Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 09 038
Apply for PA 09 038
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Scientist Award (K02)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.233 National Center on Sleep Disorders Research 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.281 Mental Health Research Career/Scientist Development Awards 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research 93.838 Lung Diseases Research 93.839 Blood Diseases and Resources Research 93.846 Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.855 Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research 93.856 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 17, 2009 and posted on Dec 12, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02), listed under Funding Opportunity Announcement PA 09 038, is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism designed to strengthen the careers of newly independent scientists who are positioned to become major contributors in their research fields. Its central aim is career consolidation and growth at a critical stage: after a researcher has achieved independence but still needs a sustained stretch of protected research time to sharpen focus, build momentum, and expand long-term impact. Rather than funding a single short project, the K02 is meant to accelerate the investigator's overall research trajectory by giving them the time and stability to pursue intensive, high-value research and career development activities.
A defining feature of the K02 is that it provides three, four, or five years of salary support tied to protected time for research. In practice, the award is intended to reduce competing demands such as heavy teaching loads, administrative responsibilities, or extensive clinical duties so the recipient can devote concentrated effort to research. NIH emphasizes that recipients should be able to demonstrate a genuine need for this period of intensive research focus as the means to enhance and advance their careers. The program is also explicitly individualized: each K02 career award plan should be tailored to the candidate's specific needs, reflecting their background, research direction, and the particular gaps or opportunities that protected time would help address.
The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health across multiple Institutes and Centers (ICs), and applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant NIH program staff early because requirements and expectations can vary by IC. This includes IC-specific guidance on programmatic fit, budget details, and how "newly independent" is defined, since NIH notes that independence criteria may differ depending on the Institute or Center. The mechanism of support for this announcement is the NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02), meaning the application, review, and award structure follows NIH's K-series career development framework, with a focus on the investigator's development plan and the environment that will support their continued growth.
In terms of subject area scope, the announcement spans a wide range of NIH research portfolios, reflected in the CFDA program listings associated with it. These include environmental health, oral health, deafness and communication disorders, sleep disorders, drug abuse and addiction, mental health research career development, cardiovascular and lung diseases, blood diseases, arthritis and musculoskeletal/skin diseases, neurosciences and neurological disorders, allergy/immunology/transplantation, infectious diseases and microbiology, child health and human development, and aging research. This breadth signals that the K02 is not limited to one narrow discipline; instead, it is a career-support mechanism that multiple NIH components can use to retain and elevate promising independent investigators within their mission areas.
Eligibility is broad at the organizational level and includes many common applicant institution types, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), for-profit organizations, small businesses, state governments, and tribal governments and organizations. The announcement also explicitly includes a number of institution categories often called out in federal funding notices, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, so applicants are not expected to provide mandatory matching funds as a condition of award.
Key administrative details from the notice include the posted date of December 12, 2008, with an archive date of February 7, 2010, and closing dates listed in the record (including an original closing date of January 7, 2012 and a current closing date of January 7, 2010 in the provided data). The official announcement and full program instructions were made available through the NIH grants guide link associated with PA 09 038. For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the contact provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Overall, this opportunity can be understood as NIH's way of investing in people rather than only projects: it is structured to help strong, newly independent researchers protect time for high-intensity research, deepen expertise, strengthen productivity and impact, and position themselves for sustained leadership and competitiveness in NIH-funded science, with the exact expectations and budget parameters shaped by the participating NIH Institute or Center.
NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) (PA 09 038) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) under PA 09 038?
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is a discretionary NIH career award mechanism intended to strengthen the careers of newly independent scientists who are positioned to become major contributors in their research fields. Under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) PA 09 038, the K02 is designed to support career consolidation and growth at a stage when a researcher has achieved independence but still needs sustained protected time to sharpen research focus, build momentum, and expand long-term impact.
What is the main purpose of the K02 award?
The central aim is to accelerate an investigator's overall research trajectory by providing time and stability for intensive, high-value research and career development activities. Rather than supporting a single short project, the K02 is structured to help the investigator deepen expertise, strengthen productivity, and increase long-term competitiveness and leadership in NIH-funded science.
How does the K02 differ from a typical research project grant?
Based on the information provided, the K02 is described as investing in people rather than only projects. It is intended to advance the investigator's career trajectory by enabling protected research time and supporting an individualized career award plan, rather than focusing exclusively on funding a single defined short-term project.
How long does K02 support last?
The K02 provides three, four, or five years of salary support tied to protected time for research.
What does "protected time" mean in the context of this award?
Protected time refers to the ability to devote concentrated effort to research by reducing competing professional demands such as heavy teaching loads, administrative responsibilities, or extensive clinical duties. The award is intended to create a sustained period during which the recipient can focus intensively on research and career development.
What type of support does the K02 provide?
A defining feature of the K02, as described, is salary support linked to protected research time. The opportunity emphasizes providing the time and stability needed for intensive research focus and career growth during a critical career stage.
