The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) | Apply Online

FAQs: NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) - PAR-06-455

What is the NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22)?

The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) is a National Cancer Institute grant program designed to help promising cancer researchers move from a mentored training phase into a stable, independent academic research career. It is intended to provide protected time and resources so recipients can establish an independent research direction, generate publishable results, and become competitive for major independent grants.

What is the main purpose of the K22 program?

The central purpose is to bridge a common career gap that occurs after advanced training, when an investigator has strong potential but still needs time, support, and a structured runway to build independence. The award is positioned as a launchpad toward long-term, independently competed research funding rather than an endpoint.

Who is the K22 primarily aimed at?

The program is aimed primarily at investigators with clinical doctoral degrees. It also includes researchers with other doctoral degrees whose work focuses on cancer prevention, cancer control, behavioral science, or population science.

What types of cancer research areas are emphasized for eligible applicants?

The opportunity emphasizes cancer-related work that can include basic research, clinical research, and/or cancer prevention and control, behavioral science, or population sciences. The description highlights the value of translation and integration across laboratory, clinical, and population research settings.

What career stages does the K22 support?

The K22 is intended for two closely related groups: (1) postdoctoral individuals or junior faculty who are still in mentored roles and preparing to move into their first independent position, and (2) investigators who are already in their first independent cancer research position but are still early enough to benefit from structured career development support, specifically within the first two years of that first independent appointment.

How long does the K22 provide support?

The award provides up to three years of support, with the goal of giving recipients protected time through salary support along with research support to launch and develop an independently supported cancer research program.

What does "protected time" mean in the context of this award?

Based on the opportunity description, "protected time" refers to support provided through salary support so the recipient can devote time to building an independent research program, generating results, and preparing for major independent grant submissions.

Is there a requirement to apply for an NIH R01 during the K22?

Yes. Recipients are required to submit an NIH R01 application, or an equivalent R01-level application to a comparable funding organization, for peer review and funding consideration before the end of the second year of K22 support.

What is considered an acceptable "equivalent" to an NIH R01 application?

The opportunity states that an "equivalent R01-level application" to a comparable funding organization may be used. An example provided is an American Cancer Society Research Project Grant.

Why does the K22 require an R01 (or equivalent) submission by year two?

The requirement reinforces that the K22 is structured as a transition mechanism toward substantial independent funding. It is meant to push recipients to actively pursue major independent research support while still under the K22, demonstrating readiness for long-term independence.

What outcomes is the K22 designed to help recipients achieve?

The program is described as helping recipients refine a research niche, produce preliminary data, demonstrate productivity (including publishable results), and position themselves to compete successfully for sustained external funding.

How important is the institutional environment for this award?

The institutional environment is described as an important part of both eligibility and competitiveness. The sponsoring institution is expected to have well-established research programs in relevant cancer research areas and an environment that supports collaborations and a two-way exchange of ideas across laboratory, clinical, and population research settings.

What kind of collaborative environment does NCI expect for K22 applicants?

The FOA emphasizes active collaborations and a dynamic, two-way exchange of ideas across laboratory, clinical, and population research settings. This reflects NCI priorities around translation and integration.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $125,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants are not expected to provide institutional or third-party matching funds as a condition of the award.

What type of federal assistance program is this?

This is a discretionary grant program under the National Institutes of Health, categorized under education and health, and associated with CFDA number 93.398 (Cancer Research Manpower).

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, certain nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and some nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, with additional clarifications referenced in the full announcement.

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

No. Foreign institutions are explicitly not eligible to apply.

Does the FOA describe a single deadline or multiple receipt dates?

The FOA indicates multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline, and directs applicants to the full announcement for the exact schedule and submission details.

Where can applicants find the full funding opportunity announcement and official instructions?

The announcement directs applicants to the NIH Grants Guide page at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-455.html for full requirements, application instructions, and receipt dates.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title?

The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PAR-06-455, titled "The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22)."

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 12, 2006.

What does the archival information mean in the record shown?

The provided record includes lifecycle metadata indicating creation date January 23, 2009, and archive date January 24, 2009. For the most current and complete requirements and schedules, applicants are directed to rely on the full NIH Grants Guide announcement page.

Who should be contacted for access or linking issues to the NIH page?

The opportunity provides NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact information for access or linking issues (as referenced in the announcement).