Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Required) | PA 19 118

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 118

The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) is an NIH career development grant aimed at helping early-career clinician-scientists build the skills, experience, and publication record needed to become independent investigators in patient-oriented research. It is specifically meant for people who already hold a clinical doctoral degree and have made a clear commitment to conducting research that directly involves human subjects or uses human-origin materials in ways that have a direct connection to patient care and clinical outcomes. The core idea is protected, mentored time plus a structured career development plan so the awardee can grow into a competitive, independent clinical researcher.

This particular version of the K23 (PA 19-118) is tailored to applicants who will be the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial. That includes running a full clinical trial, conducting a clinical trial feasibility study (for example, to test recruitment, adherence, acceptability, or operational procedures before a larger trial), or leading an ancillary clinical trial that is separate but linked to an existing parent trial (such as adding distinct outcomes, mechanistic endpoints, or sub-studies). The key point is that the applicant is not just participating in someone else s trial for training; they are proposing to lead the trial themselves as part of the mentored award. If an applicant does not plan to lead an independent clinical trial and instead wants mentored research experience that may occur within another investigator s trial, NIH directs them to apply to a companion K23 funding announcement intended for non-independent-trial proposals.

The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health and is categorized as a discretionary grant program. It spans many NIH mission areas reflected in the listed CFDA numbers (including multiple NIH institutes and centers), which signals that a wide range of patient-oriented research topics can fit as long as they align with the priorities of the institute or center to which the application is assigned. While the notice does not list a specific award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, K23 mechanisms generally emphasize a mentored development period with a combination of research activities and career development coursework, mentoring, and training, all organized around moving the applicant toward research independence.

A broad set of organizations can apply on behalf of an eligible candidate. Eligible applicant organizations include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses as well as small businesses), and multiple levels of government (state, county, city or township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types 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), certain tribal governments and tribal organizations, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth is meant to ensure that many research settings, including those serving underserved or underrepresented populations, can host and support K23 awardees.

On the other hand, the eligibility language draws clear boundaries around non-U.S. organizations. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization can include certain international elements of the research or collaboration when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

The listing indicates an original closing date of May 12, 2020, and a creation date of December 20, 2018. That dating is important because NIH FOAs are often reissued, updated, or replaced over time, so prospective applicants typically need to confirm the current active announcement, due dates, and any policy updates before preparing an application. The essential takeaway is that PA 19-118 supports mentored clinician investigators who will personally lead an independent clinical trial (or a feasibility or ancillary trial) as the research centerpiece of a structured career development plan in patient-oriented research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-12. (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 PA 19 118

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