Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 121
The NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) is a career development grant aimed at established, mid-career clinician-researchers who already have a track record in patient-oriented research and are positioned to both deepen their own research programs and train the next generation of clinical investigators. The core idea is to buy protected time for a health-professional doctorate to focus on patient-oriented research (POR) while also formalizing and strengthening their role as a research mentor. Mentorship is not a side feature here; the award is structured so that recipients spend significant effort mentoring primarily clinical residents, clinical fellows, and/or junior clinical faculty, helping them develop into independent patient-oriented researchers.
This particular Funding Opportunity Announcement, PA 19-121, is the K24 "Independent Clinical Trial Required" version. That means applicants must be proposing to lead an independent clinical trial as part of their research and career development plan. NIH includes several qualifying scenarios under that umbrella: serving as lead investigator of a full independent clinical trial, conducting a clinical trial feasibility study, or leading a separate ancillary clinical trial that is distinct and scientifically justified. The point is that the applicant is not simply participating in someone else’s trial to gain experience; they are expected to be in charge of the trial (or the feasibility/ancillary trial) and responsible for its scientific leadership. If an applicant is not planning to lead an independent clinical trial, or instead plans to obtain clinical trial experience under another investigator’s trial, NIH directs them to apply to the companion FOA (PA-18-394) rather than this one.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant funded by the National Institutes of Health under an activity category associated with education and health, reflecting the blend of mentored career development and research leadership. The opportunity lists multiple CFDA numbers (now part of Assistance Listings), indicating that different NIH Institutes and Centers may use this mechanism to support K24 awards across a range of disease areas and clinical research topics. While the listing provides an "OriginalClosingDate" of 2020-05-07 and does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, the defining features remain the purpose of protecting the investigator’s time, advancing patient-oriented research, and building mentorship capacity within clinical training environments.
Eligibility is broad at the organizational level and includes many common U.S. applicant organization types: public and private institutions of higher education; state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and an "other" category that typically captures additional eligible entities defined by NIH policy. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized tribes. At the same time, it draws clear boundaries around foreign participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may include certain international elements in the project when justified and compliant with NIH policy.
In practical terms, the K24 is best understood as an investment in a mid-career clinician-investigator who can demonstrate three things at once: a strong and ongoing patient-oriented research program, a credible plan to lead an independent clinical trial (or feasibility/ancillary clinical trial) under this FOA, and a robust mentoring plan that will translate the award’s protected time into measurable training and career advancement outcomes for mentees in clinical research pathways. The emphasis on patient-oriented research and hands-on mentoring reflects NIH’s goal of strengthening the clinical research workforce by supporting experienced investigators who can simultaneously produce high-quality human-subjects research and build durable mentorship pipelines within academic medical centers and other clinical research settings.Apply for PA 19 121
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.855, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)?
The NIH K24 is a career development grant designed for established, mid-career clinician-researchers with a demonstrated track record in patient-oriented research (POR). Its central purpose is to provide protected time so the investigator can further advance their own patient-oriented research program while also strengthening and formalizing their role as a research mentor.
What is the main goal of this K24 opportunity?
The award is structured to accomplish two goals at the same time: (1) buy protected time for an eligible mid-career clinician-researcher to focus on patient-oriented research, and (2) support substantial, structured mentoring of developing clinical investigators so they can progress toward independence in patient-oriented research careers.
Who is this award intended for?
This K24 is aimed at established, mid-career clinician-researchers who already have an ongoing patient-oriented research program and are well-positioned to mentor the next generation of clinical investigators. The FOA emphasizes that applicants should already have a track record in patient-oriented research and be able to demonstrate strong mentoring potential and/or an active mentoring role.
What does "patient-oriented research (POR)" mean in the context of this award?
Based on the information provided, patient-oriented research here refers broadly to human-subjects research where the investigator is conducting research involving patients and clinically relevant questions. The award’s focus is on strengthening high-quality clinical research leadership and the workforce pipeline that supports it.
What makes mentorship a core requirement of the K24?
Mentorship is not treated as an add-on. The K24 is designed so award recipients devote significant effort to mentoring, particularly in clinical training environments. The program expects mentoring to be a major component of the award, translating protected time into tangible training and career development outcomes for mentees.
Who are the primary mentees expected under this award?
The award emphasizes mentoring primarily clinical residents, clinical fellows, and/or junior clinical faculty. The goal is to help these trainees and early-career clinicians develop into independent patient-oriented researchers.
What Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is described here?
This opportunity is NIH FOA PA 19-121, described as the K24 "Independent Clinical Trial Required" version.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Required" mean for PA 19-121?