Who is this award intended for?
The K02 is intended for newly independent scientists who have achieved independence and are positioned to become major contributors in their research fields, but who still need a sustained period of protected research time to consolidate and grow their careers.
What does NIH mean by "newly independent" for this program?
The information provided notes that criteria for independence may differ depending on the NIH Institute or Center (IC). Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant NIH program staff early to understand how "newly independent" is defined for the participating IC most relevant to their research area.
Is the K02 career award plan standardized, or does it vary by applicant?
The K02 is explicitly described as individualized. Each career award plan should be tailored to the candidate's specific needs, reflecting their background, research direction, and the gaps or opportunities that protected time would help address.
Why does NIH emphasize demonstrating a need for protected research time?
NIH emphasizes that recipients should be able to demonstrate a genuine need for an intensive period of research focus as the means to enhance and advance their careers. This aligns with the purpose of reducing competing demands so the investigator can concentrate on research and development activities.
Which NIH organizations administer this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health across multiple Institutes and Centers (ICs). Because requirements and expectations can vary by IC, early communication with the relevant NIH program staff is encouraged.
Do requirements vary depending on the NIH Institute or Center (IC)?
Yes. The provided information states that requirements and expectations can vary by IC, including guidance on programmatic fit, budget details, and how "newly independent" status is defined.
Why is it recommended to contact NIH program staff early?
Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant NIH program staff early because participating ICs may differ in requirements and expectations, including programmatic fit considerations, budget details, and definitions related to independence.
What research areas or topics are within scope for PA 09 038?
The FOA spans a wide range of NIH research portfolios, as reflected by the CFDA program listings associated with it. Areas mentioned include environmental health, oral health, deafness and communication disorders, sleep disorders, drug abuse and addiction, mental health research career development, cardiovascular and lung diseases, blood diseases, arthritis and musculoskeletal/skin diseases, neurosciences and neurological disorders, allergy/immunology/transplantation, infectious diseases and microbiology, child health and human development, and aging research.
Is the K02 limited to a single discipline?
No. The breadth of participating NIH portfolios signals that this is not limited to one narrow discipline. It is described as a career-support mechanism that multiple NIH components can use to support promising independent investigators within their mission areas.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad at the organizational level and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), for-profit organizations, small businesses, state governments, and tribal governments and organizations.
Are minority-serving institutions and similar categories included in eligible organizations?
Yes. The notice explicitly includes categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not expected to provide mandatory matching funds as a condition of the award.
What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement is PA 09 038.
What is the posted date and archive date for the opportunity?
The posted date is December 12, 2008, and the archive date is February 7, 2010.
What are the closing dates shown in the provided record?
The record includes multiple closing dates, including an original closing date of January 7, 2012 and a current closing date of January 7, 2010, as presented in the provided data.
Where were the official announcement and full program instructions made available?
The official announcement and full program instructions were made available through the NIH grants guide link associated with PA 09 038.
Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the announcement?
For access or technical issues, the contact provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
What is NIH trying to achieve by offering this type of award?
As described, the K02 can be understood as NIH investing in people rather than only projects. It is structured to help strong, newly independent researchers protect time for high-intensity research, deepen expertise, strengthen productivity and impact, and position themselves for sustained leadership and competitiveness, with expectations and budget parameters shaped by the participating NIH Institute or Center.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 09 038) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) Apply for PA 09 164 Funding Number: PA 09 164 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (F33) Apply for PA 09 211 Funding Number: PA 09 211 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Human Connectome Project (U54) Apply for RFA MH 10 020 Funding Number: RFA MH 10 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative (STTR R41/R42 Apply for PA 09 266 Funding Number: PA 09 266 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG)(R01) Apply for PA 10 009 Funding Number: PA 10 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) R21 Apply for PA 10 010 Funding Number: PA 10 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) Apply for PA 10 036 Funding Number: PA 10 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Short Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35) Apply for PA 10 037 Funding Number: PA 10 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (R25) Apply for RFA MH 10 070 Funding Number: RFA MH 10 070 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02) Apply for PA 10 057 Funding Number: PA 10 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Exploratory Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) Apply for PA 10 069 Funding Number: PA 10 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (Parent F33) Apply for PA 10 111 Funding Number: PA 10 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03) Apply for PAR 10 134 Funding Number: PAR 10 134 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R21) Apply for PAR 10 135 Funding Number: PAR 10 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R21) Apply for PAR 10 137 Funding Number: PAR 10 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovative Neuroscience K 12 Education (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for PAR 10 154 Funding Number: PAR 10 154 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 10 158 Funding Number: PA 10 158 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research On Autism And Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03) Apply for PA 10 159 Funding Number: PA 10 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 10 160 Funding Number: PA 10 160 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05) Apply for PAR 10 167 Funding Number: PAR 10 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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