Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
The overall goal of the NIH Research Career Development program is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) support a variety of mentored and non-mentored career development award programs designed to foster the transition of new investigators to research independence and to support established investigators in achieving specific objectives. Candidates should review the different career development (K) award programs to determine the best program to support their goals. More information about Career programs may be found at the NIH Research Training and Career Development website.
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is intended to foster the development of research scientists and enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research. It provides three, four, or five years of salary support and “protected time” for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers.
Candidates must hold a doctoral degree, independent peer reviewed research support at the time the award is made, and commit a minimum of 9 person-months (75% of full-time professional effort) to conducting research and relevant career development activities during the period of the award. Depending on the sponsoring Institute or Center (IC), scientists whose work is primarily theoretical may apply for this award in the absence of external research grant support. Receipt of prior support may have an impact on eligibility for the K02 award. Each independent scientist career award program must be tailored to meet the individual needs of the candidate. The sponsoring institution must demonstrate a commitment to provide the environment, resources and the protected time required for the candidate to perform the activities included in the proposed research and career development plans.
Note: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Under this NOFO are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator. Those proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should apply to the companion NOFO (PA-24-178).
Award budgets are composed of salary and other program-related expenses,
June 12, 2024; October 12, 2024
Scientific/Research Contact(s)
See Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements and Staff Contacts.