It means the applicant must propose to lead an independent clinical trial as part of their research and career development plan. The intent is that the applicant will be in charge of the clinical trial (or qualifying alternative) and responsible for scientific leadership, rather than participating in another investigator's trial to gain experience.
What types of clinical trial leadership scenarios qualify under this FOA?
NIH identifies several qualifying scenarios under the "independent clinical trial" umbrella, including: serving as lead investigator of a full independent clinical trial, conducting a clinical trial feasibility study, or leading a separate ancillary clinical trial that is distinct and scientifically justified.
Can an applicant apply if they are only participating in someone else's clinical trial?
No. The information provided indicates the applicant is expected to lead the trial (or the feasibility/ancillary trial) and be responsible for scientific leadership. If the plan is to gain clinical trial experience under another investigator's trial instead of leading one, NIH directs applicants to a companion FOA rather than PA 19-121.
What should someone do if they are not planning to lead an independent clinical trial?
If an applicant is not planning to lead an independent clinical trial, or is instead planning to obtain clinical trial experience under another investigator's trial, NIH directs them to apply to the companion FOA PA-18-394 rather than PA 19-121.
What is the role of protected time in the K24?
The core concept described is to "buy protected time" for a clinician-researcher (with a health-professional doctorate) so they can focus more of their effort on patient-oriented research and on mentoring developing clinical investigators.
Is this opportunity focused more on research, education, or both?
Both. The opportunity is described as a discretionary NIH grant under an activity category associated with education and health, reflecting the blend of mentored career development, research leadership, and structured mentoring of clinical investigators.
Which NIH areas or topics does this K24 support?
The listing references multiple CFDA numbers (now called Assistance Listings), suggesting that different NIH Institutes and Centers may use the K24 mechanism to support awards across a range of disease areas and clinical research topics.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided text notes that the listing does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
What is the closing date listed in the provided information?
The listing includes an "OriginalClosingDate" of 2020-05-07.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility at the organizational level is broad and includes: public and private institutions of higher education; state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and an "other" category that generally captures additional eligible entities under NIH policy.
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for organizations such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly mentions U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA text mentions eligible federal agencies as part of the additional eligible applicant categories.
Can foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Are any international elements allowed in a project under this FOA?
Yes. While non-U.S. entities cannot be the applicant organization, the FOA states that foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed when included by a U.S.-based applicant and handled in compliance with NIH policy.
What does NIH seem to be investing in through this K24?
The K24 is described as an investment in a mid-career clinician-investigator who can demonstrate: an ongoing and strong patient-oriented research program, a credible plan to lead an independent clinical trial (or qualifying feasibility/ancillary clinical trial) under PA 19-121, and a robust mentoring plan that produces measurable career development outcomes for mentees in clinical research pathways.
What are the key expectations an applicant should be ready to demonstrate?
Based on the description, the defining expectations are: (1) a demonstrated track record in patient-oriented research, (2) scientific leadership of an independent clinical trial (or qualifying feasibility/ancillary clinical trial) as part of the plan under this FOA, and (3) substantial mentoring effort focused on developing clinical trainees and junior faculty into independent patient-oriented researchers.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 122 Funding Number: PA 19 122 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 19 131 Funding Number: PA 19 131 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 132 Funding Number: PA 19 132 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S.-China Program for Biomedical Collaborative Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 009 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 158 Funding Number: PAR 19 158 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Summer Research Education Experience Program (Clinical Trials Not Allowed R25) Apply for PAR 19 164 Funding Number: PAR 19 164 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Senior Fellowship (Parent F33) Apply for PA 19 187 Funding Number: PA 19 187 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 197 Funding Number: PAR 19 197 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH); K12 Clinical Trial Optional Apply for RFA OD 19 020 Funding Number: RFA OD 19 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Basic and Translational Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 252 Funding Number: PAR 19 252 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Environmental Influences on Aging: Effects of Extreme Weather and Disaster Events on Aging Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 250 Funding Number: PAR 19 250 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic and Translational Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 251 Funding Number: PAR 19 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 275 Funding Number: PAR 19 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Research Opportunities in Environmental Health Sciences (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 19 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| The Intersection of Sex and Gender Influences on Health and Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA OD 19 029 Funding Number: RFA OD 19 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Highly Innovative Tools and Technology for Analysis of Single Cells (SBIR) (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 047 Funding Number: PA 20 047 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Highly Innovative Tools and Technology for Analysis of Single Cells (STTR) (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 025 Funding Number: PA 20 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Data Repository (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 089 Funding Number: PAR 20 089 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Knowledgebase (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 097 Funding Number: PAR 20 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 165 Funding Number: PAR 20 165 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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