Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 – Independent Clinical Trial Required)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career to mid-career researchers who have completed their postdoctoral or clinical research training and are ready to establish independent research programs. Applicants must have a doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent) and a research plan that includes conducting or proposing an independent clinical trial. The award is intended to support researchers in their transition to independence at NIH-supported institutions. Applicants must have appropriate institutional affiliation and resources. This grant is particularly suited for researchers in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences who demonstrate significant research potential and have secured commitment from their institution. Geographic scope is nationwide for all eligible U.S. institutions and researchers. Foreign institutions may be eligible under specific conditions.
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Program description
The purpose of the NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is to foster the development of outstanding scientists and enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research. The K02 award provides three to five years of salary support and “protected time” for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers. Each independent scientist career award program must be tailored to meet the individual needs of the candidate.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
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) and associated forms
- Project Narrative (research plan, typically 15 pages including detailed clinical trial protocol)
- Biographical Sketch (NIH Form)
- Budget and Budget Justification (Form PHS 398)
- Institutional Support Letter documenting protected research time and commitment of resources
- Letters of support from non-supervisory senior mentors or colleagues
- Relevant manuscripts or preliminary data demonstrating research competence
- Human Subjects Protection documentation (IRB approval or plan for clinical trial)
- Facilities and Resources documentation
- Other Support (current and pending support disclosure)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$976,983,003
-
$204,359,786
-
$128,377,094
-
$126,585,435
-
$99,478,296
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,245,057
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,572,673
Top States by Funding
- NC 2 awards $1,006.2M
- NY 4 awards $261.1M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 4 awards $141.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
What degree do I need to be eligible for this award?
You must have a doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent) and have completed postdoctoral or clinical research training. Research experience may be counted toward meeting career stage requirements.
Is a clinical trial required?
Yes, this parent award (K02 with independent clinical trial requirement) specifically mandates that your research plan must include conducting or proposing an independent clinical trial as a major component of your research program.
What is the typical funding range for this award?
The K02 award typically provides support for up to 5 years. Specific funding levels vary by NIH institute or center, but generally include salary and research support costs. Budget negotiations occur after scientific review.
How competitive is this award?
K02 awards are highly competitive. The review process evaluates research potential, innovation, and the feasibility of your clinical trial component. Strong preliminary data and clear independence from prior mentors are critical.
What is the application deadline?
The current application deadline is May 7, 2027. Applications are due by 5:00 PM ET. Check NIH GUIDE notices for any updates on deadlines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate independence from your postdoctoral mentors while acknowledging their contributions. Show how your research direction is distinct from your prior training and builds on your own ideas.
- Develop a robust and innovative clinical trial design. The clinical trial component must be substantial and central to your proposal, not peripheral. Provide detailed timelines, recruitment strategies, and feasibility justification for your participant population.
- Secure strong institutional and senior mentor commitment. Include letters of support from your institution and mentors (non-supervisory), demonstrating that your institution provides protected research time and resources for you to establish independence.
- Provide preliminary data that demonstrates your research competence and the feasibility of your proposed clinical trial. Preliminary results give reviewers confidence in your ability to execute the proposed work.
- Address any gaps in your CV thoughtfully. If your career path is non-traditional, explain how your unique background strengthens your research program and clinical trial approach.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail when researchers inadequately justify independence from their postdoctoral mentors or propose a clinical trial that appears to be a continuation of prior work rather than their own independent contribution. Another frequent issue is underestimating the complexity of clinical trial design, budgeting, and recruitment feasibility, which reviewers scrutinize carefully. Finally, insufficient institutional commitment or lack of protected research time explicitly documented by the institution significantly weakens competitiveness.
Similar grants
- OPEN Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health