NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PA 24 195

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 195

The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00) titled "Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-24-195) is a discretionary NIH grant program meant to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move more quickly from mentored postdoctoral training into fully independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The central goal is to strengthen the pipeline of NIH-supported independent investigators by providing structured support across the transition period, so that promising early-career scientists can establish their own research programs and become competitive for longer-term independent funding.

The award is designed around a two-phase career development pathway. The first segment (the K99 phase) supports a mentored period while the applicant is still in a postdoctoral role, allowing them to deepen expertise, complete key training, publish, and build a clear launch plan for independence under guidance from an experienced mentor. The second segment (the R00 phase) provides independent NIH research support after the awardee secures an independent faculty appointment, helping them start and stabilize their lab or research program during the critical early years of independence. In practical terms, the program is meant to reduce the gap between postdoctoral training and running an independent research group by ensuring continuity of funding as the scientist changes roles and institutions.

A defining feature of this particular "Parent K99/R00" version is the focus on independent basic experimental studies with humans required. That means the proposed research is expected to include human participants and involve prospective basic science experimentation in humans, consistent with NIH definitions and policy expectations for this category. Applicants should be prepared for the additional planning and compliance requirements that come with human studies (for example, human subjects protections and related NIH policy expectations), since the funding opportunity explicitly signals that human experimentation is not optional for this FOA.

Eligibility to apply spans a wide range of U.S.-based organizations and entity types that can sponsor and administer NIH grants, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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), eligible federal government agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear limits related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means certain types of international collaborations or project elements may be permissible if they meet NIH requirements and are appropriately justified.

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.113, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.361, 93.398, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867), reflecting the many NIH institutes and centers that may participate. The opportunity record indicates an original closing date of 2027-05-07, and it was created on 2024-04-24. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA and any institute-specific guidance to understand budget structures, duration expectations, and institute participation details.

Overall, PA-24-195 is best understood as a career-launch mechanism: it targets exceptional postdoctoral researchers who are close to independence, supports them through the final mentored period, and then provides a bridge of research funding once they land an independent faculty role, with the specific expectation that the research involves independent basic experimental studies in humans.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent 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): 93.113, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.361, 93.398, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• 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 24 195

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