NIH K99/R00 — Pathway to Independence
Two-phase career development award bridging postdoctoral training (K99, 1–2 years) and independent research (R00, 3 years). Highly valued on the faculty job market.
Scheme details
- Funding range
- K99 phase: max $125,000/year total costs · R00 phase: max $249,000/year direct costs
- Career stage
- Early career
- Scheme type
- Individual
- Eligibility
- Postdoctoral researchers within 4 years of PhD or terminal clinical degree. Must not have had a previous independent research grant. US citizenship not required.
- Format & limits
- Candidate Statement: 1 page · Career Development Plan: up to 6 pages · Research Plan (K99 + R00): up to 12 pages · Mentors' statements required
- Deadline
- Open now Standard K receipt dates: Feb 12, Jun 12, Oct 12 (new applications)
View official scheme page
https://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm
Ready to adapt your report?
Log in to adapt your research impact report specifically for NIH K99/R00 — Pathway to Independence.
Log in to adapt Don't have an account? Sign up freeAlways verify eligibility rules, word limits and deadlines on the funder's official website before applying. This information is indicative only.
Last updated: 2026-05-28
Other United States schemes
NSF Research Grants — Broader Impacts
The mandatory Broader Impacts criterion is a core component of all NSF proposals. Reviewers assess it alongside Intellectual Merit with equal weight.
NSF CAREER Award
NSF's most prestigious award for early-career faculty. Integrates an outstanding research programme with a compelling education and outreach plan.
NIH R01 — Significance & Innovation
The standard NIH investigator-initiated research grant. Significance and Innovation are two of the five scored review criteria, alongside Approach, Investigator(s), and Environment.