NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | RFA CA 22 037

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 037

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-22-037) is a National Institutes of Health grant program meant to help exceptional early-stage postdoctoral researchers move quickly from a mentored postdoc role into a fully independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position. The core goal is workforce development for cancer research: NCI wants to grow and sustain a strong pipeline of talented investigators who can establish independent laboratories and build long-term, competitive research careers with NCI support. The award is aimed at postdoctoral fellows who already have a research and/or clinical doctoral degree and who are judged not to need a long additional period of mentored training beyond the doctorate, but who do need a structured, supported bridge to independence.

This opportunity uses the K99/R00 "two-phase" structure that is commonly described as a transition award. In practice, it supports a final, mentored period while the candidate is still in a postdoctoral environment (the K99 phase), followed by a shift to an independent phase once the candidate secures an independent faculty position (the R00 phase). NCI positions this as a way to reduce the gap between training and independence by providing research support that can travel with the investigator as they launch their own program. Applicants working in data science and cancer control science are specifically encouraged, signaling NCI interest in strengthening these areas within the cancer research portfolio.

A defining feature of this particular FOA is that it is intended for candidates who will lead an independent clinical trial or trial-like effort as part of their career development and research plan. That includes serving as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, running a clinical trial feasibility study, or leading a distinct ancillary clinical trial. If an applicant is not planning to lead an independent clinical trial, or if they mainly want experience on a clinical trial led by someone else, they are directed instead to a companion announcement (RFA-CA-22-035). In other words, this FOA is specifically built for applicants whose proposed path to independence includes taking primary responsibility for a trial as the lead investigator, rather than participating under another PI.

The scientific scope is also tightly defined around independent basic experimental studies with humans that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial while still being considered basic research. The FOA aligns with NIH guidance on "prospective basic science studies involving human participants" (referenced as NOT-OD-18-212). The types of projects envisioned are studies where human participants are prospectively assigned to different conditions, meaning the investigator experimentally manipulates one or more independent variables, and then measures biomedical or behavioral outcomes in humans to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena. The emphasis is on experimental manipulation and fundamental understanding, not purely observational human research.

On eligibility, NIH lists a broad set of applicant organizations that can submit applications, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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 (AANAPISI), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which typically means certain project elements can be carried out abroad under a U.S.-based applicant when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Education and Health activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.398. The posting indicates a creation date of September 15, 2022, and an original closing date of February 28, 2023. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the excerpt, but the overarching intent is clear: fund a select set of highly promising postdoctoral investigators to help them cross the threshold into independence with a research program that includes prospective, experimental human studies that qualify as clinical trials under NIH definitions while advancing basic scientific understanding relevant to cancer.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-09-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA CA 22 037

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