Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 16 192
Apply for PA 16 192
- The HHS-NIH11 in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 15, 2016 and posted on Apr 15, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 07, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02), listed as funding opportunity PA-16-192, is a discretionary grant mechanism designed to strengthen the careers of newly independent researchers who are positioned to become leaders in their fields but need a sustained period of protected time to concentrate on research. The central aim is career development at the independent stage: NIH uses the K02 to help outstanding scientists deepen their expertise, expand the scope and impact of their research programs, and build the momentum needed to make major scientific contributions over the long term. In practice, the award is meant for investigators who have already reached independence (with specifics varying by NIH Institute or Center) and can credibly justify why dedicated, uninterrupted research effort is essential to advancing their trajectory at this point in their careers.
The award provides salary support and “protected time” for intensive research focus for a period of three, four, or five years. That protected time is a key feature because it helps reduce competing demands (such as heavy teaching loads, clinical responsibilities, or administrative duties) so the investigator can concentrate on building a stronger, more productive research program. The K02 is not a one-size-fits-all program; NIH expects each K02 career award plan to be tailored to the individual candidate. That tailoring typically means aligning the support period, research focus, career development objectives, and any additional training or mentorship needs with the applicant’s background, current level of independence, and future goals.
A notable practical point is that requirements and available budget details can differ across NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant IC staff ahead of time for institute-specific guidance, including program fit, eligibility nuances tied to the “newly independent” definition, and any IC-specific limits or expectations. The opportunity materials reference a table of IC-specific information, requirements, and staff contacts, signaling that successful applicants often start by matching their research area and career stage to the priorities and policies of the IC most likely to support the work.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under NIH (Agency name shown as HHS-NIH11). It falls under the broad funding activity category of Education, Environment, and Health, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866), reflecting that different NIH components may participate under different program authorities. The posting and creation date for the announcement is April 15, 2016, and the listed original and current closing date in the provided record is January 7, 2018. The record does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which is another reason applicants are directed to consult IC staff for current budgetary and programmatic expectations.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that can serve as applicant institutions for an eligible candidate, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses in one category and including small businesses separately), and a range of governmental entities (state, county, city/township), special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments and organizations. The listing also includes an “Others” category with a note to consult additional eligibility information in the full text for clarification, which typically means there may be special conditions or definitions that affect whether a specific organization or applicant situation qualifies.
Overall, the Parent K02 is best understood as a mid-career-launch accelerator for newly independent investigators: it buys time and stability for intensive research during a critical growth window, with the explicit goal of increasing the investigator’s capacity to produce influential science and sustain a high-impact research career. Prospective applicants generally benefit from early conversations with the relevant NIH Institute or Center to confirm fit, understand institute-specific expectations, and shape a career development plan that clearly explains how protected time and salary support will translate into measurable research and career gains.
NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02, PA-16-192) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02)?
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02) is a discretionary NIH career award mechanism intended to strengthen the careers of newly independent researchers. Its purpose is to provide a sustained period of protected time and salary support so an investigator can concentrate intensely on research and build long-term momentum toward becoming a leader in their field.
What is the main goal of the K02 award?
The central goal is independent-stage career development. NIH uses the K02 to help outstanding scientists deepen their expertise, expand the scope and impact of their research programs, and increase their ability to make major scientific contributions over the long term.
Who is the K02 designed for?
The K02 is meant for investigators who have already reached independence and are positioned to become leaders in their fields, but who can credibly justify why dedicated, uninterrupted research effort is essential at this point in their careers. The exact definition of "newly independent" can vary by NIH Institute or Center (IC).
What does "protected time" mean in this opportunity?
How long is the K02 support period?
The award can provide support for a period of three, four, or five years.
What types of support does the K02 provide?
Based on the information provided, the K02 provides salary support tied to protected time for research. The record does not list an award ceiling or detailed budget figures, and those details may differ across NIH Institutes and Centers.
Is the K02 a standardized program, or can the plan be customized?
The K02 is not a one-size-fits-all program. NIH expects each K02 career award plan to be tailored to the individual candidate, aligning the support period, research focus, career development objectives, and any additional training or mentorship needs with the applicant's background, current level of independence, and future goals.
Do requirements and budgets vary across NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs)?
Yes. Requirements and available budget details can differ across NIH Institutes and Centers. The opportunity materials reference a table of IC-specific information, requirements, and staff contacts, indicating that institute-specific policies and expectations may apply.
Should applicants contact NIH program staff before applying?
Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant NIH Institute or Center staff ahead of time. These conversations can help confirm program fit, clarify eligibility nuances (including how "newly independent" is defined by that IC), and identify IC-specific limits or expectations.
Why does the announcement reference IC-specific tables and staff contacts?
This signals that a key early step is matching the applicant's research area and career stage to the priorities and policies of the NIH Institute or Center most likely to support the work. IC staff can also clarify requirements that are not uniform across NIH components.
Which agency issues this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the agency name shown as HHS-NIH11.
What is the funding opportunity number for this K02 announcement?
The funding opportunity is listed as PA-16-192.
What is the funding activity category listed for this opportunity?
It falls under a broad funding activity category of Education, Environment, and Health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The record associates the opportunity with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, and 93.866. This reflects that different NIH components may participate under different program authorities.
When was this announcement posted?
The posting and creation date listed for the announcement is April 15, 2016.
What is the closing date shown in the provided record?
The record lists an original and current closing date of January 7, 2018.
Does the record specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided record does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. This is another reason applicants are directed to consult NIH Institute or Center staff for current budgetary and programmatic expectations.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply as the applicant institution?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that can serve as applicant institutions for an eligible candidate, including:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses separately; and excluding small businesses in one category as listed)
- State, county, and city/township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal governments and organizations
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The listing includes an "Others" category with a note to consult additional eligibility information in the full text. This typically means there may be special conditions or definitions that affect whether a specific organization type or applicant situation qualifies.
How should a candidate explain the need for a K02 at the independent stage?
Based on the description provided, a strong application should credibly justify why dedicated, uninterrupted research effort (enabled by protected time and salary support) is essential right now, and how that time will translate into a stronger, more productive research program and measurable career development gains.
What is the K02 intended to help investigators do over the long term?
It is intended to help newly independent investigators deepen expertise, broaden the impact of their research programs, and build the momentum needed to sustain a high-impact research career and make major scientific contributions over time.
How should applicants think about "fit" for the Parent K02?
The Parent K02 can be understood as a career accelerator for newly independent investigators. Fit typically depends on whether the investigator is already independent (as defined by the relevant NIH Institute or Center), can articulate why protected time is critical at this career point, and can align a tailored career development plan with the goals and expectations of the IC that would support the research area.
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