National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 14, 2026 · 8 days left
- Award size
- Not specified — see notice
- Cost share / match
- Not required
- Who can apply
- Tribal organization, Private college or university, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Other (see eligibility), Larger business, County government, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), School district, Tribal government, State government, City or town government, Public college or university, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Small business
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. The deadline is in 8 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Only 8 days left to apply
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 25
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
About this grant
The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require an extended period of mentored research training beyond their doctoral degrees. The objective of this award is to facilitate a timely transition of these fellows from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to work with their institutions to apply.
This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development. Those not planning an independent clinical trial, or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, must apply to the 'Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed' companion NOFO (PAR-23-286).
Eligibility (from the notice)
Other Eligible Applicants include the following:
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
25 awards to Tennessee recipients in 2 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $13.9M | 2001 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $7.6M | 2008 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.6M | 1997 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.3M | 1987 |
| St Jude Children'S Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $6.2M | 1978 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $5.3M | 2004 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $3.8M | 2017 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $2.7M | 2018 |
| St Jude Children'S Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $2.4M | 2018 |
| St Jude Children'S Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $2M | 2019 |
| St Jude Children'S Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $1.3M | 2020 |
| St Jude Children'S Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $1.2M | 2021 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (93.398)
Cancer Research Manpower — Cancer Manpower Grants
How applications are judged
The major elements in evaluating proposals include the assessment of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.