The Mentored Career Transition Award for NIMH Intramural Fellows (K22) is a two-phase, mentored career development award program that is intended to facilitate a timely transition of qualified postdoctoral fellows in the NIMH Division of Intramural Programs (DIRP) from intramural postdoctoral research positions to extramural, academic tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions at eligible U.S. institutions. Both the intramural and extramural phases will be mentored, and the award will provide research support during the extramural phase to help awardees launch competitive, independent research programs.
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Applicants to this NOFO are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Applicants proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator should apply to the companion NOFO, PAR-23-150. Applicants to this NOFO are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
K Series Deadlines: Feb. 12, Jun. 12, Oct. 12
PA-23-149 Expiration Date March 13, 2026
K22 applicants must have no more than 6 years of postdoctoral experience at the time of the initial or the subsequent resubmission application, and must currently be conducting research as a postdoctoral fellow (i.e., clinical fellow, research fellow, IRTA postdoctoral fellow) in the NIMH DIRP (see https://oir.nih.gov/sourcebook/personnel/ipds-appointment-mechanisms). Time spent in clinical training during residency or clinical specialty is not counted towards K22 eligibility. Time spent in research training during these periods is counted toward K22 eligibility. Parental leave or other well-justified leave for personal or family situations of generally less than 12-months duration (e.g., family care responsibilities, disability or illness, active military duty) is not included in the 6-year eligibility limit. Part-time postdoctoral research, related to personal or family situations or occurring during a research residency or fellowship, will be pro-rated accordingly. In addition, time spent conducting required postgraduate clinical activities that do not involve research is not considered part of the 6-year eligibility limit.
The K22 award is intended for individuals with career-stage appropriate research experience, and who require up to an additional five years of mentored research and career development. Consequently, the strongest applicants will require, and will propose, a well-conceived plan for substantive mentored research and career development that will help them become competitive candidates for tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions and to launch robust, independent research programs. If an applicant achieves research independence (any faculty or equivalent independent research position) before the intramural phase K22 award is made, neither phase of the K22 award will be made.
Candidates for the K22 award must have a clinical or research doctorate (including PhD, MD, DO, DC, ND, DDS, DVM, ScD, DNS, PharmD, or equivalent doctoral degree), or a combined clinical and research doctoral degree.
