NIAID Physician-Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) | PAR 17 329

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 329

The NIAID Physician-Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) is an NIH grant program from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases designed to help clinically trained postdoctoral researchers move more quickly and successfully into independent academic research careers. Its central goal is to build and sustain a strong pipeline of physician-scientists by supporting the critical transition period between a mentored postdoctoral phase and the start of an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position. By providing structured, phased support across that transition, NIAID aims to help early-career physician-scientists establish competitive, independent research programs in biomedical and health-related fields and to address the broader national shortage of physician-scientists.

The award uses the K99/R00 mechanism, which is specifically intended for a two-stage career progression. The first stage (K99) supports a mentored postdoctoral period where the candidate continues to build research expertise, publish, and develop a clear plan for independence with guidance from established investigators. The second stage (R00) provides support after the individual secures an independent faculty position, helping them launch their own lab or research program and compete effectively for longer-term research funding. In practice, this structure is meant to reduce the gap between training and independence by giving promising clinician-researchers both a defined runway and early independent funding once they are hired into an appropriate faculty role.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health area, administered by NIH/NIAID, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 and 93.856. The funding opportunity is identified as PAR-17-329, created on July 20, 2017, with an original closing date listed as May 7, 2020. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full NIH announcement and budget guidelines for detailed financial limits, allowed costs, and project period rules.

Eligibility to apply is broad at the organizational level and includes many types of U.S.-based institutions and entities. Eligible applicants listed include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including counties, cities or townships, special districts, and independent school districts), federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may include certain well-justified foreign activities or collaborations within the project under NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the primary applicant.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a career-launch mechanism for outstanding postdoctoral physician-scientists: it is meant to support them first in a mentored environment and then, once they obtain a qualifying independent faculty position, to provide independent research support that helps them establish a durable, competitive research trajectory in areas aligned with NIAID’s biomedical mission.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIAID Physician-Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855, 93.856.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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.

Apply for PAR 17 329

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