Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 27 037
Apply for PA 27 037
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.398, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.T21, 93.THR.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-04-08.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed), funding opportunity number PA 27 037, is an NIH discretionary grant designed to help highly promising doctoral students finish their PhD research training and then move smoothly into a structured, mentored postdoctoral position. In practical terms, it is a two-stage pathway award: the F99 phase supports the final stretch of dissertation-focused training, and the K00 phase supports a mentored postdoctoral career development period meant to deepen research skills, expand scientific independence, and position the awardee for a strong transition into the next career step (typically a research-intensive position and later independent funding). The research supported must fall within areas that match the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers, so applicants generally need to align their scientific aims with the priorities of the NIH component most relevant to their field.
A key feature of this NOFO is its stance on clinical trials. Applicants are not allowed to propose leading an independent clinical trial as part of the award. However, the announcement does allow an applicant to gain research experience within a clinical trial as long as the trial is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor and the applicant is not the one taking primary responsibility for running it. This distinction matters for trainees working in clinical or translational environments: you can be involved in clinical trial-related research and training, but you cannot be the person proposing to direct the trial as the responsible party under this mechanism. The NOFO points applicants to Section III (Eligibility Information) for the exact definitions and boundaries, which is important because NIH clinical trial policies can be technical and depend on how the proposed activities are structured.
On eligibility and organizational participation, the announcement makes clear that foreign organizations cannot apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. At the same time, “foreign components” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning certain international collaborations or parts of the project occurring outside the United States may be permissible when appropriately justified and structured under NIH rules. This setup supports international scientific collaboration in a limited, policy-compliant way without allowing a non-U.S. institution to serve as the primary applicant.
The eligible applicant organizations listed are broad and include many types of U.S.-based entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, outside the higher-education category), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city or township, special district). Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are also included. Even though the organizational eligibility list is wide, this particular mechanism is fundamentally an individual trainee-focused award, so the candidate’s status and training stage, the strength of the mentoring and training plan, and the research and career development environment are typically central to whether an application is competitive and compliant.
Administratively, the funding instrument type is a grant, the activity category is health, and the opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity is open over a long window, with an original closing date listed as 2029-04-08, indicating NIH intends this parent announcement to be available across multiple receipt cycles until that time (applicants still need to follow NIH’s standard submission dates and any institute-specific participation details tied to the parent announcement). The CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers associated with the opportunity span many NIH programs, reflecting the multi-institute nature of this parent NOFO and the fact that multiple NIH Institutes and Centers can support awards under it depending on scientific alignment.
Overall, this F99/K00 pathway is aimed at reducing the friction trainees often face when moving from dissertation work into postdoctoral training by providing a structured, mentored bridge with expectations for both completing strong doctoral research and building a postdoctoral career development plan. It is best suited for doctoral candidates who are already demonstrating strong research momentum, have a clear trajectory for postdoctoral training, and can articulate how the mentored postdoctoral period will broaden their expertise and move them toward research independence, all while staying within the “clinical trial not allowed” leadership limitation described in the NOFO.
Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-27-037) FAQs
What is the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) under PA-27-037?
PA-27-037 is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity called the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed). It is designed to support highly promising doctoral students as they complete PhD research training and then transition into a structured, mentored postdoctoral position.
How is this award structured?
It is a two-stage pathway award:
- F99 phase: Supports the final stretch of dissertation-focused training while the candidate finishes the PhD.
- K00 phase: Supports a mentored postdoctoral career development period intended to deepen research skills, expand scientific independence, and support the next career transition (often toward a research-intensive role and later independent funding).
What is the main goal of the F99 phase?
The F99 phase is meant to support the final portion of PhD research training, with an emphasis on dissertation-focused work and completing strong doctoral research training.
What is the main goal of the K00 phase?
The K00 phase is intended to provide mentored postdoctoral career development. The goal is to broaden expertise, build toward greater scientific independence, and position the awardee to move into the next career step and eventually pursue independent funding.
Who is this opportunity intended for?
Based on the description provided, this pathway is best suited for doctoral candidates who are already showing strong research momentum, are nearing the completion of their PhD training, and can clearly describe a postdoctoral plan that will broaden their expertise and move them toward research independence.
What kinds of research areas can be supported?
The supported research must fall within areas that match the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers. Applicants generally need to align the scientific aims with the priorities of the NIH component most relevant to their field.
Which agency administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the funding instrument type and activity category?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is health.
Are clinical trials allowed under this NOFO?
The NOFO is explicitly “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” in the sense that applicants cannot propose leading an independent clinical trial as part of the award.
Can an applicant participate in a clinical trial in any capacity?
Yes. The announcement allows an applicant to gain research experience within a clinical trial as long as the clinical trial is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor and the applicant is not taking primary responsibility for running it.
What is the key clinical trial distinction applicants need to understand?
