Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PA 24 180

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 180

The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) under PA-24-180 is a career development grant designed to help newly independent investigators strengthen and accelerate their research careers. The main idea is to give promising scientists a sustained period of protected time and salary support so they can focus intensely on research and build a stronger trajectory toward major contributions in their field. The award typically provides three to five years of support, and the career development plan is expected to be individualized, meaning it should be tailored to the candidate's specific scientific goals, gaps, and needs as they transition into or solidify independence.

This particular Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement is specifically intended for independent basic experimental studies with humans. NIH treats these projects as clinical trials because they prospectively assign human participants to one or more conditions, meaning the study includes an experimental manipulation of an independent variable, and then measures biomedical or behavioral outcomes in people. At the same time, NIH considers these studies "basic research" because the purpose is to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena rather than to test a specific clinical application, product, or practice. In practical terms, this FOA fits research that experimentally probes basic biological, psychological, or behavioral processes in humans, using prospective assignment and outcome assessment, where the motivation is foundational understanding rather than immediate translational impact.

A key requirement is that applicants using this FOA should be planning to lead an independent study that meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial and also qualifies as basic experimental research in humans. If an applicant is not proposing an independent clinical trial/basic experimental study with humans, or if they mainly want training or experience on a trial led by another investigator, NIH directs them to apply instead to the companion K02 announcement that is "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed." In other words, the distinguishing feature here is that the candidate's research plan includes an independent, prospectively assigned human experimental study that meets the clinical trial definition, even though it is basic science in intent.

The proposed work must align with the mission and programmatic interests of one or more participating NIH Institutes and Centers, so applicants generally need to ensure a strong fit with the relevant NIH component's scientific priorities. Administratively, this is a discretionary grant mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health, with activity in the education and health area and CFDA numbers including 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.853, and 93.866. The opportunity was created on April 26, 2024, and the listed original closing date is May 7, 2027.

Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government organizations such as state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and federally recognized tribal governments, as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The announcement also explicitly highlights eligibility for several institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISISs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply directly, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components (as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, which means certain project elements may occur abroad under NIH rules even though the applicant organization must be eligible and appropriately based.

Overall, PA-24-180 is best understood as a protected-time, salary-support K02 pathway for newly independent researchers who need concentrated research time to expand their impact, specifically when their research plan involves a basic, mechanistic experimental study in human participants that qualifies as a clinical trial under NIH policy.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.853, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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 PA 24 180

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