Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 19 011
The NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00), announced under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-NS-19-011, is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism designed to create a structured, supported bridge from late-stage PhD training into a neuroscience postdoctoral position. Its central goal is to strengthen the neuroscience research workforce by backing outstanding graduate students who come from backgrounds that are nationally underrepresented in neuroscience research and by giving them a defined, mentored pathway that carries across two key career stages. In practice, the award is meant to help a trainee finish the doctoral dissertation on a strong timeline, then successfully transition into a high-quality postdoctoral environment where they can deepen their research expertise and build the professional foundation needed for a long-term career as an independent neuroscience researcher.
A defining feature of D-SPAN is its two-phase structure, reflected in the F99/K00 activity codes. The first phase (F99) supports the final segment of doctoral training, emphasizing dissertation completion and preparing the trainee to compete for and enter the next stage of research training. The second phase (K00) supports the postdoctoral transition and early postdoctoral period, with a strong career development focus aimed at positioning the awardee to move toward independence. Across both phases, the program prioritizes robust mentoring and career development activities that match the awardee’s stated long-term objective of becoming an independent neuroscience investigator, rather than treating the postdoc simply as additional bench time. The intent is to reduce common transition barriers between graduate school and postdoctoral training and to provide continuity of support at a time when many trainees otherwise experience funding gaps or limited structured development.
The opportunity sits within NIH’s broader “Blueprint” effort, meaning it aligns with trans-NIH interests in neuroscience training and workforce development. While the notice references a wide set of CFDA numbers (including 93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.361, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867), the practical takeaway is that the program is administered through NIH and connected to multiple NIH components that support neuroscience and related training goals. The awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity category is listed as discretionary, with the funding instrument type being a grant and the broad activity category spanning areas such as education and health.
Eligibility, as presented in the source data, is broad at the organizational level and includes many common applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The notice also highlights additional eligible applicant categories that often align with workforce diversity goals, 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, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the announcement makes clear that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which means a U.S.-based applicant may, under NIH policy rules, include certain foreign elements in the project if properly justified and permitted under NIH definitions and requirements.
The timeline information provided indicates an original closing date of April 15, 2021, and a creation date for the opportunity record of October 3, 2018. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the supplied text, so applicants would normally need to consult the full NIH funding opportunity announcement and related NIH budget guidance to understand any institute-specific caps, standard allowance levels, and anticipated award volume. Overall, D-SPAN is best understood as a targeted, continuity-focused training-to-career-development award that concentrates resources at the critical PhD-to-postdoc handoff, with the explicit aim of supporting underrepresented trainees in neuroscience and strengthening their trajectory toward independent research careers.Apply for RFA NS 19 011
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00)" 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, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.361, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-15. (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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