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NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

US National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant unknown #grants-gov-PAR-23-288
Response due May 24, 2026 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) to support early-stage postdoctoral researchers in transitioning to independent research careers. The award provides mentored (K99) and independent (R00) phases of funding. This specific announcement requires that the proposed research include independent basic experimental studies with humans (BESH). The program is designed to facilitate the transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers to tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions at research institutions.

What they want

Technical requirements
  • Proposed research must include independent basic experimental studies with humans (BESH)
  • Applicant must be an early-stage postdoctoral researcher
  • Research must be relevant to the NCI mission (cancer biology, oncology, or related fields)
  • Award includes a mentored phase (K99) followed by an independent phase (R00)
Key personnel
  • Principal Investigator (early-stage postdoctoral researcher)
  • Mentor (senior faculty or established researcher to supervise K99 phase)

How they evaluate

Submission: Grants.gov federal grants portal submission

Risks & flags

  • Highly specialized eligibility: restricted to early-stage postdoctoral researchers only, excluding more senior applicants
  • Mandatory BESH (Basic Experimental Studies with Humans) requirement significantly narrows eligible research proposals
  • Source document is a portal listing only — no submission deadline, full FOA text, or award value range was provided; key details cannot be confirmed

Market context

inferred from NAICS
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
NAICS 541714
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 for Earl…
Due May 24
Onboard ↗