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NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

US · MD National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant open #PAR-25-135
Response due Oct 14, 2027 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), under NIH/HHS, is offering the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) to support outstanding postdoctoral researchers in transitioning to independent research careers. The K99 phase provides mentored research support, while the R00 phase supports independent research. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this award mechanism. The opportunity is open for applications over a multi-year window from November 2024 through October 2027.

What they want

The NCI Pathway to Independence Award (PAR-25-135) is a two-phase career development grant mechanism. The K99 phase provides up to two years of mentored postdoctoral research support. The R00 phase provides up to three years of independent research support following transition to a faculty or independent research position. Clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Applicants must be postdoctoral researchers seeking to establish an independent cancer-focused research program.
Technical requirements
  • Clinical trials are not allowed
  • Applicants must be postdoctoral researchers
  • Research must be cancer-focused
  • Two-phase award: K99 (mentored) and R00 (independent)

How they evaluate

Submission: Grants.gov federal grants portal (electronic submission)

Risks & flags

  • Very long open window (nearly 3 years) may reflect rolling/cyclical submission deadlines rather than a single competition — multiple due dates likely apply within this window
  • Highly specialized eligibility (postdoctoral researchers only) narrows the applicant pool significantly
  • Clinical trial restriction explicitly limits scope, which may disadvantage translational researchers

Market context

inferred from NAICS
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
NAICS 541711
US market size
$2.0T
Typical award
$25K – $50M
Typical buyers
All federal civilianDoDStates
Commonly required
8(a)WOSBSDVOSBPE/PMP

Sector-level estimate — full code lookup not yet in catalog.

NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00…
Due Oct 14
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