Mentored Research Scientist Development Award in Metabolomics (K01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award in Metabolomics (K01)?

The Mentored Research Scientist Development Award in Metabolomics (K01) is an NIH career development grant designed to build a pipeline of highly trained metabolomics researchers. Its focus is on helping early-career scientists learn to translate complex metabolic profiling data into meaningful biomedical insights relevant to health and disease.

What is the main purpose of this NIH K01 opportunity?

The main purpose is to provide sustained, protected time for intensive, mentored research training in metabolomics so that recipients can build skills, produce publishable work, and become competitive for independent research funding in metabolomics-related research.

Why does the opportunity emphasize metabolomics?

The opportunity frames metabolomics as a fast-expanding area with strong potential to clarify disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and explain differences in patient responses to therapies. The award is meant to support researchers who can generate, analyze, and interpret metabolomic datasets in real-world biomedical contexts.

Who is this award intended for?

The target applicants are postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, or investigators who meet NIH's definition of a New Investigator. Overall, it is aimed at early-career scientists who are ready for structured, research-intensive career development but have not yet built an independent research portfolio at the level expected for major NIH investigator-initiated awards.

How long can the K01 mentored training period last?

The award provides a sustained mentored period of protected time for up to four years.

What kinds of support does this K01 provide?

The K01 supplies both salary support and research support, enabling the recipient to focus on intensive mentored research training and progress toward research independence.

Is mentorship required under this program?

Yes. Mentorship is an explicit requirement. The training must occur under the guidance of an experienced metabolomics mentor with a strong, documented research record in metabolomics.

What type of mentor is expected for this K01?

The program expects an established metabolomics mentor with a strong, documented research record in metabolomics, reflecting the program's intent to accelerate rigorous skill development and career progression in the field.

What skills and outcomes is the program trying to develop in awardees?

The opportunity emphasizes developing investigators with strong technical expertise in metabolomics who can also collaborate effectively with clinicians and other health professionals. It expects awardees to deepen scientific skills, expand interdisciplinary communication abilities, and build a body of work positioning them to compete for independent research funding.

What kinds of research activities does the announcement highlight?

The announcement highlights designing studies in collaboration with clinicians and other health professionals, generating high-quality metabolomic datasets, and properly analyzing and interpreting results in health and disease contexts.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-RM-12-025.

How is this opportunity categorized administratively?

It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity within the health funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.310 (NIH Research Support).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

What was the estimated total funding level for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding level listed is $1,250,000, indicating NIH planned a finite pool of support for awards made under this opportunity.

When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

NIH posted the opportunity on October 19, 2012. The application closing date listed was February 28, 2013, and the archive date was March 31, 2013.

What organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, independent school districts, and multiple levels of government (city/township, county, state), as well as special district governments and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.

Are minority-serving and community-based institutions included in eligibility?

Yes. The eligibility language explicitly includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, as well as certain tribal governments described in the notice.

Are tribal governments eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description includes certain tribal governments, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal government entities referenced in the notice.

Are foreign institutions or non-U.S. components eligible to apply?

No. The announcement excludes non-U.S. entities. Foreign institutions cannot apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.

Does this opportunity require the training and research activities to be domestic?

Yes. By excluding foreign institutions, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components, the announcement reinforces that supported training and research activities must remain within eligible domestic organizational structures.

Where can applicants find the full announcement and detailed NIH requirements?

The notice directs readers to the NIH Grants Guide web link provided in the opportunity for the full announcement and detailed NIH requirements, including application instructions, review criteria, and programmatic expectations.

Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing or linking to the announcement?

The opportunity lists the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster as the contact for technical issues accessing or linking to the announcement.