Forecast to Publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32 - Clinical Trial Required)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Cancer Institute (NCI) and in collaboration with other participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), intends to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award under the K32 mechanism, which requires the inclusion of an independent clinical trial. This initiative is part of NIH’s long-standing commitment to cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. The ACE Award aims to support rigorous, mentored research and structured career development opportunities for early-stage postdoctoral scholars who show strong potential to evolve into productive, independent investigators. The ACE K32 Award provides up to three years of funding early in the postdoctoral training period. It includes an annual salary contribution of up to $80,000 and up to $30,000 per year for research development costs. These funds are intended to support innovative, high-impact research projects and comprehensive career development plans that foster progression toward research independence. The program prioritizes applications that do not require preliminary data, encouraging creativity and thoughtful planning over prior results. Applications must demonstrate a sound research environment, strong mentorship, and a clear trajectory toward securing more advanced NIH career development awards, such as the K01, K08, or K99/R00, and ultimately achieving independent funding like an R01. Eligibility for this opportunity includes a range of institutions and organizational types, such as public and private higher education institutions, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit entities (excluding academic institutions), state and local governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and both small and for-profit businesses. Importantly, applicants must apply through the institution where the postdoctoral research will be conducted. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or lawful permanent resident by the time of award and should not have completed more than two years of postdoctoral training at the time of application. Individuals who previously received the NIH F99/K00 award are not eligible for this program. The submission window for the ACE K32 Award is anticipated to open on December 1, 2025, with applications due by February 12, 2026. The forecasted award date and start of project period is January 2, 2027. The opportunity is currently in forecast status and is expected to become active once the NOFO is officially published. While the grant is not available on a rolling basis, its structure and placement in NIH’s career development framework suggest a potential for recurring availability, although this has not been explicitly stated in the forecast. Evaluation criteria will focus on the strength of the proposed research plan, its innovation, the quality of mentorship, the feasibility of the candidate’s career development trajectory, and the institutional commitment to supporting the scholar. The NIH emphasizes that applications should reflect thoughtful integration of research and training goals. Candidates are encouraged to secure their postdoctoral training placement and design their development plan prior to or shortly after beginning work with their mentor. For additional information or specific inquiries, interested parties can contact Dr. Sonia B. Jakowlew at the National Cancer Institute. She can be reached via email at jakowles@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 240-276-5630. This opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing Number 93.398 – Cancer Research Manpower and is expected to fund approximately 120 awards across the United States.