The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is designed to help postdoctoral researchers with a research or clinical doctorate transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent, tenure-track faculty roles. The program offers a dual-phase funding mechanism, aimed at fostering the development of an independent research program that is competitive for future NIH funding. The award does not support candidates who intend to lead independent clinical trials. However, applicants may propose to gain clinical trial experience under the guidance of a mentor. Those who plan to lead a clinical trial should consider the companion funding opportunity (PA-24-193).
The K99/R00 program provides up to five years of support divided into two phases. The initial K99 phase supports up to two years of mentored postdoctoral training to prepare for an independent research career. The subsequent R00 phase provides up to three years of independent research funding upon securing a tenure-track faculty position. To be eligible, candidates must be in a mentored, non-independent position at the time of application, with no more than four years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates who have already held an independent research position or substantial independent funding are ineligible.
The award covers salary and research-related expenses according to the policies of the sponsoring institution and NIH guidelines. The budget for the R00 phase is capped at $249,000 per year, including direct and indirect costs. During the K99 phase, salary support must align with institutional norms for similar positions, and the candidate must commit at least 75% of their professional effort to the career development program. In the R00 phase, recipients must maintain a minimum of 75% effort on research activities, although exceptions exist for certain clinical specialties.
Applicants must collaborate closely with a mentor to develop the research and career development plan. The mentor should have a strong track record in guiding postdoctoral researchers to independence and must detail a plan to support the candidate's transition to independent research. The candidate’s institution must provide evidence of a strong research environment and commit to the candidate's development, including providing necessary resources during the K99 phase.
Applications are reviewed for the candidate's potential to become an independent researcher, the quality of the career development plan, the scientific merit of the proposed research, and the mentor’s qualifications. Standard NIH submission dates apply, and applicants are encouraged to contact NIH staff to ensure their application meets the specific requirements of the participating institutes. The program aims to facilitate a seamless transition from mentored training to a competitive independent research career, addressing the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs.
