Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 20 203
The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08, Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH career development grant designed to help clinically trained professionals become independent, productive researchers in areas that matter to public health. Its central goal is workforce development: it supports individuals who already have a clinical doctoral degree and need a structured, mentored period of intensive research training to launch a long-term research career. The K08 mechanism is meant to provide both financial support and protected time away from heavy clinical or other duties so the awardee can focus on building deep research skills, producing publishable work, and positioning themselves to compete successfully for future independent research funding.
This opportunity emphasizes mentored, supervised career development in biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research. In practical terms, that means the award is intended for people who will work closely with one or more experienced research mentors and follow a well-defined career development plan that strengthens their scientific expertise, research methods, and professional trajectory. The expectation is that the candidate uses the K08 period to grow from a clinically trained professional with research potential into an investigator capable of leading a research program that addresses important health-related needs in the United States.
A key constraint is built into the title: independent clinical trials are not allowed under this parent K08 announcement. In other words, the award is not meant to serve as the primary support for an applicant to independently run a clinical trial as the main project. The focus is on mentored research and career development rather than leading an independent clinical trial. (Foreign components may be allowed under NIH policy definitions, but the award is still framed as a mentored career development activity rather than a mechanism to independently conduct a full clinical trial.)
Eligibility to apply is broad at the organizational level, spanning many types of U.S.-based institutions and entities that can serve as the applicant organization and host the candidate. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible, including public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are included as well, such as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The opportunity also allows applications from nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. NIH also highlights additional categories of eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal government agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.
There are important limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the main applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. At the same time, NIH notes that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This typically means a U.S.-based applicant organization may propose certain well-justified international elements or collaborations that meet NIH requirements, but the applicant institution itself must be domestic.
Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant program (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under Funding Opportunity Number PA-20-203, titled "Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)." The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers, reflecting that many NIH Institutes and Centers can use the parent K08 mechanism to support career development aligned with their missions. The listing includes, among others: 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.398, and several others across NIH. The source data indicates an original closing date of 2024-05-07, and it does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, which is common for broad parent announcements that may depend on institute budgets and the volume and quality of applications received.
Overall, this K08 opportunity is best understood as a mentored career launchpad for clinician-scientists: it funds a protected, mentor-guided period of research and training so the recipient can develop the expertise, track record, and independence needed to become a sustained contributor to the nation’s health-related research enterprise, while explicitly not serving as a vehicle for running an independent clinical trial as the core activity.Apply for PA 20 203
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-05-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08)?
The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08) is an NIH career development grant designed to help clinically trained professionals develop into independent, productive researchers in areas important to public health. It supports a mentored period of intensive research training intended to launch a long-term research career.
What is the main goal of this K08 opportunity?
The central goal is workforce development. The award supports people who already hold a clinical doctoral degree and who need structured, supervised research training and protected time to build research skills, generate publishable results, and become competitive for future independent research funding.
Who is this K08 award intended for?
This opportunity is intended for clinically trained professionals (people with a clinical doctoral degree) who show research potential and who would benefit from a mentored, well-structured research and career development plan to transition toward research independence.
What does "mentored" mean in the context of the K08?
"Mentored" means the candidate is expected to work closely with one or more experienced research mentors. The application should be built around a supervised career development experience with a defined plan to strengthen scientific expertise, research methods, and professional trajectory.
What kinds of research does this K08 support?
The opportunity emphasizes mentored, supervised career development in biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research, as part of a broader plan to build the candidate into an independent investigator.
What does the award provide to help recipients build their careers?
The K08 mechanism is meant to provide financial support and protected time away from heavy clinical or other duties so the awardee can focus on developing deep research skills, producing publishable work, and preparing to compete for independent research funding later.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean?
It means the K08 is not intended to be used as the primary support for the candidate to independently run a clinical trial as the main project. The emphasis is on mentored research and career development rather than leading an independent clinical trial.
Can a K08 applicant propose a clinical trial as the main activity?
Based on the opportunity description, no. The award explicitly states independent clinical trials are not allowed as the core activity under this parent K08 announcement.
Is the K08 focused more on career development or on running a large standalone project?
This K08 is framed as a mentored career development “launchpad.” The expectation is that the candidate uses the award period to grow into an investigator capable of leading a research program, rather than using it primarily to support a major independent clinical trial.
What is the expected outcome for the candidate by the end of the K08 period?
The expectation is that the candidate will progress from a clinically trained professional with research potential into an investigator capable of leading a research program that addresses important U.S. health-related needs, with stronger methods, expertise, and a track record that supports future independent funding.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-20-203.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The title is "Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
Which agency sponsors this grant opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding instrument is used?
It is an NIH discretionary grant program. The funding instrument type is a Grant.
Which organizations are eligible to apply as the applicant/host institution?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based institutions and entities that can serve as the applicant organization and host the candidate. Examples listed include:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Public/state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations (not federally recognized)
- Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Eligible federal government agencies
- U.S. territories or possessions
Does NIH highlight any additional categories of eligible applicants?
Yes. The opportunity highlights additional eligible applicant categories including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the main applicant organization.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply as the applicant?
No. The description states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant.
Are any international or overseas activities allowed at all?
Yes, potentially. The description notes that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This generally means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based, but certain well-justified international elements or collaborations may be included if they meet NIH policy requirements.
What are CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers, and which ones are associated with this K08?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers, reflecting that multiple NIH Institutes and Centers can use the parent K08 mechanism to support career development aligned with their missions. The excerpt lists examples including 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, and 93.398 (among others).
Does the opportunity specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. In the provided information, an award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified. The excerpt notes this is common for broad parent announcements where awards may depend on institute budgets and the number and quality of applications.
What is the closing date mentioned for this opportunity?
The source data indicates an original closing date of 2024-05-07.
Is this K08 best described as a career launch award for clinician-scientists?
Yes. Based on the description provided, it is best understood as a mentored career launchpad for clinician-scientists that funds a protected, mentor-guided period of research and training to build expertise, a publication track record, and readiness for independent research funding, while not serving as a mechanism to run an independent clinical trial as the core activity.
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Previous opportunity: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
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| Administrative Supplement for Research on Dietary Supplements (Admin Supp-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 227 Funding Number: PA 20 227 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) Apply for PA 20 242 Funding Number: PA 20 242 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Apply for PA 20 246 Funding Number: PA 20 246 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 20 245 Funding Number: PA 20 245 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 20 248 Funding Number: PA 20 248 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31-Diversity) Apply for PA 20 251 Funding Number: PA 20 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 20 261 Funding Number: PA 20 261 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 260 Funding Number: PA 20 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Successor-in-Interest (Type 6 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 20 275 Funding Number: PA 20 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Apply for PA 21 051 Funding Number: PA 21 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 050 Funding Number: PA 21 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31-Diversity) Apply for PA 21 052 Funding Number: PA 21 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 049 Funding Number: PA 21 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) Apply for PA 21 048 Funding Number: PA 21 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 038 Funding Number: PAR 21 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 071 Funding Number: PA 21 071 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 21 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 21 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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