NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PA 24 194

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 194

The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00, Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a two-phase NIH grant program meant to help exceptional postdoctoral researchers move more quickly and securely into independent academic research careers. Its central goal is to strengthen the long-term pipeline of NIH-funded investigators by supporting the critical transition period between a mentored postdoctoral position and a first independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty role. In practice, the award is structured to provide support first while the applicant is still in a mentored environment and then to continue support once the applicant has landed an independent faculty appointment, giving them a runway to establish their own research direction, publications, and funding trajectory.

This opportunity is listed as a discretionary NIH grant under Funding Opportunity Number PA-24-194 and spans multiple NIH program areas, reflected in the wide set of CFDA numbers (including many institutes and centers across NIH). Although it is broadly health-related, the program is not limited to one disease area or specialty. It is specifically geared toward postdoctoral-level scientists (with research and/or clinical doctorate degrees) who are not yet independent and who need a structured bridge to the point where they can compete successfully as independent investigators. A key restriction is embedded in the title: independent clinical trials are not allowed under this parent announcement, which signals that proposed research must fit within NIH rules for this mechanism and cannot be designed as an independent clinical trial led by the applicant under this FOA.

Eligibility is framed broadly at the organizational level, which is typical for NIH announcements even when the real target is an individual career stage. Eligible applicant organizations include a wide range of domestic entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and numerous government bodies (state, county, city/township, special district governments), as well as independent school districts and public housing/Indian housing authorities. It also explicitly calls out additional eligible organizational categories that NIH wants to encourage, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and certain tribal and regional entities, along with faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, the announcement is clear about international limitations: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization can include certain justified foreign elements within the overall project in compliance with NIH policy.

From a timing standpoint, the opportunity has an original closing date listed as 2027-05-07, indicating an extended availability window consistent with many NIH parent announcements that run across multiple standard due dates. The notice does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided extract, which generally means applicants should consult the full funding announcement and NIH institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, allowable costs, and any institute-level participation details. Overall, the K99/R00 mechanism is best understood as a career-transition award: it is designed not just to fund a project, but to fund a person at a pivotal stage, providing mentored support followed by independent support so the awardee can establish a competitive, sustainable research program once they secure an appropriate faculty appointment.

• 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 "NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 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, 93.361, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 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 24 194

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