NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Broad Participation in Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 022

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 022

The NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Broad Participation in Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health career development grant designed to build and diversify the dental, oral, and craniofacial research workforce. Its central goal is to expand the pool of highly trained postdoctoral fellows and early career faculty who are committed to research in these fields by giving them a sustained period of protected time to develop as independent investigators. The award is structured around mentored career development, meaning the applicant is expected to pursue an intensive, individualized research and training plan under the close guidance of an experienced mentor, with the long-term objective of positioning the awardee to compete successfully for independent research funding.

This opportunity provides support in two main ways: salary support to protect the recipient s time for research and career development, and research support to help carry out the proposed project and associated training activities. The emphasis is not simply on completing a single research study, but on building a durable foundation of skills, publications, preliminary data, collaborations, and professional development that will support an independent research trajectory. Because this is a mentored K01, applicants typically propose a structured plan that integrates research aims with career development activities such as advanced methodological training, responsible conduct of research, grant writing experience, manuscript development, and other activities that strengthen scientific independence.

A key feature of this particular K01 is the clinical trial restriction captured in the title: Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed. In practical terms, the award is not intended for applicants proposing to lead an independent clinical trial as the primary driver of the project. The research and training plan should align with the NIH definition of what is permitted under this restriction (for example, many NIH mechanisms allow clinical research that does not meet the definition of an independent clinical trial, or allow work with existing clinical trial data or ancillary studies depending on program rules). Applicants need to shape their proposed work so it fits the FOA requirements, especially if the research involves human participants.

Eligibility to apply is broad on the organizational side, reflecting an intent to reach a wide range of institutions and communities. Eligible applicant organizations include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when categorized that way); for profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants 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, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, Indian or Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This framing underscores the program s interest in broad participation and in strengthening research career pathways across many different institutional settings.

At the same time, there are clear limits regarding foreign involvement. Non domestic (non U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization may include a foreign component in the project when scientifically justified and consistent with NIH policy, even though a foreign organization cannot serve as the primary applicant.

Administratively, this opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health under the Health funding activity category, with CFDA number 93.121. It is a discretionary grant program using the grant funding instrument type. The funding opportunity number is PAR 25 022, and the opportunity was created on 2024 07 16. The original closing date listed is 2028 01 07, indicating a long application window typical of NIH parent or program announcements with recurring due dates. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided information, and the expected number of awards is not listed here, so applicants would normally rely on the full FOA and NIDCR budget guidance for specifics about allowable salary levels, research development costs, and the project period structure.

Overall, this K01 is best understood as a mentored runway for promising early stage dental, oral, and craniofacial researchers who need time, support, and structured mentorship to build the expertise and track record required for independence. The program is explicitly oriented toward strengthening and broadening participation in the research workforce, while providing a stable, multi year period of protected effort to develop research skills, produce publishable science, and transition into independent funding.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Broad Participation in Research (K01 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): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 25 022

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