AHRQ Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08)

The AHRQ Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) is administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this grant is to provide early-career clinical scientists with intensive mentored training in health services research. This funding opportunity aims to cultivate the next generation of independent health services researchers capable of addressing critical issues in healthcare delivery, quality, access, equity, and outcomes within the United States. The K08 program supports individuals holding clinical doctoral degrees, such as MD, DO, DDS, DMD, and PharmD, among others, through structured mentorship and protected time (3 to 5 years) dedicated to research development. The award consists of salary support up to $90,000 annually, along with up to $25,000 per year for research-related development costs. Candidates are expected to dedicate at least 75% of their full-time professional effort to the program. Applications must align with AHRQ’s mission to produce evidence to improve the quality, safety, accessibility, equity, and affordability of healthcare. Eligible applicants include a wide array of U.S.-based entities such as higher education institutions (both public and private), non-profits, local and state governments, Native American tribal organizations, and specific federal agencies. For-profit and foreign institutions are not eligible as primary applicants but may participate as subcontractors. Individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and cannot have previously held large-scale federal research or mentored career awards. Prior experience in health services research is not strictly required, allowing for tailored development pathways based on each candidate’s background. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the NIH ASSIST system or institutionally supported submission systems. While Letters of Intent are not required, the first standard application due date for this NOFO was October 12, 2022, with recurring due dates thereafter. Applications are peer-reviewed approximately four months after the due date. The earliest start date for funded projects is typically four months following review. Applications must follow the Career Development (K) instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, along with specific requirements in the NOFO. Applicants are encouraged to contact AHRQ scientific staff prior to submission to ensure responsiveness to the agency’s mission and research priorities. Specific program-related inquiries can be directed to Dr. Tamara Willis at [email protected]. Questions regarding peer review can be addressed to Armaz Aschrafi at [email protected], while grants management concerns may be directed to Galen Gregor at [email protected]. Although this specific notice expired on March 17, 2026, due to Notice NOT-HS-26-012, AHRQ frequently reissues similar opportunities under updated priorities. The K08 is a recurring mechanism and typically follows standard NIH cycle deadlines, with updated information made available through the NIH Guide. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the AHRQ website and the NIH funding announcements portal for future cycles and updated Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs).