Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PDSP) (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HD 23 034

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 23 034

The Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PDSP) (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development grant opportunity designed to strengthen the pipeline of pediatric physician-scientists. The program was created to address a long-standing need for more pediatricians who can build independent research careers and lead high-quality academic research programs. Unlike many institutional K12 programs where mentoring and training are centered within a single university or medical center, the PDSP is structured as a national network. That national design is a core feature: it emphasizes cross-institutional matchmaking between promising pediatric trainees and highly accomplished senior investigators, building a broader and more standardized mentoring ecosystem than what a single-site program typically provides.

At its center, the PDSP supports pediatricians who are nearing completion of subspecialty training and are ready to move into the final, career-shaping phase of preparation for independence. The program’s model focuses on pairing these emerging investigators (often called scholars) with established mentors who have strong track records of research productivity. In practical terms, this means mentors are expected to have demonstrated success in conducting and publishing impactful research, and in many cases, experience securing competitive funding and guiding trainees into independent roles. The program also aims to develop and use clear guidelines for mentoring and career development, with the goal of making mentoring more consistent, effective, and outcome-driven across participating scholars and mentors. The intended end point is a successful transition into independent research careers in academic settings, meaning scholars should be positioned to compete for independent funding and launch sustainable research programs after the mentored period.

This opportunity uses the NIH K12 mechanism and is specifically labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” indicating the supported career development activities cannot include conducting an independent clinical trial as the primary supported research activity under this award. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services (CFDA 93.865). The opportunity is identified as RFA-HD-23-034, and the sponsoring agency is NIH.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S. organizational types that can administer training and career development programs. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. It also includes nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other applicants as allowed under NIH rules. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the FOA clearly restricts foreign participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

From a budget standpoint, the listed award ceiling is $1,400,000. The original closing date shown for this specific posting was 2022-09-12, and the record indicates it was created on 2022-08-10. Overall, the PDSP is best understood as a workforce-development investment in pediatric biomedical research: it is meant to create a more reliable path from late-stage clinical subspecialty training into productive, independently funded research careers by combining structured career development with high-caliber, nationally networked mentorship.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PDSP) (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,400,000.00 in funding.
• 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 RFA HD 23 034

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