Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're a scientist pivoting to a new research field or returning after a gap, get 3–5 years of protected mentorship time to establish independence—but only if you're not leading your own clinical trial.
Report stale or inaccurate summary
What this is
This NIH K01 is a career-development grant designed for researchers transitioning into biomedical, behavioral, or clinical science research, or those returning after a career gap. It provides 3–5 years of protected time and mentorship to build research independence and preliminary data, but excludes applicants who plan to lead their own independent clinical trials (those should apply to the companion FOA). Eligible organizations range from universities and nonprofits to small businesses and government entities.
Who can apply
Universities (public and private), nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, tribal organizations, state/local governments, and other institutions are eligible. Applicants must be early-career researchers not leading independent clinical trials; those planning such trials should use the companion FOA instead.
Eligible applicant types
- Private institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- City or township governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- State governments
- Small businesses
Full description — from the agency
The purpose of the NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide support and protected time (three to five years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Although all of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) use this support mechanism to support career development experiences that lead to research independence, some ICs use the K01 award for individuals who propose to train in a new field or for individuals who have had a hiatus in their research career because of illness or pressing family circumstances. Other ICs use the K01 to support career development in specific fields. 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 a separate ancillary clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Applicants proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should apply to the companion NOFO.
Topics: career development grant · mentored research award · biomedical sciences · research independence · nih k01
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.