Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 220

  • The HHS-NIH11 in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K22)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853,.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 28, 2016 and posted on Apr 28, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2019. (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).
Apply for PAR 16 220

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Opportunity Summary:

The NINDS Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K22) is a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) career development grant intended to help highly trained postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds move into independent research careers in neuroscience. The overall purpose is to strengthen diversity within the neuroscience workforce by giving promising early career scientists the structured support, resources, and time needed to make a successful shift from mentored postdoctoral training to a stable, independent research position where they can launch their own research program.

This opportunity specifically targets advanced postdoctoral investigators who already have solid neuroscience training and are near the stage of applying for or stepping into an independent role. Applicants must hold a doctoral research degree such as a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or an equivalent degree, and they must have between 2 and 5 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time they apply. The program is explicitly aimed at individuals from diverse backgrounds that are underrepresented in neuroscience research, reflecting NINDS and NIH priorities to reduce persistent gaps in representation and to broaden the perspectives and approaches driving the field.

The FOA highlights two main objectives. First, it is meant to assist talented scientists from underrepresented groups in making the transition from postdoctoral training to a secure, independent research position. In practice, that means support designed to bridge a common career bottleneck: the period when a researcher is ready to lead independent work but still needs funding stability, professional development, and a clear pathway to independence. Second, the program aims to improve the conditions that help awardees establish strong, innovative, and durable independent research programs. This emphasis goes beyond simply funding a project; it focuses on helping the investigator build the foundations of a lab and a research agenda that can continue to attract funding and produce impactful science.

Administratively, the award is a discretionary grant under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH), with NINDS as the sponsoring institute. The funding activity category is Health, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.853 (and also listed with 93.853 in the source data set). The opportunity was posted on April 28, 2016, under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-16-220, with an application closing date listed as May 7, 2019 (original and current closing dates are the same in the provided record).

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes many types of institutions that could host a transitioning investigator. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding those that are institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and a range of government entities such as state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and public housing or Indian housing authorities. The listing also notes an "Others" category with a reference to additional eligibility information, implying there may be further clarifications in the full FOA text.

In short, this K22 opportunity is built to support advanced postdocs from underrepresented backgrounds at a pivotal career stage, providing a structured mechanism to help them secure independence and establish a competitive neuroscience research program. It is less about a short-term project and more about enabling a long-term career transition that increases both individual success and the diversity and strength of the neuroscience research community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NINDS Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K22)?

It is a career development grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award is designed to help highly trained postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds transition into independent neuroscience research careers.

What is the main purpose of this K22 opportunity?

The purpose is to strengthen diversity in the neuroscience workforce by providing structured support, resources, and time to help promising early-career scientists move from mentored postdoctoral training into stable, independent research positions where they can launch their own research programs.

Who is this award intended for?

This opportunity targets advanced postdoctoral investigators who already have strong neuroscience training and are close to applying for, or stepping into, an independent research role.

What career stage is considered appropriate for applicants?

Applicants are expected to be at a pivotal transition point between mentored postdoctoral training and independence, where funding stability and a defined pathway can help overcome a common career bottleneck.

What degrees are required to apply?

Applicants must hold a doctoral research degree such as a Ph.D., an M.D./Ph.D., or an equivalent doctoral-level research degree.

How much postdoctoral research experience is required?

Applicants must have between 2 and 5 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application.

Is this program specifically focused on diversity?

Yes. The program is explicitly aimed at individuals from diverse backgrounds that are underrepresented in neuroscience research, reflecting NINDS and NIH priorities to reduce gaps in representation and broaden perspectives in the field.

What are the two main objectives highlighted in the FOA?

The FOA highlights two main objectives: (1) assisting talented scientists from underrepresented groups in transitioning from postdoctoral training to a secure, independent research position, and (2) improving the conditions that help awardees establish strong, innovative, and durable independent research programs.

Does the award focus only on funding a specific research project?

No. The emphasis goes beyond funding a single short-term project. It is designed to help the investigator build the foundations of an independent lab and research agenda that can continue to attract funding and produce impactful neuroscience research.

Which federal agency and institute sponsor this award?

This is a discretionary grant under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Health.

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

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-16-220.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on April 28, 2016.

What is the application closing date listed in the provided record?

The application closing date is listed as May 7, 2019, and the provided record indicates the original and current closing dates are the same.

What CFDA number is associated with this grant?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.853 (also listed as 93.853 in the source dataset).

Which organizations are eligible to apply as applicant organizations?

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes a wide range of institutions that could host a transitioning investigator.

Are public universities and state-controlled institutions eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant organizations.

Are private universities and colleges eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant organizations.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).

Are for-profit organizations eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

Are government entities eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. The listing includes multiple government entities such as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.

Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).

Are housing authorities eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicant organizations.

What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?

The listing includes an "Others" category that references additional eligibility information, suggesting there may be further clarifications in the full FOA text.

What kind of career transition does the K22 aim to support?

It is intended to support the transition from mentored postdoctoral training to a stable, independent research position where the investigator can lead an independent neuroscience research program.

Why is this award described as addressing a career bottleneck?

The FOA emphasizes support for the period when a researcher is ready to lead independent work but still benefits from funding stability, professional development, and a clear pathway to independence.

What long-term outcomes does NINDS emphasize for awardees?

NINDS emphasizes helping awardees establish independent research programs that are strong, innovative, durable, and positioned to continue attracting funding and producing impactful science over time.

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