NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 209

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 209

The NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help exceptional early-career scientists move from training roles within the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research into independent, extramural faculty-style positions. The central purpose is career development through transition: it supports highly qualified NHLBI intramural postdoctoral fellows and other doctoral-level researchers who are still in training and are ready to launch their own research programs at an external institution as junior investigators. In practical terms, it is meant to bridge the gap between intramural mentored research and the first stage of independence in an outside academic, clinical, or research setting.

This opportunity is issued by the NIH under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-24-209 and uses the grant funding instrument. It falls within NIH health-related research and training activities, tied to CFDA numbers 93.233 and 93.837 through 93.840. While the program is targeted to individuals currently training in NHLBI intramural programs, the applying organization types are broad, reflecting the variety of institutions that can host and support the awardee during the transition to an extramural appointment. Eligible applicant organizations include many categories of U.S.-based entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and there is also allowance for Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types that NIH commonly calls out to encourage broad participation across institutional missions and communities. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis signals that the program can be hosted in a wide range of settings, provided the environment can support the candidate’s transition to independence and the development of a distinct research program aligned with NHLBI’s mission areas.

At the same time, the eligibility rules are strict about international involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not permitted. In short, the award is intended to support an intramural-to-extramural transition that remains fully within eligible U.S.-based institutional structures.

A key scientific scope limitation is built into the title: “Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed.” That means the award mechanism is not intended to support an applicant who proposes to lead an independent clinical trial as part of the K22-supported activities. Applicants need to align their proposed work with the policy restrictions associated with “independent clinical trial not allowed,” shaping their research plan accordingly.

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and has an original closing date listed as 2027-07-12. The source data provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so the available information does not define a maximum budget or anticipated award volume in this summary. Overall, this K22 program is best understood as a structured NIH pathway for NHLBI intramural trainees to secure support that helps them establish themselves as independent investigators at eligible U.S. extramural institutions, while complying with the explicit prohibition on independent clinical trials and the prohibition on foreign components.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 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): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-07-12.
• 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 PAR 24 209

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