NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award

K99/R00 Basics

  • Typically, postdocs apply for the K99/R00 in the 3rd - 4th year of their postdoc
  • Eligibility windows vary by K99/R00 program; see details below
  • Funding covers the final 1-2 years of postdoc + 3 years of independent research
K99/R00 - Choosing your track graphic: Shows a decision tree for applying through the Parent, MOSAIC, or BRAIN Initiative K99/R00 track. If the applicant identifies as a scientist from a background under-represented in the health sciences using NIH's criteria, they qualify for the MOSAIC and BRAIN Initiative tracks.

Full description of groups underrepresented in the health-related / biomedical sciences: Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031)

NIH's BRAIN Initiative

  • U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident, OR non-U.S. Citizen
  • No more than four years (48 months) of postdoctoral research experience*

* 1-year extensions granted for childbirth, and can be requested for other critical life events. See details here.
* See COVID-related extensions here

Parent K99/R00 funding announcements

* 1-year extensions granted for childbirth, and can be requested for other critical life events. See details here.

BRAIN Initiative K99/R00 funding announcements

  • U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident
  • Member of a group under-represented in the health / biomedical sciences at the faculty level (all women are eligible by these criteria)
    • Note: all women are eligible
    • See "Choosing your track" info-graphic above for more info
  • Have not been a postdoc for more than 4 years*
    • Strongly encouraged to apply in 3rd year (even if first-author postdoc paper has not been published)

* 1-year extensions granted for childbirth, and can be requested for other critical life events. See details here.
* See COVID-related extensions here

MOSAIC K99/R00 funding announcements

Participating NIH Institutes include: NINDS, NIMH, NEI, NIDCD, NIA, NIDA, NIBIB, NIDDK, NIGMS. (See PAR for full list.)

Planning your writing

Writing timeline starting at 8 weeks before the deadline, with writing and preliminary data collection suggestions, as well as check-in points on the way to the deadline. These items are also mentioned in the text below.

1. Grant Kickoff Meeting
You will receive a dropbox with:

  • Proposal checklist
  • Funded sample applications
  • Template files
  • Instructions for sending reference letter requests
  • Review criteria and how to address them

2. Proposal editing

3. Summary Statement Review + Strategy Meeting