Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PA 24 176

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 176

The NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is a career development grant meant to help early-stage or transitioning researchers build toward research independence in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. The core idea is to provide substantial protected time and financial support for an intensive, closely supervised mentored experience lasting three to five years. During this period, the award supports a structured career development plan that typically combines mentored research, specialized training, and professional development activities so the candidate can develop the skills, publication record, and scientific direction needed to compete successfully for independent research funding later on.

A key feature of this particular opportunity is its restriction related to clinical trials. This is the "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed" version of the parent K01, meaning the applicant cannot propose to lead an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial as the main research effort. However, the award does allow the candidate to gain clinical trial experience as part of the mentored research, as long as the clinical trial is led by the mentor or co-mentor and the K01 candidate is not the lead investigator for that trial. If someone wants to be the lead investigator of a clinical trial (including an ancillary clinical trial), NIH directs them to apply to the companion funding opportunity designed for that purpose.

Across NIH Institutes and Centers, the K01 mechanism is used a bit differently depending on the Institute's mission and workforce priorities. In general, it supports mentored development toward independence, but some NIH components may emphasize the K01 for people retraining into a new scientific area or for researchers returning after a significant hiatus due to illness or major family responsibilities. Other Institutes may use K01s to cultivate expertise in specific research fields they consider high priority. In practical terms, this means applicants need to align their research and training plan with the priorities of the NIH Institute or Center they are targeting, since the same K01 structure can be applied in different ways across NIH.

Eligibility to apply is broad at the organizational level and includes many types of U.S.-based entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, certain tribal governments and tribal organizations, independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses in the "other than small businesses" category, though small businesses are also listed as eligible in the general eligibility field). The announcement also highlights additional eligible organization types often emphasized for outreach and inclusivity, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and certain regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear limits regarding foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply directly, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. That said, "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization may be able to include certain defined foreign activities or collaborations when justified and structured in compliance with NIH policy, even though the applicant institution itself must be domestic.

Administratively, this opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health as a discretionary grant program and is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PA-24-176. It falls under a wide set of CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers reflecting NIH participation across multiple Institutes and program areas. The posting indicates an original closing date of May 7, 2027, and does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided data, which is common for NIH parent announcements where budgets and award counts depend on institute-specific allocations and the merit of applications received. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a structured, mentored bridge to independence for researchers who need dedicated time, guidance, and a formal development plan, while specifically avoiding applications where the candidate would be the person leading a clinical trial.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.313, 93.351, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 24 176

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