Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a longstanding federal initiative intended to foster the development of clinical researchers into independent investigators. This specific funding opportunity, designated PA-24-183, supports applicants proposing basic experimental studies involving humans, which meet both the NIH’s definition of a clinical trial and the federal definition of basic research. The award aims to provide substantial protected time—between three to five years—for individuals with clinical doctoral degrees to pursue supervised career development in biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research. The funding mechanism facilitates not only rigorous academic growth but also structured mentorship within institutional research environments. This opportunity is administered by the NIH and includes participation from multiple NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), including the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute on Aging (NIA), and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), among others. Each participating IC aligns with specific scientific missions and may provide co-funding or have additional application requirements. Importantly, not all NIH ICs participate in this announcement, and applicants must consult the IC-specific guidance to ensure eligibility and appropriateness of the proposed research. The NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health and the Office of Data Science Strategy may also co-fund projects. The program targets U.S.-based individuals with clinical doctoral degrees—such as MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DVM, or equivalent—who have not previously served as a principal investigator on major NIH research awards. It is open to public and private institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and various government entities, including state, local, and tribal bodies. Candidates must commit at least 75% of their professional effort to the research and career development plan. Foreign institutions are ineligible to apply, but foreign components are permitted under certain conditions. Eligible applications must propose basic experimental studies with human participants where independent variables are manipulated to study biomedical or behavioral outcomes, without specific applications to products or clinical procedures. Studies with specific translational intent or FDA-related trials should apply to alternative NOFOs. This NOFO is uniquely suited for fundamental human research studies and is not appropriate for mechanistic clinical trials or observational studies. Applicants must submit through one of the approved electronic systems (NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system portal), ensuring that all registrations (SAM, eRA Commons, ORCID) are complete prior to submission. There is no letter of intent requirement. Applications follow NIH’s standard due dates, recurring three times annually, with upcoming deadlines on February 12, June 12, and October 12 through 2027. Reviews occur in cycles, and awards are expected several months later, aligning with NIH’s advisory council and start date schedules. Support includes salary and fringe benefits within NIH-defined limits, and funds may be used for tuition, research expenses, travel, and statistical services, but not for administrative support. Indirect costs are reimbursed at a fixed rate of 8%. Application evaluations focus on the candidate’s potential, the quality and innovation of the proposed research, the strength of mentorship, and the institutional environment. A robust training plan in responsible conduct of research is also required. Candidates and mentors are encouraged to craft individualized development plans with clear milestones and mentorship structures.

Consult IC-specific guidance before submission; Follow both NOFO and Application Guide exactly; Include a strong mentoring plan with career timelines