NIH Pathway to Independence Award

The overall goal of NIH-supported career development programs is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The objective of the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) initiative is to assist postdoctoral investigators in transitioning to a stable independent research position with NIH or other independent research funding. One of the most challenging transitions in any research career is the transition from postdoctoral trainee to independent scientist. Recent reports from the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science (Bridges to Independence: Fostering the Independence of New Investigators in Biomedical Research, and Advancing the Nation’s Health Needs: NIH Research Training Programs)have highlighted the need for enhanced efforts to foster the transition of postdoctoral scientists from mentored environments to independence.

NIH believes that the creativity and innovation of new independent investigators in their early career stages play an integral role in addressing our Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. However, the average age of first-time (new) Principal Investigators obtaining R01 research funding from the NIH has risen to 42 years for Ph.D. degree holders and 44 years for M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. degree holders. The intent of the K99/R00 program is to help alleviate this trend and to assist new investigators in transitioning to stable independent research positions at an earlier age and with an enhanced probability of success in obtaining independent NIH or other independent research support.

In addition to this initiative, NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) support a variety of other mentored career development programs designed to foster the transition of new investigators to research independence, which may be more suitable for particular candidates. Information describing all NIH Career Development Award programs can be found at the K Kiosk - Information about NIH Career Development Awards.