NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
Designed for dentist scientists with dual degrees ready to transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent tenure-track research careers in oral health.
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What this is
This K99/R00 award targets dual-degree dentist scientists (DDS/DMD + PhD) seeking to establish independent research careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. The program provides up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral training and 3–5 years of independent research funding, with flexibility for dental specialty clinical training (up to 3 person-months/year at 25% effort) during the R00 phase. This is a high-investment pathway for early-career dentist researchers ready to transition to tenure-track positions.
Who can apply
Applicants must be dentist scientists (DDS/DMD + PhD or equivalent) in mentored postdoctoral positions. Eligible institutions include universities, nonprofits, small businesses, and government organizations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents affiliated with an eligible institution.
Eligible applicant types
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- State governments
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- County governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- City or township governments
Full description — from the agency
The purpose of the NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to develop and maintain a strong cohort of independently funded dentist scientists dedicated to improving dental, oral and craniofacial health. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding dual degree dentist scientists from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions by providing support for two years of mentored training and three to five years of independent research. An option for five years of independent (R00) support is available to accommodate clinical training in a dental specialty program at no more than 3 person-months effort (25% full-time professional effort) in any year of the R00 phase.
Topics: dental research · dentist scientist · postdoctoral training · oral health · craniofacial research · career transition · K99/R00
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.