NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) is a program that aims to support and maintain a substantial group of talented and new independent investigators. It is particularly suitable for postdoctoral fellows who possess research or clinical doctoral degrees and who don't need extensive mentored research training following their doctoral education.

The purpose of this award is to ensure a timely shift from a mentored, postdoctoral research role to an independent faculty position, either through a tenure-track or an equivalent. The program offers independent NCI research support during this shift to aid recipients in establishing competitive and independent research careers.

The program is especially suited to researchers specializing in cancer control, prevention, and data sciences, and researchers are urged to coordinate with their institutions when applying for the program.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this award is specifically tailored for candidates who are not proposing to lead an independent clinical trial, a feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. However, it does allow for candidates to propose research experience within a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

Those wishing to propose a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigators should instead apply to the companion NOFOs (PAR-23-287 or PAR-23-288).