Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required) | PA 24 187

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 187

The NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) (Funding Opportunity Number PA-24-187) is a discretionary NIH grant designed to strengthen and sustain the careers of established, mid-career clinician-researchers who are actively engaged in patient-oriented research. The central aim is to buy protected time so these investigators can continue leading high-quality research that directly involves human participants while also serving as hands-on research mentors. The mentoring emphasis is a defining feature of the K24 mechanism: awardees are expected to guide and develop the next generation of clinical researchers, with a particular focus on clinical residents, clinical fellows, and junior clinical faculty.

This specific K24 announcement is labeled “Independent Clinical Trial Required,” which signals that the applicant is expected to be proposing or conducting an independent clinical trial as part of the award’s research and career development plan. In other words, this is not only about carving out time for research and mentoring; it is structured for investigators whose work includes a clinical trial component that they lead, consistent with NIH definitions and expectations around clinical trial responsibilities. Applicants typically need to show that they have the experience, research environment, and institutional support to successfully manage and execute patient-oriented research and the associated mentoring program, and that the protected time will be used in a way that measurably advances both their research trajectory and the development of their mentees.

Eligibility is broad at the organizational level, reflecting NIH’s intent to make the program accessible across many sectors that support clinical research and training. Eligible applicant organizations include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government organizations (state, county, city or township, special district governments). Also included are independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations. The opportunity explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types that NIH is encouraging, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, along with Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized.

At the same time, there are clear limits regarding non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may include certain project activities or collaborations involving foreign sites or resources if they meet NIH’s foreign component rules and are appropriately justified and approved.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under education, environment, and health, consistent with a career development mechanism that blends research productivity with training and mentoring outcomes. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA/assistance listing numbers (including 93.113, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.855, and 93.866), reflecting the fact that different NIH Institutes and Centers may use this parent K24 announcement to support midcareer patient-oriented researchers aligned with their missions. The original closing date is May 7, 2027, indicating an extended window during which standard NIH application cycles and due dates typically apply under the parent announcement structure. The notice does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, which is common in parent announcements where budgets and award counts can vary by Institute, year, and appropriations.

In practical terms, this opportunity is best understood as NIH support for a clinician-scientist who has already demonstrated independence and productivity in patient-oriented research and is now positioned to amplify their impact by dedicating protected effort to both research leadership (including an independent clinical trial) and structured mentorship. The K24 is designed to create a multiplier effect: advancing rigorous research that involves human participants while simultaneously building a stronger pipeline of clinically trained investigators who can carry patient-oriented research forward.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.855, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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.

Apply for PA 24 187

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