Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 132
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), funding opportunity number PA 19 132, is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism meant to help newly independent researchers strengthen and accelerate their research careers. The core idea is to support scientists who have already reached independence but who still need a sustained, protected block of time to focus intensely on research so they can grow into more productive, influential investigators. The award is structured to foster the development of outstanding scientists and expand their capacity to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their fields, particularly by reducing competing demands and providing stable salary support.
This K02 provides three to five years of support, with the main benefit being salary support tied to "protected time" for research. In practice, that means the award is intended to buy out a portion of the recipient's effort so they can devote more of their workweek to research and career development rather than being pulled heavily into other responsibilities. A key expectation is that the career award program is individualized: the applicant is not forced into a one-size-fits-all training plan, but instead proposes a tailored plan that fits their background, their current stage as an independent scientist, and what they specifically need to become more competitive and impactful. The emphasis is on research focus and career enhancement, not on basic training for someone who is still pre-independence.
A defining feature of this particular K02 FOA is the clinical trial restriction. It is explicitly designed for applicants whose proposed research does not include serving as the lead investigator for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial. In other words, if the applicant intends to run their own clinical trial as the person responsible for the trial, this is not the correct announcement. However, the FOA does allow applicants to gain clinical trial-related experience as long as the trial is led by another investigator. That distinction matters: participating in or learning within a clinical trial setting under someone else's leadership is allowed, but proposing to lead a trial (including an ancillary trial) pushes the application into the companion FOA that is intended for independent clinical trial leadership (the text references a companion FOA placeholder as "XXXXX").
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. It also includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when categorized that way), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses, plus an "other" category that NIH sometimes uses to capture additional eligible organization types.
The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant types to emphasize inclusivity across institution categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, there are clear limits on foreign participation at the applicant organization level: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant institution. Even so, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning parts of the research may be carried out internationally under NIH rules if properly justified and structured, but the primary applicant organization must be eligible and domestic.
From a classification standpoint, the opportunity sits within NIH's broader health-related research and career development portfolio and is listed under multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866), reflecting that multiple NIH institutes and centers may use this parent announcement to support K02 awards in their respective mission areas. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is listed as Education, Environment, Health, consistent with a career development-style mechanism that supports research career progression. The source data also notes an original closing date of 2022-01-07 and a creation date of 2018-12-20; specific award ceilings and expected award counts are not provided in the excerpt, which is common in parent announcements where details can vary by institute, fiscal year, and applicant circumstances.
Overall, this K02 parent announcement is best understood as a career acceleration award for early-stage independent scientists who want a multi-year runway of protected research time, and who are proposing research that stays outside the scope of leading an independent clinical trial. It is designed to strengthen the applicant's trajectory as an independent investigator by enabling deeper research focus and sustained productivity, while directing anyone who wants to lead a clinical trial to the appropriate companion clinical-trial-allowed announcement.Apply for PA 19 132
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NIH Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is a discretionary NIH career development grant mechanism designed to help newly independent researchers strengthen and accelerate their research careers. The award is intended for scientists who have already reached independence but need sustained, protected time to focus intensely on research so they can become more productive and influential investigators over the long term.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The funding opportunity number is PA 19 132.
What is the main purpose of this K02 award?
The core purpose is to provide a multi-year runway of protected research time, primarily through stable salary support, so an independent investigator can reduce competing demands and concentrate on research and career enhancement.
How long does the K02 provide support?
This K02 provides three to five years of support.
What does "protected time" mean in practice?
"Protected time" refers to buying out a portion of the recipient's professional effort so they can devote more of their workweek to research and career development rather than being pulled heavily into other responsibilities.
Is this K02 meant for trainees or pre-independent researchers?
No. The emphasis is on research focus and career enhancement for investigators who are already independent, not on basic training for someone who is still pre-independence.
Do applicants have to follow a standard training plan?
No. A key expectation is that the career award program is individualized. The applicant proposes a tailored plan that fits their background, current stage as an independent scientist, and specific needs to become more competitive and impactful.
Are independent clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. This FOA is explicitly designed for applicants whose proposed research does not include serving as the lead investigator for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial.
