OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-23-286

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Oct 14, 2026(1 day left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH/NCI career-transition award for early-stage postdoctoral researchers moving into independent cancer research faculty careers, with the sponsoring institution applying on their behalf. Small-business owners with no postdoctoral researcher or cancer research program should not bother; the fit scores for retail, construction, and agriculture reflect only the deadline, not real relevance. Clinical trials as lead investigator are excluded under this notice.

Best for
Universities and research institutions sponsoring a postdoctoral fellow, Early-stage postdoctoral researchers with research or clinical doctorates moving toward tenure-track faculty roles, Nonprofits, tribal entities, and government bodies able to sponsor cancer research training, For-profit and small businesses that can host a mentored cancer research transition
Not for
Small businesses with no postdoctoral researcher or cancer research program, Organizations outside cancer research, such as construction, retail, or agriculture, Clinical trials led by the candidate (a companion NOFO covers that)
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
72
Good Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (training)
65
Good Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Food & BeverageLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Closes in 26 days
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (transit)
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Closes in 26 days
52
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Closes in 26 days
51
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Closes in 26 days
50
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Closes in 26 days
49
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Closes in 26 days
48
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, R&D, Training
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 2026-10-14.
Who can apply for this grant?
The applicant is typically the sponsoring institution. Eligible organizations include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), state, county, city, township, and special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations, public and Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, and for-profit organizations including small businesses. The actual candidate is an early-stage postdoctoral researcher with a research or clinical doctorate transitioning to an independent faculty career.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are listed as eligible, but the notice does not specify whether a sole proprietor or single-member LLC qualifies, and the award is built around a sponsoring institution for a postdoctoral researcher.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible applicants, though the award is designed to sponsor a specific postdoctoral researcher's transition to independence.

Summary

NIH/NCI K99/R00 award for early-stage postdoctoral researchers (with research or clinical doctorates) transitioning to independent faculty careers. The applicant is typically the sponsoring institution; eligible organizations include universities, nonprofits, governments, tribal entities, and for-profit/small businesses. Funds mentored and independent cancer research (no clinical trials).

About this grant

The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require an extended period of mentored research training 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. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to work with their institutions to apply. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Under this NOFO candidates are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Those proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should apply to the companion NOFOs (PAR-23-287 or PAR-23-288).

Who can apply

Other Eligible Applicants include the following:

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

Open opportunities funding similar work, from the same funder or in the same place.