The goal of the NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Career Development Award (K08) program is to prepare individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation. This program represents the continuation of a long-standing NIH program that provides support and protected time to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree or a health professional doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience in the fields of biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research. This NCI-sponsored K08 award is specifically designed to support clinical scientists from diverse backgrounds who bring unique perspectives shaped by their life experiences, geographic location, socioeconomic status, academic training, professional experience, disability status, military service, career stage, institutional affiliation, cultural background, and other factors that contribute to a diverse and inclusive research workforce (NOT-OD-20-031), and who are committed to a career in basic biomedical, clinical, behavioral or translational cancer research, including research on cancer health disparities. The expectation is that through this sustained period of research career development and training, awardees will develop enhanced research capabilities for cancer research careers and be better prepared to compete for research project grants (e.g. R03, R21, or R01) funding.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically to support candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Candidates seeking support through this NOFO are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Those proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should apply to the companion NOFO (PAR-24-319).
- K Series Deadlines: Feb. 12, Jun. 12, Oct. 12.
PAR-24-320 Expiration Date November 13, 2027
Current and former PDs/PIs on NIH research project (R01), program project (P01), center grants (P50), or Project Leads of program project (P01), or center grants (P50), other major individual career development awards (e.g., DP5, K01, K07, K08, K22, K23, K25, K76, K99/R00), or Project Leads of program project (P01) or center grants (P50) or the equivalent are not eligible. Current and former PDs/PIs of an NIH Small Grant (R03), Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21/R33), Planning Grant (R34/U34), Dissertation Award (R36), or SBIR/STTR (R41, R42, R43, R44) remain eligible, as do PD/PIs of Transition Scholar (K38) awards and individuals appointed to institutional K programs (K12, KL2).
Candidates for the K08 award must have a clinical doctoral degree. Such degrees include, but are not limited to, the MD, DO, DDS, DMD, OD, DC, PharmD, ND (Doctor of Naturopathy), and DVM. Individuals with the PhD or other doctoral degree in clinical disciplines such as clinical psychology, nursing, clinical genetics, speech-language pathology, audiology or rehabilitation are also eligible. Individuals holding the PhD in a non-clinical discipline who are certified to perform clinical duties should contact the appropriate Institute concerning their eligibility for a K08 award.
Candidates must hold early-stage investigator status.