NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're a postdoc ready to lead your own cancer clinical trial and transition to faculty, this grant covers both your mentored training and independent launch phases.
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What this is
The K99/R00 is a two-phase award specifically for postdocs with doctoral degrees (MD, PhD, or equivalent) who are ready to launch independent research careers in cancer control, prevention, or data sciences. This version requires that applicants serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, feasibility study, or ancillary trial—not just participate in someone else's trial. The grant funds both the mentored phase (K99, typically 2 years) and the independent phase (R00, typically 3 years) to bridge the gap to tenure-track faculty positions.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a research or clinical doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DVM, DDS, or equivalent) and be in or transitioning from a postdoctoral position. Your institution must be eligible (includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, public and private universities, small businesses, and state/tribal governments). You must propose to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, feasibility study, or ancillary trial.
Eligible applicant types
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Special district governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- State governments
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- City or township governments
- Small businesses
- County governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Full description — from the agency
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).
Topics: postdoctoral researcher · cancer research · clinical trial · career development · independence award · mentorship transition
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.