Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for PhD students and recent doctoral degree holders preparing to transition into postdoctoral research positions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents pursuing or having recently completed a research doctorate in a field related to NIH mission areas (biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences). The award supports training during the final stages of dissertation research and early postdoctoral years, typically lasting 1-3 years. Geographic scope is nationwide. The program funds salary support, training in research methods, and professional development activities that prepare early-career researchers for independent scientific careers.
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Key dates
- Jun 16, 2026 Applications open
- Dec 8, 2026 Award announced
- Dec 8, 2026 Project start
- Apr 8, 2029 Application deadline in 995 days
Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00) award. The goal of this award is to support and retain promising graduate students as they complete their doctoral research training and transition into mentored postdoctoral career development opportunities in research areas relevant to the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) - Application for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (including research plan and career development plan)
- Biosketch of applicant and mentor(s)
- Letters of recommendation from mentor and collaborators
- Institutional commitment and support documentation
- Research budget and justification
- Postdoctoral training plan and mentor information
- Biosketches of postdoctoral mentors
- Vertebrate animals, human subjects, or biosafety documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Biomedical Research Workforce Office of the Director Office of Extramural Research
- 📧 nihtrain@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 301-451-0993
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.273 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$125,900,663
-
$34,675,742
-
$34,469,501
-
$33,261,336
-
$32,897,567
-
$31,652,514
-
$30,394,602
-
$29,223,384
-
$29,195,978
-
$29,168,993
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $242.3M
- NY 3 awards $162.6M
- OR 7 awards $96.3M
- NC 4 awards $67.1M
- IN 3 awards $57.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.273). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $430,377,419 | |
| 2025 | $429,906,735 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,401,560 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this award?
Doctoral students in final years of their PhD program or individuals who have recently received their research doctorate. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents with an appointment at an NIH-eligible institution.
What types of activities does this award fund?
Salary support for the predoctoral and postdoctoral periods, training in specialized research techniques, professional development, and mentored research experience. Travel to scientific conferences and courses related to the research area are typically supported.
How competitive is this award?
This is a moderately competitive NIH award. Applicants need a strong research plan, promising letters of recommendation from mentors, and a clear career development trajectory. Success rates typically range from 20-30%.
What documents are required?
Standard NIH documents including the SF-424 research and related activities form, project narrative (research plan and career development plan), mentor letters, institutional support documentation, and a research budget with justification.
Are there multiple application deadlines?
NIH typically has multiple submission deadlines per year for this program type. Check grants.nih.gov for specific dates, as they may vary by fiscal year.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure strong mentorship: NIH prioritizes applications with clear evidence of mentoring support and availability. Get detailed letters from your advisor and collaborators emphasizing their investment in your development.
- Develop a clear career transition plan: Articulate how this award bridges your dissertation research and your future independent research direction. Show progression toward independence.
- Demonstrate research productivity: Include preliminary data, publications, or presentations showing you're an active contributor to your field. Strong prior research output strengthens competitiveness.
- Align with NIH mission areas: Ensure your research addresses a question relevant to the NIH institute or center (IC) to which you're applying. Review recent funded projects on the IC's website.
- Build a realistic budget and timeline: Propose a phased approach showing how you'll use predoctoral and postdoctoral support. Justify all proposed expenses with clear connections to research and development goals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they lack a clear distinction between dissertation research and postdoctoral research directions, making the transition plan appear unfocused. Additionally, weak mentorship documentation—including letters that lack specificity about mentor commitment or institutional support—significantly reduces competitiveness. Finally, applications that are heavily weighted toward research at the expense of career development and training components often score lower, as NIH emphasizes development of the individual scientist, not just the project.
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