Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 090
The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00) is a two-phase NIH grant meant to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move more quickly and securely into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty careers. Its central goal is to grow and sustain a strong pipeline of new NIH-supported investigators by funding the critical transition period when a researcher is shifting from mentored postdoctoral training to running an independent research program. In practice, the award supports a candidate first in a mentored phase (the K99 portion) and then, once they secure an eligible independent faculty position, in an independent phase (the R00 portion). This structure is intended to reduce the career gap that can occur between postdoctoral training and the first independent research grant, giving awardees a clearer runway to establish themselves, generate strong data, publish, and compete successfully for subsequent NIH funding.
This specific Funding Opportunity Announcement (PA-19-090) is tailored for applicants whose work involves what NIH classifies as a clinical trial but is still considered basic research. It is aimed at researchers proposing to lead independent basic experimental studies with humans, described in NIH guidance as "prospective basic science studies involving human participants." These are studies where human participants are prospectively assigned to conditions, meaning the investigator actively manipulates an independent variable (for example, assigning participants to different task conditions, exposures, stimuli, or experimentally controlled environments) and then measures biomedical or behavioral outcomes. The key point is that the purpose is to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena, not to test a product, treatment, or process with a direct practical application in mind. If the intent of the study is more applied, such as evaluating an intervention or product with a specific practical or translational goal, NIH directs applicants to use the companion announcement (PA-18-397) instead.
Eligibility in the posted summary spans a wide set of organizational applicant types across government, academic, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. It also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category listing); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses, along with other applicant categories NIH may allow under its general policies. The opportunity also explicitly highlights participation from institutions and organizations that serve specific communities, such as 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, NIH places clear limits on foreign involvement at the applicant-organization level. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant institution can include certain types of well-justified foreign collaboration or activities under NIH rules, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), listed under multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting that different NIH Institutes and Centers may participate and support awards under their missions. The posting notes an original closing date of 2020-05-07 and a creation date of 2018-11-28. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants must refer to the full FOA text and relevant NIH Institute/Center participation details for budget structure, duration limits, and Institute-specific policies.
Overall, this K99/R00 FOA is best understood as a career acceleration mechanism for top postdoctoral candidates who are ready to build independence and who plan to run rigorous basic experimental studies in humans that meet the NIH clinical trial definition but are fundamentally mechanistic rather than applied. It funds both the final stage of mentored development and the initial launch of an independent lab or research program, with the explicit intent of producing competitive, long-term NIH-funded investigators.Apply for PA 19 090
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" 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, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-11-28.
- 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.
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FAQs: NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00) - Clinical Trial Required, Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (PA-19-090)
1) What is the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)?
The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00) is a two-phase NIH grant designed to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers transition more quickly and securely into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty careers. It supports a mentored postdoctoral phase (K99) followed by an independent phase (R00) once the awardee obtains an eligible independent faculty position.
2) What is the main purpose of this award?
The central goal is to strengthen the pipeline of new NIH-supported investigators by funding the critical career transition from mentored postdoctoral training to running an independent research program. The structure aims to reduce the gap between postdoctoral training and the first independent research grant by providing a clearer runway to establish independence, generate data, publish, and compete for later NIH funding.
3) What does "two-phase" mean in practice?
This award is split into:
- K99 (Mentored phase): Supports the candidate while they are completing mentored postdoctoral research and career development.
- R00 (Independent phase): Activates after the candidate secures an eligible independent faculty position, supporting the launch of their independent research program.
4) What Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is described here?
The FOA referenced is PA-19-090. It is a specific version of the Parent K99/R00 tailored for applicants whose proposed work meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial but is considered basic research.
5) Who is this FOA intended for?
It is intended for postdoctoral researchers who are ready to move toward independence and who propose to lead independent basic experimental studies with humans that fall under NIH's clinical trial definition.
6) Why does this FOA mention "clinical trial" if the research is basic research?
NIH classifies certain prospective human studies as clinical trials when participants are assigned to conditions and outcomes are measured. PA-19-090 is specifically for cases where the study design meets the clinical trial definition, but the scientific intent is to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena (basic research), rather than to evaluate an applied intervention or product.
7) What kinds of studies does NIH describe as "prospective basic science studies involving human participants"?
These are studies where human participants are prospectively assigned to conditions, meaning the investigator actively manipulates an independent variable and then measures biomedical or behavioral outcomes. Examples of assignment/manipulation described include assigning participants to different task conditions, exposures, stimuli, or experimentally controlled environments, with the purpose of understanding underlying mechanisms.
8) What is the key distinction between this FOA and a more applied clinical trial?
The key distinction is the purpose of the study. Under this FOA, the goal is to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena. If the intent is more applied (for example, testing a product, treatment, or process with a practical or translational goal), NIH directs applicants to a companion announcement instead.
9) When should an applicant use the companion announcement PA-18-397 instead?
If the proposed study is more applied in intent, such as evaluating an intervention or product with a specific practical or translational aim, NIH indicates the companion FOA PA-18-397 should be used rather than PA-19-090.
10) What types of organizations are eligible to apply (as the applicant organization)?
The eligibility summary includes a broad range of U.S.-based organizational types across government, academic, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as listed in the summary, excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit listing)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other categories NIH may allow under its general policies
11) Does the opportunity encourage applications from specific institution types or communities?
Yes. The posting explicitly highlights participation from organizations that serve specific communities and other eligible entities, 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)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
- U.S. territories or possessions
12) Are foreign organizations eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization under this opportunity.
13) Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply as the applicant?
No. The posting states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
14) Is any foreign involvement allowed at all?
Yes, in a limited way. While foreign institutions cannot be the primary applicant, the opportunity allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. That means a U.S.-based applicant institution may include certain well-justified foreign collaboration or activities under NIH rules, even though a foreign organization cannot be the primary applicant.
15) What kind of grant mechanism is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
16) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
17) Why are multiple CFDA numbers listed for this opportunity?
Multiple CFDA numbers are listed (93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867) because different NIH Institutes and Centers may participate and support awards under their missions.
18) Are the award ceiling and expected number of awards provided in the summary?
No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data. In situations like this, applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text and relevant NIH Institute/Center participation details for budget structure, duration limits, and Institute-specific policies.
19) What dates are included in the posting summary?
The summary notes a creation date of 2018-11-28 and an original closing date of 2020-05-07.
20) What is the overall "best fit" profile for PA-19-090 based on the summary?
This FOA is best suited for top postdoctoral candidates who are ready to build independence and plan to conduct rigorous basic experimental studies in humans that meet NIH's clinical trial definition but are mechanistic rather than applied. It is positioned as a career acceleration mechanism that funds both the final mentored stage and the initial launch of an independent research program, with the intent of producing competitive, long-term NIH-funded investigators.
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| HEAL Initiative: HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HEALthy BCD) (Collaborative R34- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 029 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 134 Funding Number: PAR 19 134 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HEALthy BCD) ( R34- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 036 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $225,000 |
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| PHS 2019-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required Apply for PA 19 273 Funding Number: PA 19 273 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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