NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is designed to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program facilitates a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program provides independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees launch competitive, independent research careers. The K99/R00 mechanism specifically supports basic experimental studies with humans required, providing funding across multiple NIH institutes and centers. This funding opportunity is designed to bridge the critical gap between postdoctoral training and independent faculty positions, helping talented early-career investigators establish themselves as independent researchers.