NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 24 318

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 318

The NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22 Clinical Trial Required) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed to help promising postdoctoral researchers make a strong, supported jump into independent faculty roles. It is framed as a transition award: it targets scientists who are currently in postdoctoral fellowships or equivalent early-career research positions and are preparing to move into an assistant professor-level appointment (or a comparable independent research position). The core goal is to help recipients launch an independent biomedical research career, with a particular emphasis on building a sustainable research trajectory in cancer-related fields.

A central feature of this K22 is its purpose as a diversity-focused career development mechanism. The program is administered through the Diversity Training Branch (DTB) within the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) at NCI, and it specifically invites applications from individuals who are from backgrounds that are nationally underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and/or social sciences. In practical terms, the award is intended to reduce barriers that can make the postdoc-to-faculty transition especially difficult, while also strengthening the diversity of the cancer research workforce and supporting investigators whose perspectives and research interests can contribute to addressing cancer disparities and improving outcomes across populations.

The award provides "protected time" by supporting both salary and research costs for a three-year period, beginning when the awardee starts a tenure-track faculty appointment. The intent is to create enough dedicated time and resources for the new investigator to establish a research program, publish, generate preliminary data, and become competitive for later-stage independent funding. Because this specific announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Required," applicants should expect that the proposed research and career development plan must include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and requirements for clinical trials, and should be prepared to address the design, conduct, oversight, and appropriate protections involved in clinical research.

From an eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is listed under NIH as a discretionary grant in the Education and Health activity area (CFDA 93.398). A wide range of applicant organizations can participate, including public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, among others. The notice also highlights several institution types often associated with serving underrepresented communities, such as 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 and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed, reinforcing that the work and the supported appointment are expected to be based within eligible U.S. settings and structures.

Key administrative details from the posting include the funding opportunity number PAR-24-318, with NIH as the issuing agency. The opportunity was created on 2024-12-02, and the listed closing date is 2028-01-07, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be submitted according to the announcement schedule and NIH receipt dates. The posting does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, so applicants typically need to consult the full NIH funding announcement and related NIH policy guidance for the most precise budget limits, allowable costs, and submission instructions tied to this K22 mechanism.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 PAR 24 318

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