What counts as "leading" an independent clinical trial for the purposes of this FOA?
Leading means the applicant would be the person responsible for running their own clinical trial as the lead investigator. The restriction also includes leading a clinical trial feasibility study or a separate ancillary clinical trial.
Can applicants still get clinical trial-related experience under this K02?
Yes. Applicants may gain clinical trial-related experience as long as the clinical trial is led by another investigator. Participating in or learning within a clinical trial setting under someone else's leadership is allowed.
What should an applicant do if they want to lead an independent clinical trial?
This is not the correct announcement for that situation. The FOA indicates that applicants intending to lead an independent clinical trial (including an ancillary clinical trial) should use the companion FOA intended for independent clinical trial leadership (referenced in the text as a companion FOA placeholder "XXXXX").
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Examples listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant list includes nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not categorized as institutions of higher education in that context).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant list includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and it also includes small businesses.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the eligible applicant types.
Which institution types are specifically highlighted for inclusivity?
The FOA calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are federal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the additional eligible applicant types listed.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the additional eligible applicant types.
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant institution for this FOA.
Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant institution.
Are foreign components allowed at all under this opportunity?
Yes. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This means parts of the research may be carried out internationally under NIH rules if properly justified and structured, but the primary applicant organization must be eligible and domestic.
Is this a grant or a contract?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The activity category is listed as Education, Environment, Health, consistent with a career development-style mechanism that supports research career progression.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, and 93.866. This reflects that multiple NIH institutes and centers may use this parent announcement to support K02 awards in their respective mission areas.
Do all NIH institutes use the same budget limits and award counts for this parent announcement?
Not necessarily. The excerpt does not provide specific award ceilings or expected award counts, which is common in parent announcements where details can vary by institute, fiscal year, and applicant circumstances.
What are the key dates mentioned in the source information?
The source data notes a creation date of 2018-12-20 and an original closing date of 2022-01-07.
Who is this K02 best suited for?
This K02 parent announcement is best understood as a career acceleration award for early-stage independent scientists who want sustained protected research time over multiple years and who are proposing research that stays outside the scope of leading an independent clinical trial.
What is the central benefit this award is trying to provide to recipients?
The central benefit is stable salary support linked to protected time, allowing the recipient to reduce competing demands and maintain sustained research focus and productivity.
What is the main "fit" issue that could make an application inappropriate for this FOA?
The main fit issue is proposing to serve as the lead investigator on an independent clinical trial (including feasibility studies or separate ancillary clinical trials). That scenario is directed to the companion clinical-trial-allowed announcement referenced in the FOA text.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Environment, Health
Next opportunity: The KUH Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program
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Apply for PA 19 132
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 19 132) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S.-China Program for Biomedical Collaborative Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 009 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 158 Funding Number: PAR 19 158 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Summer Research Education Experience Program (Clinical Trials Not Allowed R25) Apply for PAR 19 164 Funding Number: PAR 19 164 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Senior Fellowship (Parent F33) Apply for PA 19 187 Funding Number: PA 19 187 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 197 Funding Number: PAR 19 197 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH); K12 Clinical Trial Optional Apply for RFA OD 19 020 Funding Number: RFA OD 19 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Basic and Translational Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 252 Funding Number: PAR 19 252 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Environmental Influences on Aging: Effects of Extreme Weather and Disaster Events on Aging Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 250 Funding Number: PAR 19 250 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic and Translational Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 251 Funding Number: PAR 19 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 275 Funding Number: PAR 19 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Research Opportunities in Environmental Health Sciences (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 19 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| The Intersection of Sex and Gender Influences on Health and Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA OD 19 029 Funding Number: RFA OD 19 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Highly Innovative Tools and Technology for Analysis of Single Cells (SBIR) (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 047 Funding Number: PA 20 047 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Highly Innovative Tools and Technology for Analysis of Single Cells (STTR) (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 025 Funding Number: PA 20 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Data Repository (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 089 Funding Number: PAR 20 089 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Knowledgebase (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 097 Funding Number: PAR 20 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 165 Funding Number: PAR 20 165 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 168 Funding Number: PAR 20 168 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 20 174 Funding Number: PA 20 174 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 20 171 Funding Number: PA 20 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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