Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 371
The Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trials Not Allowed), funding opportunity number PA 18 371, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant mechanism designed to help newly independent researchers deepen their scientific focus and accelerate their trajectory as leaders in their fields. The central goal of the K02 is career development at the independent stage, not initial training. It supports scientists who have already transitioned into independence but can make a strong case that they need a sustained period of concentrated research time to sharpen their program, build momentum, and produce high-impact work that positions them for long-term success and major research contributions.
A defining feature of this opportunity is that it provides three to five years of salary support paired with "protected time" for research. In practical terms, this means the award is meant to buy down competing demands (often heavy teaching, clinical, administrative, or service obligations) so the investigator can devote substantial effort to research and related career-advancing activities. NIH emphasizes that the career award plan should be individualized, meaning the structure of the support and the proposed development activities should be tailored to what the candidate actually needs at this stage. Rather than a one-size-fits-all training plan, the K02 is expected to be shaped around the investigator's specific scientific direction, gaps, and career objectives.
This particular parent announcement explicitly indicates that independent clinical trials are not allowed. That restriction is important for applicants whose work might involve clinical research, because it signals that the proposed project cannot be built around the applicant conducting an independent clinical trial under this mechanism. Applicants would need to ensure their research plan fits within NIH's definition and policy boundaries for this "clinical trials not allowed" version, which generally steers the application toward research and career development activities that do not include leading an independent clinical trial.
Eligibility is broad across many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include a wide range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, and independent school districts), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The opportunity also allows applications from public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions when specified in those categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. NIH also calls out additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, the announcement draws clear boundaries around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, which means an otherwise eligible U.S. applicant may be able to include certain foreign elements in the project if they are justified and compliant with NIH policy.
From a program classification standpoint, this funding opportunity is listed under the activity category "Education, Environment, Health" and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, and 93.866. The opportunity was created on 2017-11-21, and the original closing date shown in the source information is 2019-01-07. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which is common for parent announcements where final budgets and award counts depend on institute-specific priorities, available appropriations, and the applicant pool.
Overall, the K02 (no independent clinical trials) is best understood as a mid-career catalyst for investigators early in independence who are already demonstrating strong promise, and who can use several years of protected time and salary support to intensify their research output, strengthen their scientific niche, and enhance their ability to make sustained, significant contributions to biomedical, behavioral, or related health research areas supported by NIH.Apply for PA 18 371
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trials 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, 93.273, 93.279, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-01-07. (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.
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Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trials Not Allowed) (PA 18 371) FAQs
What is the Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trials Not Allowed)?
The Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trials Not Allowed) is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism intended to help newly independent researchers deepen their scientific focus and accelerate their development as leaders in their fields. Its central purpose is career development at the independent stage, not initial research training.
What is the main goal of the K02 mechanism?
The main goal is to provide a sustained period of concentrated research time so an already-independent investigator can sharpen their research program, build momentum, and produce high-impact work that supports long-term success and major research contributions.
Who is this award designed for?
This opportunity is designed for scientists who have already transitioned into independence but can make a strong case that they need several years of protected time and salary support to strengthen their scientific niche and advance their career trajectory.
Is this award meant for initial training or for established independent investigators?
This award is specifically focused on career development at the independent stage rather than initial training. It supports researchers who are already independent and are seeking time and support to intensify and refine their research program.
How long does the K02 provide support?
The opportunity provides three to five years of support.
What type of support does this award provide?
The K02 provides salary support paired with protected time for research. The intent is to reduce competing demands (such as teaching, clinical, administrative, or service obligations) so the investigator can devote substantial effort to research and career-advancing activities.
What does "protected time" mean in this context?
"Protected time" refers to time set aside specifically for research and related career development activities, made possible by salary support that helps reduce other obligations that might otherwise limit the investigator's ability to focus on their research program.
What is meant by an "individualized" career award plan?
NIH emphasizes that the career award plan should be tailored to the candidate's needs at this stage. Rather than a one-size-fits-all training plan, the proposed development activities should align with the investigator's specific scientific direction, gaps, and career objectives.
Are independent clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?
No. This parent announcement explicitly indicates that independent clinical trials are not allowed.
What does "independent clinical trials not allowed" mean for applicants?
It means the proposed project cannot be built around the applicant conducting an independent clinical trial under this mechanism. Applicants whose work involves clinical research should ensure their research plan fits NIH policy boundaries for the "clinical trials not allowed" version.
What funding opportunity number identifies this announcement?
The funding opportunity number is PA 18 371.
Which agency administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, and independent school districts), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. The opportunity allows applications from nonprofits, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations (excluding higher education institutions when specified in those nonprofit categories).
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicant types.
Are minority-serving and mission-focused institutions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicant categories.
Are regional organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Regional organizations are included among the eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included in the eligible applicant categories.
Can a foreign (non-U.S.) organization apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are any foreign components allowed at all?
Yes. Foreign components are allowed when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition. This means an otherwise eligible U.S. applicant may be able to include certain foreign elements in the project if they are justified and compliant with NIH policy.
What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the activity category "Education, Environment, Health."
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listing associates this opportunity with CFDA numbers 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, and 93.866.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
What is the closing date shown in the provided listing?
The original closing date shown in the provided source information is 2019-01-07.
Is the award ceiling specified?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.
Is the expected number of awards specified?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing.
Why might the award ceiling and number of awards be unspecified?
Based on the provided information, this is common for parent announcements where final budgets and award counts depend on institute-specific priorities, available appropriations, and the applicant pool.
How should applicants think about the role of this award in their career stage?
Based on the description provided, the K02 is best understood as a mid-career catalyst for investigators early in independence who are already demonstrating strong promise and who can use several years of protected time and salary support to intensify research output and strengthen their scientific niche.
What kinds of activities does the award support beyond research?
The award is intended to support research and related career-advancing activities as part of an individualized career development plan, shaped around the investigator's needs, gaps, and objectives at the independent stage.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 18 371) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 - No Independent Clinical Trials) Apply for PA 18 394 Funding Number: PA 18 394 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program ( Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 489 Funding Number: PA 18 489 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Senior Fellowship (Parent F33) Apply for PA 18 672 Funding Number: PA 18 672 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Basic Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 704 Funding Number: PAR 18 704 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Basic Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 703 Funding Number: PAR 18 703 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Basic Mechanisms of Health Effects (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 845 Funding Number: PAR 18 845 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Basic Mechanisms of Health Effects (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 846 Funding Number: PAR 18 846 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 18 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 18 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 038 Funding Number: PAR 19 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT): Identification of Therapeutic Lead Compounds (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 039 Funding Number: PAR 19 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT): Optimization of Therapeutic Lead Compounds (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 040 Funding Number: PAR 19 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promoting Research on Music and Health: Fundamentals and Applications (R21 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA NS 19 009 Funding Number: RFA NS 19 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Immuno-Oncology Translation Network (IOTN): Cancer Immunoprevention Research Projects (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA CA 19 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 051 Funding Number: PAR 19 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 19 055 Funding Number: PA 19 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 053 Funding Number: PA 19 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 19 054 Funding Number: PA 19 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 052 Funding Number: PA 19 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PA 19 091 Funding Number: PA 19 091 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PA 19 092 Funding Number: PA 19 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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