Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required) | PA 24 181

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 181

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08, Independent Clinical Trial Required) is an NIH career development grant designed to help clinically trained researchers build the skills, experience, and publication record needed to become independent investigators. Its central goal is workforce development: supporting qualified individuals with a clinical doctoral degree as they transition into research careers that address major U.S. health needs. The K08 is built around the idea of protected time, meaning the award is intended to buy time away from other professional duties (often clinical or administrative work) so the awardee can focus intensively on research and career development under close mentorship. The work supported can span biomedical research, behavioral research, and translational research, with an emphasis on rigorous training and mentored progression toward independence.

A defining feature of this specific Parent K08 announcement is the “Independent Clinical Trial Required” designation. In practical terms, this means the proposed research is expected to involve an independent clinical trial that the K08 candidate will lead, rather than merely participating in a clinical trial led by someone else. This requirement matters because NIH uses separate K08 pathways depending on whether the candidate will lead a trial, participate in one, or propose no trial at all. Applicants considering this opportunity should be prepared to show they can responsibly oversee the design and conduct of the trial, including appropriate supervision, infrastructure, and compliance planning, while still framing the project as a mentored, career-development-focused experience rather than a fully independent R01-style program.

The award mechanism is a discretionary NIH grant (Funding Opportunity Number PA-24-181) and falls under broad federal activity categories that include education and health. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers, reflecting that many NIH Institutes and Centers may use the Parent K08 to support clinician-scientist development in their particular mission areas. While the announcement does not list an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, the closing date runs through May 7, 2027, indicating that the opportunity is available across multiple receipt cycles during that window (as is typical for NIH parent announcements).

Eligibility is broad at the organization level and includes many types of domestic U.S. entities that can serve as the applicant institution on behalf of the candidate. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and a range of government entities such as state, county, and city governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and certain housing authorities. The notice also explicitly highlights additional eligible organization types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. These inclusions underscore NIH’s intent to make the mechanism accessible across diverse institutional settings, including organizations serving populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

At the same time, the announcement draws clear boundaries around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) 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 as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant institution may, in some circumstances, include certain foreign elements within the project when they are well-justified, properly structured, and consistent with NIH policy.

Overall, this K08 opportunity supports clinician-scientists who need a structured, mentored period to deepen research expertise while conducting a substantial research project that includes leading an independent clinical trial. The expected outcome is not just completion of a project, but measurable career progression: stronger research skills, a clearer area of scientific focus, mentorship-supported advancement, and improved competitiveness for subsequent independent NIH funding, all in service of long-term contributions to health-related research in the United States.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 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, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.310, 93.313, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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.

Apply for PA 24 181

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: