Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 313
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required), funding opportunity number PAR-25-313 (CFDA 93.398), is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move more quickly and successfully into independent faculty careers. The core goal is to bridge the gap between mentored postdoctoral training and a tenure-track (or equivalent) independent research position by providing structured support across two phases: an initial mentored career development period (the K99 phase) followed by an independent research phase (the R00 phase). In practical terms, the award is meant to give promising early-career cancer researchers enough protected time, resources, and continuity of funding to build a strong scientific niche and become competitive for long-term independent funding.
This specific announcement is labeled “Clinical Trial Required,” which signals that the proposed research must include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and the terms of the opportunity. Applicants should interpret this as an expectation that the project will involve prospective assignment of human participants to an intervention (or other clinical trial-qualifying design elements), with outcomes evaluated in a structured way. Because the opportunity explicitly requires a clinical trial, applicants need a plan and training environment that genuinely support clinical research execution, including appropriate oversight, regulatory compliance, and access to the necessary patient populations, data systems, and multidisciplinary collaborators.
Eligibility for applicants (institutions and organizations) is broad and includes many domestic organization types: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights additional categories of eligible applicants 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 agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly states that 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, which effectively limits the applicant organization and project components to domestic settings.
From a timing standpoint, the opportunity was created on January 14, 2025, and lists an original closing date of October 14, 2027. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided source details, so prospective applicants typically need to consult the full funding opportunity announcement and NIH budget guidelines for the relevant limits, allowable costs, and any NCI-specific expectations about effort, salary support, and research expenses.
Overall, PAR-25-313 is best understood as a career transition mechanism: it supports late-stage postdocs who are ready to move beyond mentored training but still benefit from a short runway of protected development time, then provides a funded launch into independence once a suitable faculty (or equivalent) position is secured. The focus on cancer research, combined with the clinical trial requirement, makes it particularly relevant for physician-scientists and other translational investigators who can credibly lead or meaningfully contribute to clinical trial work while establishing an independent research program.Apply for PAR 25 313
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial 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 2025-01-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-10-14.
- 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.
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FAQs: NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required) - PAR-25-313
What is PAR-25-313?
PAR-25-313 is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required). It is a discretionary NIH grant program intended to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers transition more quickly and successfully into independent faculty (or equivalent) research careers.
What is the purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)?
The purpose is to bridge the gap between mentored postdoctoral training and an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) research position. It does this by providing structured support in two phases: a mentored career development phase (K99) followed by an independent research phase (R00).
How does the K99/R00 structure work?
The award is split into two sequential phases:
- K99 phase: an initial mentored career development period meant to provide protected time, resources, and structured training.
- R00 phase: an independent research phase intended to support the awardee after they secure an independent faculty position (or equivalent), helping launch their independent program with continuity of funding.
What does "Clinical Trial Required" mean for this opportunity?
"Clinical Trial Required" indicates the proposed research must include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and the terms of the opportunity. The description emphasizes that applicants should treat this as an expectation that the project includes prospective assignment of human participants to an intervention (or other clinical trial-qualifying design elements), with outcomes evaluated in a structured way.
Does the project have to include human participants?
Based on the stated interpretation of the clinical trial requirement (prospective assignment of human participants and structured outcome evaluation), the project is expected to involve human participants in a way that meets NIH clinical trial definitions.
What kinds of research environments are expected for a clinical trial-required application?
The opportunity emphasizes that applicants need a plan and training environment that genuinely support clinical research execution. Examples of the capacities described include appropriate oversight, regulatory compliance, access to necessary patient populations, data systems, and multidisciplinary collaborators.
What career stage is this award designed to support?
This award is described as a career transition mechanism intended for late-stage postdoctoral researchers who are ready to move beyond mentored training but would benefit from a short runway of protected development time before launching fully independent work.
What is the main career outcome the program is trying to enable?
The program aims to accelerate and strengthen the transition into an independent faculty (or equivalent) career by helping awardees build a strong scientific niche and become competitive for long-term independent funding.
Is this opportunity focused on a particular disease or field?
Yes. It is an NCI program and is described as focused on cancer research, with an added emphasis that the project must include a clinical trial component.
Who is this award especially relevant for?
The opportunity is described as particularly relevant for physician-scientists and other translational investigators who can credibly lead or meaningfully contribute to clinical trial work while establishing an independent research program.
What types of applicant organizations are eligible?
Eligibility is broad across many domestic (U.S.) organization types. The provided information lists eligibility that includes:
- State, county, city/township, and special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments)
- Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other eligible entities
Are there specific institution categories called out as eligible?
Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible applicant categories, 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)
- Eligible federal agencies
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones
- U.S. territories or possessions
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. The provided information states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include non-U.S. project components?
No. The information states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, meaning the applicant organization and project components are effectively limited to domestic settings.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-25-313 and the CFDA number listed is 93.398.
When was this opportunity created and when does it close?
The opportunity was created on January 14, 2025, and it lists an original closing date of October 14, 2027.
Is there an award ceiling or expected number of awards listed here?
No. The provided details do not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
Where should applicants look for budget limits and allowable costs?
The provided information indicates that prospective applicants typically need to consult the full funding opportunity announcement and NIH budget guidelines for relevant limits, allowable costs, and any NCI-specific expectations about effort, salary support, and research expenses.
What kinds of support does the award aim to provide to applicants?
In practical terms, the award is intended to provide protected time, resources, and continuity of funding across the mentored-to-independent transition, enabling early-career cancer researchers to establish a strong niche and increase competitiveness for long-term independent funding.
What is the core idea behind the "pathway to independence" concept?
The core concept is that a structured, funded bridge across two phases (mentored training and independent research) can reduce the risk and timing gap between postdoctoral training and the start of a stable independent research career.
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