Eligibility

• Candidates for the K25 award must have an advanced degree in a quantitative area of science or engineering (e.g., MSEE, PhD, DSc) and have demonstrated research interests in their primary quantitative discipline (including research outside of biomedicine, behavioral sciences, bioimaging, or bioengineering). 
• At the time of award, the candidate must have a full-time appointment at the applying academic institution and be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
• Current and former PDs/PIs on NIH research project (R01), program project (P01), center grants (P50), sub-projects of program project (P01), sub-projects of center grants (P50), other career development awards (K-awards), or the equivalent are not eligible. 
• Current and former PDs/PIs of an NIH Small Grant (R03), Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21), Dissertation Award (R36), or SBIR/STTR (R41, R42, R43, R44) remain eligible.

Funding Priorities

•  The K25 award will provide support and "protected time" for a period of supervised study and research for productive professionals with quantitative (e.g., mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, imaging science, informatics, physics, chemistry) and engineering backgrounds to integrate their expertise with NIH-relevant research.
• The K25 award is intended to attract talented individuals with highly-developed quantitative skills to the challenges of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. 
• At the completion of the award, candidates will have the knowledge and skills necessary to compete for independent research support from NIH, or to participate as leading members of multidisciplinary research teams.

Additional Information

• Because of the focus on a progression toward independence as a quantitative biomedical, behavioral, bioimaging, or bioengineering researcher, the prospective candidate for the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award will require enhanced skills in the experimental, theoretical and conceptual approaches used in biomedicine, behavioral science, bioimaging or bioengineering.
  • To satisfy this requirement, the candidate should propose a period of study and career development that is complementary to his or her previous research and experience.
• Candidates should strongly consider incorporating into their training plan formal courses in relevant areas of biomedicine, behavioral science, bioimaging, or bioengineering; this program offers a unique opportunity to devote protected time to this activity.
• The participating NIH Institutes and Centers will provide research development support for the award recipient (Table of IC-Specific Information, Requirements and Staff Contacts). These costs may be used for the following expenses:
  • tuition and fees related to career development;
  • research expenses, such as supplies, equipment and technical personnel;
  • travel to research meetings or training; and
  • statistical services including personnel and computer time.
• Salary for mentors, secretarial and administrative assistants, etc. is not allowed.
• Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs.
• Application Due Dates:
  • February 12, 2021
  • June 12, 2021