Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 23 330
The BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00, Independent Clinical Trial Required) is an NIH funding opportunity designed to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move more quickly and securely from a mentored postdoctoral role into an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position while building a strong, diverse neuroscience research workforce. It sits within the NIH BRAIN Initiative, so the expectation is that the proposed work aligns with BRAIN-relevant research areas and contributes to the program goals of advancing neuroscience through innovative approaches. A key emphasis of this specific K99/R00 is promoting diversity among independent investigators supported by NIH, aiming to strengthen the pipeline of researchers from diverse backgrounds who are positioned to lead competitive, independent programs.
This mechanism is structured as a two-phase career transition award. The first phase (the K99 mentored phase) supports the candidate while they are still in a postdoctoral training environment, typically allowing them to complete crucial skill-building, generate publishable results, and sharpen a focused research direction under mentorship. The second phase (the R00 independent phase) is intended to provide research support once the candidate secures an independent faculty position, helping them establish their own lab, build momentum, and compete effectively for subsequent major NIH grants. In practice, the overall purpose is to reduce the gap between postdoctoral training and true independence by providing continuity of NIH support across that transition.
As indicated by the title, this funding opportunity is the “Independent Clinical Trial Required” version of the K99/R00, which signals that the proposed research is expected to include a clinical trial component as NIH defines it for this announcement. Applicants generally need to ensure their research plan fits the FOA’s clinical trial expectations, including appropriate design, oversight, milestones, and human subjects protections where applicable. This is an important distinction because NIH separates K and other funding announcements by whether clinical trials are allowed, required, or not permitted, and selecting the correct FOA affects eligibility and review requirements.
Eligibility for applying organizations is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities that can serve as the applicant institution for the award, such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, eligible federal agencies, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, among others. The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types aligned with the diversity mission, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain tribal governments and organizations. At the same time, it clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning parts of the work can be conducted internationally under NIH’s rules when justified, even though the primary applicant organization must be eligible and domestically based.
Administrative details from the listing include the agency (National Institutes of Health), the funding opportunity number (RFA-MH-23-330), the funding instrument (grant), and an original closing date of 2026-03-13. The opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers reflecting NIH program areas (93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867). The posted summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget structure, allowable costs, duration of each phase, and institute-specific considerations. Overall, the program is meant to identify highly promising postdocs, support their development with structured mentored research, and then provide a bridge of NIH funding that helps them launch independent, BRAIN-aligned research careers in a way that directly advances diversity in the neuroscience investigator community.Apply for RFA MH 23 330
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 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): 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-13. (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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FAQs: BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00, Independent Clinical Trial Required)
What is this funding opportunity?
The BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00, Independent Clinical Trial Required) is an NIH grant opportunity that supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers in transitioning from a mentored postdoctoral position to an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty role. It is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative and is intended to help build a strong and diverse neuroscience research workforce.
What is the main goal of this K99/R00 program?
The main goal is to reduce the gap between postdoctoral training and research independence by providing continuity of NIH support across the transition. The program is designed to help candidates build key skills, generate strong research outputs, and then launch an independent lab and competitive research program.
How does this opportunity connect to the NIH BRAIN Initiative?
Because this award sits within the NIH BRAIN Initiative, the expectation is that the proposed research aligns with BRAIN-relevant research areas and contributes to BRAIN program goals focused on advancing neuroscience through innovative approaches.
What does "to Promote Diversity" mean in this announcement?
This specific K99/R00 emphasizes promoting diversity among NIH-supported independent investigators. The stated intent is to strengthen the pipeline of researchers from diverse backgrounds who are positioned to lead competitive, independent neuroscience research programs.
What is the structure of the K99/R00 award?
This is a two-phase career transition award:
- K99 mentored phase: Supports the candidate while they remain in a postdoctoral training environment to build skills, produce publishable results, and refine a focused research direction under mentorship.
- R00 independent phase: Provides research support after the candidate secures an independent faculty position, helping them establish their own lab, build momentum, and compete for subsequent major NIH grants.
What is the purpose of the K99 (mentored) phase?
The K99 phase is intended to support a candidate still working in a mentored postdoctoral setting. It is described as a period to complete critical skill-building, develop and sharpen a focused research direction, and generate strong results (including publishable findings) under mentorship.
What is the purpose of the R00 (independent) phase?
The R00 phase is meant to support the candidate once they obtain an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position. It is designed to help the awardee establish an independent lab, build early momentum as a new investigator, and strengthen competitiveness for later NIH funding.
Does this opportunity require a clinical trial?
Yes. This is the "Independent Clinical Trial Required" version of the K99/R00. The listing indicates the proposed research is expected to include a clinical trial component as NIH defines it for this announcement.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Required" imply for the application?
It implies that applicants generally need to ensure the research plan fits the FOA's clinical trial expectations, including appropriate trial design, oversight, milestones, and human subjects protections where applicable. It also signals that NIH has specific review and compliance expectations tied to clinical trial requirements.
Why does NIH emphasize whether clinical trials are allowed, required, or not permitted?
The listing notes that NIH separates funding announcements based on clinical trial status (allowed, required, or not permitted). Selecting the correct FOA matters because it affects eligibility and review requirements.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-MH-23-330.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the application closing date listed in the summary?
The listing shows an original closing date of 2026-03-13.
Is this mandatory or discretionary funding?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The eligibility described is broad for U.S.-based applicant organizations. Examples listed include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, eligible federal agencies, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, among others.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible applicants?
Yes. The listing explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types aligned with the diversity mission, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The listing includes faith-based or community-based organizations among the eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or regional organizations included in eligible applicants?
Yes. The listing includes regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions as eligible applicant types.
Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The summary references certain tribal governments and organizations as eligible applicant types.
Can a non-U.S. (non-domestic) organization apply as the applicant institution?
No. The summary states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. The summary states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are any international activities allowed under this award?
Yes, in a limited way. The summary indicates that "foreign components" are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This means parts of the work may be conducted internationally under NIH rules when justified, even though the primary applicant organization must be eligible and domestically based.
Does the listing state the award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The posted summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. The summary suggests applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget structure, allowable costs, duration of each phase, and institute-specific considerations.
What NIH program identifiers (CFDA numbers) are associated with this opportunity?
The summary associates this opportunity with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
What kind of career stage is this opportunity designed to support?
Based on the summary, it is designed for postdoctoral researchers in a mentored training environment who are preparing to transition to an independent faculty role.
What is meant by "tenure-track (or equivalent)" in the program description?
The summary indicates the R00 phase is intended to support the awardee after they secure an independent, tenure-track position or an equivalent independent faculty position, reflecting that institutions may use different appointment structures while still meeting the independence intent described.
What are the expected outcomes of participating in this program?
The summary emphasizes outcomes such as accelerated and more secure transition to independence, continuity of NIH support across the postdoc-to-faculty change, establishment of an independent lab, increased competitiveness for major NIH grants, and a strengthened pipeline of diverse independent investigators in neuroscience.
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| BRAIN Initiative: Targeted BRAIN Circuits Projects- TargetedBCP (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 024 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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