NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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The overall purpose 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 NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award(K22) funding program is intended to support individuals from diverse  backgrounds, including, but not limited to, those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as outlined in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. (NOT-OD-20-031). The NOFO broadly encourages applicants whose life experiences, geographic locations, academic training, socioeconomic backgrounds, professional expertise, or other personal characteristics bring unique perspectives to cancer research.  See, e.g., Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019.

NCI recognizes that diversity has many dimensions (e.g., academic background, areas of scientific interest, geography). We encourage all individuals who believe they can contribute to enhancing diverse perspectives in cancer research to work with their organizations and contact the program official listed at the end of this announcement with any questions they might have 

Consistent with existing NIH/NCI practices and applicable law: (1) organizations may not use the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of an individual to select or approve a candidate, or to select or approve collaborators, consultants, or other award participants; and (2) NIH/NCI does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of candidates, participating investigators, collaborators, consultants, or other award participants in the application review process or funding decisions.  Applicant organizations and award recipients are encouraged to consult with their General Counsel to ensure that all applicable laws and regulations are being followed with respect to application submission and award implementation. 

This funding program supports faculty development and provides critical resources to enhance research capabilities. By investing in the career development of promising junior investigators from diverse backgrounds, we seek to strengthen the research community and advance scientific knowledge in cancer research. Recipients are expected to leverage this support to achieve significant career milestones, including successful support as a PD/PI (e.g., R01) and impactful research contributions.

Transitioning from postdoctoral training to an independent faculty position remains a significant challenge for many early-career researchers. Recent studies show that the average time spent in postdoctoral positions has increased, with many scientists now spending six years or more before securing a tenure-track faculty position. This extended training period, coupled with the intense competition for independent faculty positions and the demand for a robust publication record and successful grant applications, often creates a formidable barrier to achieving research independence. The K22 funding program is designed to address these challenges by providing the essential support needed to bridge the gap between postdoctoral training and a successful, independent research career (The next generation of biomedical and behavioral sciences researchers: Breaking through; The future of the postdoc; Biomedical science Ph.D. career interest patterns by race/ethnicity and gender).

This funding program provides up to three years of support for talented mentored cancer researchers from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as outlined in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031) as well as applicants whose life experiences, geographic locations, academic training, socioeconomic backgrounds, professional expertise, or other personal characteristics bring unique perspectives to cancer research.This support period allows the candidates to establish an independent research areas and to prepare a competitive application for research project grant support (R01 or equivalent). Candidates must propose a research project that they will pursue during their independent faculty career stage. K22 candidates are expected to have ownership of the project and, with the explicit agreement of their mentor/collaborator, must be able to take the project with them when transitioning to independence.

After the review of K22 application, candidates selected for funding will receive a “Letter of Intent to Commit Funds” from the NCI Office of Grant Administration. This letter signifies NCI's commitment to fund the award under the specified conditions noted in the letter. This letter can significantly enhance the candidate’s chances of securing interviews with their preferred universities, receiving offer letters, and negotiating a better startup package.

To activate the K22 award, successful candidates must first secure full-time assistant professor position or equivalent at an extramural institution within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent to Commit Funds. Once the position is secured, the candidate will submit updated information about the K22 application with the support of the sponsoring institution. The sponsoring institution may be the same as the postdoctoral institution, or different from the one where the K22 application was originally submitted. The NCI's Center for Cancer Health Equity Program staff will evaluate the offer letter and the updated application to ensure all programmatic requirements are met before activating the K22 award. Detailed requirements for the activation of the K22 award are described in Section VI of this announcement.

Award budgets are composed of salary and other program-related expenses.

Not Required

February 12, 2025; June 12, 2025; October 12, 2025

K22 Career Program Director
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-7754
Email: cureK22@nih.gov