NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00-Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 18 432

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 432

The NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 - Clinical Trial Required), funding opportunity number PAR-18-432, is an NIH grant program meant to grow and sustain a strong pipeline of dual degree dentist-scientists who are ready to become independent investigators. It targets individuals in mentored, postdoctoral research positions and is structured to help them move efficiently into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty roles. The overall goal is to reduce the gap between advanced research training and launching an independent academic research career in oral, dental, and craniofacial science, while ensuring awardees build the skills, track record, and research momentum needed to compete successfully for long-term funding.

The award uses a two-phase design. The K99 phase provides up to two years of mentored support, typically focused on advanced training, career development, and generating the strong preliminary data and publications needed to transition to independence. After meeting the program requirements and securing an eligible independent position, the awardee moves to the R00 phase, which provides three to five years of independent research support. The standard expectation is three years of R00 support, but the program allows an extension up to five years to accommodate clinical specialty training needs, as long as that clinical training does not exceed 3 person-months of effort (25 percent effort) in any year of the R00 phase. This design is meant to reflect the realities of dentist-scientist careers, where clinical responsibilities and specialty training can intersect with the early years of building an independent lab or research program.

As indicated by the title and requirements, this specific K99/R00 announcement is a "Clinical Trial Required" opportunity, meaning the proposed research is expected to include a clinical trial component as defined under NIH policies, and applicants should plan to address the design, oversight, and operational requirements that come with clinical trials. This typically affects how the research plan is written, how milestones and monitoring are described, and what expertise and infrastructure are included on the team to ensure participant safety and data integrity.

Eligible applicant organizations are broad and include many types of U.S.-based entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, special district governments, independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education). The announcement also lists additional eligible 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply; however, foreign components may be allowable under NIH policy as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

This is a discretionary grant mechanism under the NIH, within the health funding activity category, and is associated with CFDA number 93.121. The posting indicates an original closing date of 2022-01-07 (with a creation date of 2017-12-15). No award ceiling or expected number of awards is specified in the provided source data, which is common for some NIH funding announcements where budgets follow NIH institute policies and the number of awards can vary by year based on appropriations and program priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00-Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 18 432

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