PKG00286056.pdf

This is an Application Guide that directs applicants to use either the General Instructions or Career Development Instructions when applying to the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required). The guide references multiple instructional resources available through the NIH grants portal, including HTML and PDF versions of general application instructions and career development-specific instructions. Application form packages may contain optional forms, and applicants must consult the specific funding opportunity announcement to determine which forms are required for submission.

The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) is a grant program designed to support postdoctoral researchers with research or clinical doctorates in transitioning to independent, tenure-track faculty positions. The program provides up to five years of funding: an initial K99 award of up to two years followed by an R00 award of up to three years for independent research. The application deadline is May 7, 2027. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, state and local governments, and small businesses, though non-U.S. entities and their components are generally ineligible (though foreign components of U.S. organizations are permitted). The program is co-funded by multiple NIH institutes and centers under several federal grant programs including Trans-NIH Research Support (93.310), Cardiovascular Diseases Research (93.837), Lung Diseases Research (93.838), Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (93.847), Mental Health Research (93.242), and Aging Research (93.866). The program aims to increase the cohort of new, NIH-supported independent investigators and help awardees launch competitive research careers.