Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career researchers seeking mentored development in quantitative research methods within clinical trial contexts. Applicants must be MDs, PhDs, or equivalent terminal degree holders without extensive prior independent research funding. Candidates should have a strong mentoring plan and institutional commitment.
The program requires significant mentorship from established researchers. Applicants must propose a research project using quantitative methods in clinical trials. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and visa holders employed at NIH-eligible institutions qualify.
Clinical trial experience or expertise is strongly preferred. The award supports salary, supplies, and travel for research development. This is not a pre-doctoral fellowship; candidates typically have 1-3 years post-training experience.
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Program description
The purpose of the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) is to attract to NIH-relevant research those investigators whose quantitative science and engineering research has thus far not been focused primarily on questions of health and disease. The K25 award will provide support and “protected time” for a period of supervised study and research for productive professionals with quantitative (e.g., mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, imaging science, informatics, physics, chemistry) and engineering backgrounds to integrate their expertise with NIH-relevant research.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development. Applicants not planning an independent clinical trial, or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, must apply to companion FOA.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
- Veteran (individual)
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Federal Assistance)
- Biosketch (NIH format, 5 pages)
- Research Strategy (research plan, specific aims, methods)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Mentor Statement and Mentoring Plan
- Institutional Support Letter
- Letters of Reference or Recommendation
- Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research statement
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.865 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,073,967,938
-
$719,372,575
-
$276,059,721
-
$155,556,396
-
$155,482,198
-
$103,665,364
-
$74,151,078
-
$72,701,366
-
$52,238,426
-
$47,450,377
Top States by Funding
- WA 1 awards $1,074.0M
- NC 7 awards $925.9M
- MD 4 awards $501.6M
- MA 3 awards $190.0M
- PA 3 awards $145.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.865). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,282,226,682 | |
| 2025 | $1,333,391,690 | |
| 2026 est. | $184,920,723 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Early-career researchers (MD, PhD, or equivalent) with less than 5 years independent research experience. You need a strong mentor and institutional support.
What does this award fund?
Salary, research supplies, equipment, travel, and professional development. It typically supports 3-5 years of research and mentoring.
Do I need clinical trial experience?
Not required, but strongly preferred. Your project must involve quantitative methods in a clinical trial context.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong mentor commitment, clear research plan, career development goals, and institutional resources. Diversity and innovation in research approaches strengthen applications.
What is the funding range?
Typically $150,000-$200,000 annually, depending on institutional salary scales and research needs. Total award is usually $750,000-$1,000,000 over the funding period.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure a dedicated mentor with significant NIH funding history before submitting your application.
- Clearly articulate how quantitative methods advance your clinical trial research beyond existing work.
- Include specific, measurable milestones for each year of the award period.
- Demonstrate strong institutional commitment through letters of support and resource documentation.
- Address how this award enables your transition to independent research funding.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or uncommitted mentorship plans undermine applications. Vague research goals or insufficient quantitative methodology detail leads to rejection. Overambitious timelines that don't align with development phase hurt competitiveness.
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