NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 25 313

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.

• 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.

Apply for PAR 25 313

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