Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites applications for the Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Program, announced under funding opportunity RFA-HD-25-005. This program is designed to advance research in women’s reproductive health by developing a cohort of early-career clinician-researchers in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) who will conduct impactful research and strengthen the field. The WRHR program, initially launched in 1998, offers structured, mentored career development for junior faculty who recently completed clinical training in OB/GYN. WRHR Scholars, selected for their potential as future research leaders, will receive support to develop independence in research areas such as maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology, and other OB/GYN subspecialties. The WRHR program provides junior faculty Scholars with comprehensive research training, supported by senior investigators who offer expertise and resources. Scholars may engage in basic, translational, or clinical research in women’s reproductive health, although projects focusing solely on health care delivery, policy, or certain somatic health topics (e.g., breast or cardiovascular health) are excluded. Scholars are also permitted to gain research experience in clinical trials or lead clinical trials themselves, including ancillary studies to existing trials. NICHD anticipates awarding $4.8 million in fiscal year 2025 to fund 14-17 awards, with each institution eligible to request up to $315,000 annually. Support includes up to $125,000 per year per Scholar, with $100,000 designated for salary and benefits (based on a full-time, 12-month appointment), and $25,000 for research and career development expenses. Scholars must commit to dedicating at least 75% of their full-time effort to WRHR activities; surgeon-scientists are eligible to devote a minimum of 50% effort to maintain surgical competency. Additional allowable program costs include funding for minimal recruitment, administrative support directly related to the program, and up to $65,000 for personnel and other program-related expenses. Eligible applicants are U.S. higher education institutions, including public and private universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, and similar organizations with a dedicated OB/GYN department. Institutions must have established research programs in reproductive health, clinical specialties relevant to OB/GYN, and a supportive infrastructure for career development. Each applicant organization can submit multiple applications if they are programmatically distinct. Mentors for WRHR Scholars should be experienced, active researchers with a history of mentoring success and may include faculty from outside the OB/GYN department, provided the research remains relevant to OB/GYN. Applications must follow NIH's submission guidelines, with the option to submit through ASSIST or other NIH-approved platforms. Required application materials include a detailed career development plan, letters of institutional commitment, and descriptions of program administration and evaluation methods. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, with applicants encouraged to submit early to correct any errors before the deadline. Renewal applications should outline program changes, successes, and updates to recruitment strategies and responsible conduct training. The review process will evaluate applications on their overall impact, the program environment, the qualifications of the program leaders, mentor expertise, Scholar potential, and diversity recruitment plans. Programs involving clinical trials will be assessed on their infrastructure’s capability to support such research. Awards will be selected based on scientific merit, funding availability, and alignment with NICHD priorities, with notifications to successful applicants expected in mid-2025 for project start dates in July 2025.