projects are expected to begin on that same date. For additional information, applicants may contact Dr. Sonia B. Jakowlew at the National Cancer Institute via email at jakowles@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 240-276-5630.