NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) | Apply Online

FAQs: NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22)

What is the NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22)?

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program intended to help outstanding postdoctoral fellows move from a mentored research environment into independent research careers in areas aligned with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

What is the purpose of this K22 program?

The program is designed to support a staged path to independence by combining mentored intramural research support at NHLBI with later extramural bridge funding once the awardee secures a position at an eligible institution outside NIH.

Which research areas does NHLBI generally support?

NHLBI's mission includes research and education related to diseases and conditions involving the heart and blood vessels, blood and blood resources, and the lungs. This can include work on causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, emergency interventions, clinical trials, and broader demonstration or education projects.

What scientific priorities does this K22 opportunity target?

In practice, this K22 targets early-career scientists whose research fits within NHLBI's cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep-related priorities.

How is the K22 structured?

This K22 has a two-phase design that combines intramural and extramural support over roughly four to five years total.

What happens during the intramural phase?

The first phase takes place within the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research. During this period, the awardee conducts research under mentorship and works to build the scientific foundation, productivity, and project direction needed to compete as a new investigator.

What happens during the extramural phase?

The second phase provides bridge funding after the awardee secures a position at an extramural institution. The purpose is to help launch an independent research program outside NIH.

Why does the program include "bridge funding"?

The bridge funding is intended to reduce the common gap between postdoctoral training and the resources needed to start a lab or an independent line of research at a university, hospital, research institute, or other eligible organization.

Is the transition from intramural to extramural funding automatic?

No. Moving from the intramural phase to the extramural phase is competitive and not guaranteed.

What determines whether an awardee can move into the extramural phase?

Continuation depends on an NHLBI progress review that occurs no later than the end of the second year of the intramural support period. The review considers the success of the awardee's intramural research program and also evaluates the proposed research plan for the extramural institution.

When does the required progress review occur?

The progress review occurs no later than the end of the second year of the intramural support period.

What does the progress review evaluate?

The review evaluates (1) progress and success during the intramural phase and (2) the proposed research plan to be carried out at the extramural institution.

Approximately how many awards were expected under the referenced announcement?

The listing indicates an expected number of about five awards under the referenced announcement.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this K22?

The Funding Opportunity Number referenced is PAR-07-317.

Are there cost sharing or matching requirements?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this program, which typically means the applicant organization is not required to commit a specific share of project costs as a condition of receiving the award.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad across U.S.-based organizations that can host extramural research. Examples listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), with additional eligibility nuances referenced in the full announcement.

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

No. Foreign institutions are explicitly not eligible to apply.

Can U.S. federal government agencies apply?

Yes. The listing indicates that eligible U.S. federal government agencies may apply.

What are the CFDA program areas associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA program areas including the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (93.233), Cardiovascular Diseases Research (93.837), Lung Diseases Research (93.838), and Blood Diseases and Resources Research (93.839).

Is this a discretionary grant program?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary NIH grant.

When was this opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The source listing indicates it was posted in January 2007 and later archived in January 2009.

Were there multiple submission/receipt dates?

Yes. The listing mentions multiple receipt dates during its active period and directs applicants to the full NIH program announcement for exact submission cycles.

Where can applicants find the full official program announcement?

The complete announcement is hosted by NIH at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-317.html.

Where were technical access issues directed?

Technical access issues were handled through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact listed in the notice.

What is the main career outcome this K22 is designed to support?

The program is intended to help researchers develop from mentored postdoctoral training into launching an independent research program at an extramural institution.