NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, offers the Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00). This program aims to strengthen the cohort of independent, NCI-supported investigators by enabling highly qualified postdoctoral fellows to transition efficiently from mentored positions to tenure-track or equivalent faculty roles. The K99/R00 award provides up to five years of support across two phases: the mentored K99 phase and the independent R00 phase. It specifically supports postdoctoral scientists who do not require extensive additional mentored training before achieving independence, with particular emphasis on cancer control, cancer prevention, and cancer data sciences. The award mechanism is designed for candidates proposing to lead independent basic experimental studies involving human participants. These studies are categorized as prospective basic science clinical trials under NIH definitions. Eligible projects must involve prospective assignment of human participants to experimental conditions for the purpose of understanding fundamental biomedical or behavioral phenomena without immediate application toward health-related products or processes. Applicants not planning an independent trial or proposing to join another investigator’s trial must apply under companion announcements. Proposals must align with the mission priorities of NCI and meet NIH criteria for rigor, responsible conduct of research, and sound trial design. The K99 phase provides up to two years of mentored research and career development. NCI contributes up to $100,000 annually toward salary and up to $30,000 annually for research and career development costs. These funds may support tuition, supplies, technical personnel, travel, and statistical services. Indirect costs for extramural institutions are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. The R00 independent phase provides up to three years of independent research support with a maximum annual total cost of $249,000, inclusive of salary, fringe, research, and indirect costs. Institutions must demonstrate commitment through appropriate facilities, mentorship, and a clear plan for the candidate’s transition to independence. Eligible applicants must be in mentored postdoctoral training positions and have no more than two years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application. Candidates must hold a clinical or research doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, DDS, DVM, ScD, PharmD) and demonstrate potential for independence. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens with appropriate visas are eligible. Faculty-level independence, previous major NIH grants, or more than two years of postdoctoral research disqualify applicants. Applications must also include a formal nomination letter from the candidate’s department head, affirming the candidate as the sole institutional nominee for their chosen scientific area. Applications must be prepared and submitted electronically through NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solutions. Deadlines recur three times per year, with upcoming submissions due June 16, 2025, October 14, 2025, February 17, 2026, and continuing through October 2026. Applications undergo NIH peer review, including assessments of candidate potential, career development plan, research significance, mentoring environment, and institutional support. Successful applications are expected to demonstrate strong plans for career progression, independence from mentors, and scientifically sound research strategies. Program administration requires registration with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and NIH eRA Commons. Required application components include a research plan covering both phases, mentor statements, career development activities, institutional nomination letter, and a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Applicants must also comply with NIH policies on human subjects, clinical trials, inclusion of women and minorities, and responsible conduct of research. Funding is contingent on NIH appropriations and the submission of meritorious applications, with awards subject to NIH grants policies and reporting requirements. Agency contacts for this opportunity include Dr. Sergey Radaev (NCI) for scientific questions, the NCI Referral Officer for peer review, and Amy Bartosch (NCI) for financial and grants management inquiries. This NOFO is set to expire on October 15, 2026, but will remain in effect for multiple cycles until that date. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to review the complete NOFO and associated notices, as well as to contact NCI staff with eligibility or program-specific questions before submitting their applications.