[Limited] NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00)

[Danielle L Camp]

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00)

INTERNAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE [EXTENDED]
________________________________
Proposals due: August 3, 2026, 11:59 PM ET

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
________________________________
The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00)<https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/training/funding/early-k99> program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows who do not require an extended period of mentored research career development beyond their doctoral degrees. The objective of this award is to facilitate a timely transition of these fellows from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions.

PAR-23-286<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-286.html> is designed specifically for candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Under this FOA candidates are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

PAR-23-287<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-287.html> is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial.

AREAS OF RESEARCH SUPPORTED
________________________________
Each MIT application must represent a different Scientific Area:


  1.  Cancer Data Science: Cancer data science is defined as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry in which quantitative and analytical approaches, processes, and systems are both developed and used to extract knowledge and insights from increasingly large and/or complex sets of data. This includes cancer-focused data integration and visualization, systems biology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, informatics, genomics, precision oncology, and developing analytics for epidemiological or biostatistical studies.


  1.  Cancer Control Science: Cancer control science is defined as basic and applied research in the behavioral, social, and population sciences to create or enhance interventions that, independently or in combination with biomedical approaches reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes research in epidemiology, behavioral sciences, health services, surveillance, cancer survivorship, and healthcare policy.


  1.  Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention: Early translational research in cancer prevention is defined as basic research to understand mechanisms of cancer formation, development and progression of cancer precursors, and to translate basic biological knowledge into novel human interventions and human-centered adaption of current interventions with the potential to reduce cancer risk, incidence, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes but is not limited to research in molecular and systems biology, diagnostics, vaccine and drug development, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering.


  1.  Other Cancer Research: "Other Cancer Research" includes all scientific fields supported by the NCI that are not included in (A), (B) or (C). Applicants proposing research in (D) "Other Cancer Research" may apply only if it is reasonable to expect their candidates to transition to independence with an abbreviated period of mentored research training beyond their original doctoral degrees."

INTERNAL NOMINATION – MIT may nominate up to four applicants
________________________________
MIT postdoctoral scholars wishing to pursue nominations should speak with their PI and submit the following materials as a single PDF to: https://mitfunding.infoready4.com<https://mitfunding.infoready4.com/#limitedsubmissions>

  *   Description of Research Proposal (2-page limit, not including references):

     *   Title;
     *   Summary of the research;
     *   Introduction, importance how the combination of past research experiences and the proposed K99/R00 plans will contribute to achieving the long-term career goal;
     *   Research Strategy that clearly indicates the research planned for each phase and the significance, innovation and approach of the proposed research

  *   CV in NIH format
  *   Letter of Support from PI (1-page limit);

     *   The candidate must identify a mentor who will supervise the proposed career development and research experience. The mentor should be an active investigator in the area of the proposed research and be committed both to the career development of the candidate and to the direct supervision of the candidate’s research.

  *   Confirmation of eligibility from NCI (can be PDF of email correspondence)

AMOUNT OF THE AWARD
________________________________
Please see the solicitation for full details.

Mentored Phase (K99): NCI will contribute up to $100,000 per year toward the salary of the career award recipient.

Independent Phase (R00): The total cost for the independent phase (R00) may not exceed $249,000 per year. This amount includes salary, fringe benefits, research costs, and applicable indirect costs.

Eligibility Requirements
________________________________

  *   Must have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience as of the application due date
  *   Must be in mentored, postdoctoral training positions to be eligible to apply to the K99/R00 program
  *   Must have a clinical or research doctorate (including PhD, MD, or equivalent
  *   Must have a “full-time” appointment at the applicant institution

     *   Candidates are required to commit a minimum of nine person months of effort (i.e., 75% of full-time professional effort) to their program of career development during the mentored phase.

  *   R00 Phase: Although candidates are required to devote no less than nine person months of effort (i.e., 75% of their full-time professional effort) to research, the required research effort need not be devoted exclusively to the R00-supported research.

Candidates for the NOFOs will be required to provide a confirmation of their eligibility from NCI as a part of the internal competition materials.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES
________________________________
Internal Nomination Due: August 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Proposal due to RAS: October 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET
Proposal due to Sponsor: October 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
________________________________
For selected applicants, a Nomination Letter is required, which must be written and signed by the head of the candidate’s postdoctoral department or program. Please refer to the “Other Attachments” section in the NOFOs for the contents of the letter.

Please note MIT’s Committee on the Use of Humans as Experimental Subjects (COUHES) Guidance on Human Subjects Research:

  *   There are limitations on clinical trials at MIT which COUHES oversees.  Please refer to the guidance for clinical trials<https://couhes.mit.edu/clinical-trials-mit> for full details.
  *   If after reviewing the guidelines on the COUHES website<https://couhes.mit.edu/> for determining if the study is research, exempt research or requires full review is still unclear, the applicants should contact the COUHES office staff for additional guidance.
  *   If the applicants feel that the research is exempt, they can go through the exempt evaluation to determine if the study is exempt or needs full review.
  *   COUHES can give IRB approval prior to a grant application or at any stage of the grant process. However, a specific Human Subjects Research protocol must be ensured to give approval.
  *   If multiple institutions are involved, please refer to the COUHES Single IRB Review<https://couhes.mit.edu/single-irb-review>.
  *   COUHES offers virtual drop-in sessions<https://couhes.mit.edu/about-couhes/dates-and-deadlines> twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays.  No appointment is necessary.
  *   If you have questions or are seeking additional guidance, please contact COUHES (couhes at mit.edu<mailto:couhes at mit.edu>)

This opportunity is being provided with the understanding that any proposal submissions must be reviewed to ensure compliance with MIT policies and procedures. Any subsequent awards will be negotiated to ensure the inclusion of appropriate terms and conditions acceptable for an educational institution.

Any questions about this solicitation or other institutionally limited submissions can be directed to researchdev at mit.edu<mailto:researchdev at mit.edu>.

All my best,
~ Danielle


Danielle Camp | Research Development Officer | dcamp at mit.edu<mailto:dcamp at mit.edu> | 617-324-4902
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Research Administration Services<https://ras.mit.edu/>
NE18-901, 255 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139


To search for funding opportunities using the PIVOT database, please go here: https://pivot.proquest.com/dashboard

To manage your subscription to the MITfundops Listserv, please visit: http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/MITfundops <http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/MITfundops%20>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/mit-postdocs/attachments/20260716/b10a8a7e/attachment-0001.htm>