Independent Scientist Award (K02) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the AHRQ Independent Scientist Award (K02)?

The AHRQ Independent Scientist Award (K02) is a grant-based career award intended to help newly independent health services researchers accelerate their careers by providing sustained, protected time to focus on research.

What is the main goal of this award?

The central goal is career development through research focus. It supports investigators who are already on an independent path and can demonstrate that a dedicated period of intensive research time and salary support will meaningfully strengthen their career trajectory, productivity, and long-term impact in health services research.

Who is this award designed to support?

This opportunity is designed for newly independent health services researchers who are already pursuing an independent research path, but who would significantly benefit from protected time and salary support to deepen and expand a coherent research program.

What kinds of research are emphasized under this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes research programs that can make a real difference in how health care is delivered in the United States, particularly research that can improve quality, safety, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of care. It also includes work that can generate evidence about how care is paid for and delivered.

Is this funding meant for any type of health-related research?

No. Based on the description provided, the focus is on health services research positioned to improve care outcomes and the way health systems operate, rather than supporting any health-related topic broadly.

How does this award align with AHRQ's mission?

The funding aligns with AHRQ's mission by supporting research that produces evidence and insights to improve health care delivery in the United States, and by strengthening the pipeline of high-quality health services researchers.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The mechanism is the Independent Scientist Award (K02), described as a grant-based career award.

How long can the K02 provide support?

The K02 provides three, four, or five years of support.

What does the K02 support primarily pay for?

The support is centered on salary support and protected research time, with the intent of freeing the awardee from competing demands so they can focus intensively on research.

Is the K02 the same as a typical project grant?

No. The opportunity is described as being centered on salary support and protected time rather than being purely a project grant.

What is the intended benefit of providing protected time?

The intent is to enable the awardee to deepen expertise, expand a coherent research program, and produce work that positions them for sustained, high-level contributions to health services research.

How is this opportunity categorized administratively?

It is listed as a discretionary grant program in the health funding activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.226, titled "Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes."

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that it does not require cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants are not expected to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is PAR-09-086.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The original posting date listed is January 23, 2009.

When were the closing dates for this opportunity?

The closing dates ran through January 7, 2013.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The archive date is listed as February 7, 2013, indicating the announcement is no longer active in its posted form.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. It also includes nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status, with exception language noted in the announcement text), Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other than federally recognized), tribal organizations, and certain eligible agencies of the federal government.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible both with and without 501(c)(3) status, with the note that the announcement text includes exception language.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligibility extends to Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized and other than federally recognized) as well as tribal organizations.

Are units of local government eligible to apply?

Yes. County governments and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.

Are state governments eligible to apply?

Yes. State governments are listed among eligible applicants.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. The description indicates that certain eligible agencies of the federal government are included.

Where can applicants find the full official announcement details?

The notice points to the NIH Grants Guide link for PAR-09-086 for the full official details.

Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the online posting?

For access or technical issues related to the online posting, the contact provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email listed in the notice.

Does the provided information mention specific application requirements or nuanced eligibility conditions?

The description notes that detailed eligibility conditions and nuances are typically clarified in the full Funding Opportunity Announcement, implying applicants should consult the official announcement for specifics.