The key distinction is between (1) proposing to lead an independent clinical trial (not allowed) versus (2) gaining training or research experience within a clinical trial led by someone else (allowed), provided the applicant is not the responsible party directing the trial under this mechanism.
Where does the NOFO direct applicants to confirm clinical trial definitions and boundaries?
The NOFO points applicants to Section III (Eligibility Information) for the exact definitions and boundaries, which matters because NIH clinical trial policies can be technical and depend on how the proposed activities are structured.
Can a foreign organization apply as the applicant organization?
No. Foreign organizations cannot apply as the applicant organization.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Are any international elements allowed at all?
Yes. “Foreign components,” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This means certain international collaborations or parts of the project occurring outside the United States may be permissible when appropriately justified and structured under NIH rules, even though a non-U.S. institution cannot be the primary applicant.
What types of U.S.-based organizations are listed as eligible applicant organizations?
The eligible applicant organization types listed are broad and include:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, outside the higher-education category)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- State, county, city or township governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations
If many organization types are eligible, what tends to matter most for competitiveness and compliance?
Even with a broad organizational eligibility list, this mechanism is fundamentally an individual trainee-focused award. The candidate’s training stage and status, the strength of the mentoring and training plan, and the quality of the research and career development environment are typically central factors for a compliant and competitive application.
How long is this opportunity expected to remain open?
The opportunity is open over a long window. The original closing date is listed as 2029-04-08, which indicates the parent announcement is intended to remain available across multiple receipt cycles until that time.
Does the listed closing date mean I can submit at any time before 2029-04-08?
The provided information indicates the parent announcement remains available until that date, but applicants still need to follow NIH’s standard submission dates and any institute-specific participation details tied to the parent announcement.
What does it mean that this is a “parent” announcement?
The description indicates NIH intends this NOFO to be available across multiple receipt cycles and supported by multiple NIH Institutes and Centers depending on scientific alignment. The multi-institute nature is also reflected in the associated Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers spanning many NIH programs.
Why do the Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers span many programs?
The CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers span many NIH programs because this is a multi-institute parent NOFO, and multiple NIH Institutes and Centers can support awards under it depending on how the proposed research aligns with their missions and priorities.
What is the overall career impact NIH is trying to support with this pathway?
The F99/K00 pathway aims to reduce the friction trainees often face when moving from dissertation work into postdoctoral training. It provides a structured, mentored bridge with expectations for completing doctoral research and building a postdoctoral career development plan that strengthens skills and supports a transition toward research independence.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Sustaining Global Health Security to protect and improve public health in Kenya
Previous opportunity: Model-to-Clinic (M2C) for Precision Medicine with AI: Integrating Imaging with Multimodal Data (PRIMED-AI) (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Optional)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PA 27 037
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 27 037) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales (R01 CT Optional) Apply for RFA DC 27 003 Funding Number: RFA DC 27 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 27 078 Funding Number: PAR 27 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 27 102 Funding Number: PA 27 102 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award (Parent [R44] Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 27 101 Funding Number: PA 27 101 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Sustained Support for Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 27 021 Funding Number: RFA CA 27 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 27 020 Funding Number: RFA CA 27 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| NIAID Clinical Trial Implementation Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 27 064 Funding Number: PAR 27 064 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early-Stage Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 27 019 Funding Number: RFA CA 27 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Novel Experiential Technologies Assisting Individual Learning (NExT AI) Hubs (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 27 006 Funding Number: RFA HD 27 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Using Archived Data and Specimen Collections to Advance Maternal and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Research (R21 CT Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 27 007 Funding Number: RFA HD 27 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIDCR Prospective Observational or Biomarker Validation Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 27 058 Funding Number: PAR 27 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Causal Hypotheses on the Oral-Systemic Health Impacts of Human Behaviors among People with Chronic Conditions (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 27 057 Funding Number: PAR 27 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Influenza Modeling and Forecasting Apply for CDC RFA IP 26 0102 Funding Number: CDC RFA IP 26 0102 Agency: Centers for Disease Control - NCIRD Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Grants for Preventing Interpersonal Violence and Suicide Among Youth and Young Adults (R01) Apply for RFA CE 26 020 Funding Number: RFA CE 26 020 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Eliminating Parasitic and Neglected Tropical Disease Threats to the United States - Program Support and Research to Reduce Threats to Americans at Home and Abroad Apply for RFA CK 26 104 Funding Number: RFA CK 26 104 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: CAReS Program Apply for HHS 2026 IHS ALZ 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2026 IHS ALZ 0001 Agency: Indian Health Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001 Agency: Indian Health Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| A Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for HHS 2026 IHS TSGN 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2026 IHS TSGN 0001 Agency: Indian Health Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $84,000 |
| Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program Apply for HHS 2026 IHS TMD 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2026 IHS TMD 0001 Agency: Indian Health Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Strengthening public health efforts to protect and improve health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0044 Funding Number: CDC RFA JG 26 0044 Agency: Centers for Disease Control-GHC Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PA 27 037", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.