International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) - Independent Clinical Trial Required | PAR 18 540

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 540

The International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) is a National Institutes of Health career development grant meant to help early-career U.S. researchers build a long-term, independent global health research career. It is designed for advanced postdoctoral scientists and recently appointed junior faculty who are at least two years beyond receiving their doctoral degree. The award provides substantial protected time and support for an extended mentored experience, typically lasting three to five years, with the goal of positioning the investigator to compete successfully for independent research funding focused on global health.

A central feature of this opportunity is that the research and training experience must be grounded in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) as classified by the World Bank, including low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries. The proposed project should be directly relevant to the health priorities of the LMIC setting, and applicants are expected to develop their research trajectory through close mentorship from both a U.S.-based mentor and an LMIC-based mentor. In practice, this means the application should clearly link the candidate's career development plan, the scientific project, and the on-the-ground LMIC research environment in a way that strengthens the candidate's independence and credibility as a global health investigator.

This particular FOA is specifically intended for applicants who will be the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial as part of their career development. It also allows applicants to lead a clinical trial feasibility study or to conduct a separate ancillary study connected to an existing clinical trial, as long as the applicant is leading that ancillary work in an independent and clearly defined way. If a candidate is not proposing to lead an independent clinical trial and instead wants clinical trial experience under another investigator's trial, they are directed to apply under the companion FOA (PAR-18-MMM) rather than this one. In other words, the key dividing line is leadership and responsibility: this FOA is for those taking on the role of lead investigator for the clinical trial or trial-related study.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. applicant organizations, such as public or state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with certain other eligible entities. The FOA explicitly notes additional eligible applicant types that commonly align with NIH efforts to broaden participation, including 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed under NIH policy, which supports the practical reality that substantial parts of the work and collaboration may occur in the LMIC setting.

Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism within the education and health activity categories and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.398 and 93.989. The opportunity is listed as PAR-18-540, with an original closing date of March 6, 2020, and it was created on December 21, 2017. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants typically would need to consult the full FOA and NIH institute or center guidance for budget structure, allowable costs, and anticipated funding levels. Overall, the program is best understood as a structured pathway for promising U.S. early-career investigators to gain deep, mentored, LMIC-based clinical trial leadership experience and transition toward an independently funded global health research program.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) - Independent 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, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 18 540

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