Brief Description
The K99/R00 mechanism is meant to assist in a smooth transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers or clinician-scientists from mentored research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. It also provides independent NIH research support during the transition with the goal of helping award recipients launch competitive, independent research careers.
Eligibility
The K99/R00 is open to U.S. citizens or non-citizens, with research or clinical doctoral degree, and no more than 4 years of Post-Doctoral research experience, working at US domestic institutions.
Why is it called K99/R00?
The K99/R00 provides up to 5 years of support in two phases: The initial (K99) phase will provide support for up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral career development. The second (R00) phase will provide up to 3 years of independent research support, which is contingent on satisfactory progress during the K99 phase and an approved, independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position.
What FOAs support the F99/K00?
- NIH Parent FOAs
NIH has three parent Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), two that support work with human subjects and another which does not allow it.
**Not every I&C participates in these FOAs. Applicants need to review their intended FOA carefully**
Of the two FOAs that allow human subjects work, the basic distinction is whether the applicant is proposing to lead the clinical trial.
PA-20-187: Independent Clinical Trial required. This opportunity is designed specifically for applicants 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.
PA-20-189: Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required is for basic science experimental studies involving humans, referred to as “prospective basic science studies involving human participants.” These studies fall within the NIH definition of a clinical trial and also meet the definition of basic research. Types of studies that should be submitted under this FOA include studies that prospectively assign human participants to conditions (i.e., experimentally manipulate independent variables) and that assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes in humans for the purpose of understanding the fundamental aspects of phenomena without specific application towards processes or products in mind.
PA-20-188: Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial.
- Institutes & Centers issue their own K99/R00 FOAs
Use the NIH Funding search for K99/R00: https://grants.nih.gov/funding/searchguide/index.html#/
What are appropriate activities to be involved in during the 1st phase?
I think there are two things to keep in mind as far as appropriate activities go:
- That you have applied to the appropriate FOA based on whether you will be leading a clinical trial or not, for example
- That the first phase is mentored
Aside from that, the activities should be based on your proposed study. The goal of the K99/R00 is to position postdocs to become independent researchers and facilitate that transition, so the award recipient carrying out research like they will eventually do independently (again, mentored in Phase 1) is appropriate.
Typical activities for the K99 phase would be activities to increase your knowledge in a scientific area or a technical skill (e.g., a short course, workshop, seminar, time spent in a mentor’s lab, etc); attendance and presentation at meetings; and training in “soft skills” (e.g., courses/workshops/mentoring in grantwriting, manuscript writing, lab management, mentoring, etc).
Whenever possible, ask your pre-award support office or a colleague to share a recent example of an application to this mechanism. It can help enormously to see an example or two, as you plan and write.
How much salary does the K99/R00 cover?
This varies by I&C. Some I&Cs cover up to $75,000 plus fringe while others cover up to $100,000 plus fringe.
Would getting a K99/R00 affect my ESI status?
No. Investigators can receive a R00 and still retain ESI status. (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/list-smaller-grants.htm)
Just in case someone doesn’t know, an ESI is a Program Director/Principal Investigator who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as a PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award.
Does NIH have resources for investigators interested in the K99/R00?
