Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 21 060
The NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant program meant to help exceptional postdoctoral researchers move more quickly from mentored training into fully independent faculty careers. The core goal is to strengthen the pipeline of NCI-supported investigators by supporting a focused mentored phase followed by a transition into an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) position, with NCI support continuing across that transition so awardees can establish a competitive research program. It is specifically aimed at postdoctoral fellows who already have strong doctoral preparation (research and/or clinical doctoral degrees) and do not need a long additional period of mentored training beyond what they have already completed.
A central feature of this opportunity is the emphasis on a timely shift to independence. The K99 portion supports the candidate while they are still in a mentored postdoctoral role, helping them build the final set of skills, preliminary data, and productivity needed to compete for an independent faculty appointment. The R00 portion then provides support once the candidate secures an independent faculty position, giving them protected time and research funding to launch their lab or independent research direction and position themselves for future major NIH/NCI awards. NCI notes particular encouragement for applicants working in data science and cancer control science, signaling strong programmatic interest in research that improves cancer outcomes through analytics, computation, population-based approaches, implementation, prevention, survivorship, and related areas.
This specific FOA (RFA-CA-21-060) is the version that does not allow the applicant to lead an independent clinical trial. In practical terms, the proposed research plan cannot involve the applicant serving as the lead investigator for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. At the same time, the FOA does allow candidates to gain clinical trial experience as part of their training as long as the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. Applicants who do intend to lead a clinical trial or lead an ancillary clinical trial are directed to use the companion announcements (RFA-CA-21-061 or RFA-CA-21-062), which are structured for that purpose.
Eligibility for applying as an institution is broad and includes many common U.S. organizational types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and a range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special district governments), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations, and it explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Foreign participation rules are more restrictive. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components may be permitted under NIH policy (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), meaning parts of the work can potentially involve an allowable foreign component even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
From the opportunity metadata, this is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism under CFDA 93.398, with the FOA posted by NIH/NCI. The funding opportunity number is RFA-CA-21-060, and the original closing date listed in the source information was 2022-02-28. The program description does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the supplied text, but the intent is clear: to provide structured support that helps outstanding early stage postdoctoral researchers transition into stable, independent cancer research careers without requiring them to lead a clinical trial as part of the application.Apply for RFA CA 21 060
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent 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): 93.398.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-11-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-02-28. (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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FAQs: NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) - RFA-CA-21-060
What is the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) under RFA-CA-21-060?
It is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant program designed to help outstanding early stage postdoctoral researchers transition more quickly from mentored postdoctoral training to fully independent faculty careers. The award is structured in two phases: a mentored K99 phase followed by an independent R00 phase, with NCI support continuing across the transition.
What is the main goal of this program?
The core goal is to strengthen the pipeline of NCI-supported investigators by supporting a focused mentored phase and then supporting the transition into an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) research position so awardees can establish a competitive research program and pursue future major NIH/NCI funding.
Who is this program intended for?
It is aimed at exceptional postdoctoral fellows who already have strong doctoral preparation (research and/or clinical doctoral degrees) and who do not need a long additional period of mentored training beyond what they have already completed.
How does the two-phase K99/R00 structure work?
The K99 portion supports the candidate while they remain in a mentored postdoctoral role, helping them build skills, preliminary data, and research productivity needed to compete for an independent faculty appointment. The R00 portion then provides support after the candidate secures an independent faculty position, offering protected time and research funding to launch an independent research direction and establish a program positioned for future NIH/NCI awards.
What does the K99 (mentored) phase support?
The K99 phase supports the candidate during mentored postdoctoral training, with an emphasis on completing targeted preparation for independence, including building the final set of skills, generating preliminary data, and demonstrating productivity needed to compete for an independent faculty appointment.
What does the R00 (independent) phase support?
The R00 phase provides support once the candidate obtains an independent faculty position (tenure-track or equivalent). It is intended to provide protected time and research funding to launch a lab or independent research program and to help position the investigator to compete for subsequent major NIH/NCI awards.
What kinds of research areas does NCI particularly encourage for this FOA?
NCI notes particular encouragement for applicants working in data science and cancer control science. This signals programmatic interest in research that improves cancer outcomes through analytics, computation, population-based approaches, implementation, prevention, survivorship, and related areas.
Does this FOA allow the applicant to lead an independent clinical trial?
No. This FOA (RFA-CA-21-060) is the version that does not allow the applicant to lead an independent clinical trial. The proposed research plan cannot include the applicant serving as the lead investigator for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial.
Can an applicant still gain clinical trial experience under this FOA?
Yes. Clinical trial experience is allowed as part of the candidate's training as long as the clinical trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor, not by the applicant as the lead investigator.
What if an applicant wants to lead a clinical trial as part of their proposal?
Applicants who intend to lead a clinical trial or lead an ancillary clinical trial are directed to use companion announcements RFA-CA-21-061 or RFA-CA-21-062, which are structured for that purpose.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-CA-21-060.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
It is posted by NIH, specifically the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What type of grant mechanism is this?
The opportunity metadata describes it as an NIH discretionary grant mechanism.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.398.
Which organizations are eligible to apply as the applicant institution?
Institutional eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. organization types, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and many government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments). It also includes independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other tribal organizations.
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly highlights categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) institution apply as the main applicant organization?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization for this opportunity, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are any foreign components allowed in the research?
Potentially, yes. While a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant, foreign components may be permitted under NIH policy (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement). This means parts of the work could potentially involve an allowable foreign component even though the primary applicant organization must be U.S.-based.
What is the program trying to accelerate for postdoctoral researchers?
A central feature is a timely shift to independence. The program is structured to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move more quickly from mentored training into independent faculty roles, with continued NCI support during the transition so they can launch an independent research program.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or number of expected awards?
No. The supplied description does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What was the original closing date listed for this FOA in the provided metadata?
The original closing date listed in the source information was 2022-02-28.
What is the key distinction of RFA-CA-21-060 compared with its companion announcements?
RFA-CA-21-060 is the version that does not allow the applicant to lead an independent clinical trial (including feasibility or ancillary clinical trial studies led by the applicant). Applicants who plan to lead such trials are directed to RFA-CA-21-061 or RFA-CA-21-062 instead.
What kind of career outcome is this award designed to support?
It is designed to support a transition into a fully independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position and to help the awardee establish a competitive, independent cancer research program.
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