Key Dates

Related Announcements

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Issued by

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

Purpose

Policy Update

The purpose of this Notice is to inform the extramural research community of a temporary exception to the NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS) Section 12.3.7, which generally limits eligibility for mentored career development (K) awards to those who have not previously been the recipient of such awards.  Effective immediately, NIH will allow individuals whose mentored career development awards prematurely ended on or after January 1, 2025, to be eligible to apply for a new mentored career development award, contingent upon all other eligibility requirements being met.

Background

NIHGPS Section 12.3.7 states that mentored K award recipients are generally not eligible to apply for another mentored K award.  However, NIH recognizes that mentored career development award recipients may encounter circumstances (e.g., the experience of critical life events, etc.) that may prematurely end their mentored training period, potentially disrupting their career development trajectory.  To address this concern and to ensure reasonable access to NIH-supported career development opportunities, NIH is implementing this temporary policy exception.

Implementation

This policy exception is applicable to:

• Investigators that meet all other NIH eligibility requirements for mentored career awards and for whom this exception will enable completion of career development goals and progression towards research independence.
• Investigators previously awarded competing or non-competing continuation career development awards that prematurely ended on/or after January 1, 2025.

Included within the application, investigators should provide a justification (including timelines) addressing the need for additional mentored research training and career development.  NIH maintains the authority to approve or reduce requested years of support based on justification provided by the applicant.  All other NIHGPS requirements remain unchanged unless explicitly stated in this Notice.  

Effective Date and Duration

This exception is effective immediately and will remain in effect until July 31, 2026. NIH will evaluate the impact of this policy and may revise or rescind this exception based on that review.

Authority: NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS), Part II, Sections 8.1.2.9 and 12.3.7

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Division of Grants Policy
Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration
Email: [email protected]