Emerging Global Leader Award (K43)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 9, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for junior faculty and research scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) who are based at LMIC academic or research institutions. Applicants must conduct biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research that leverages unique LMIC opportunities and produces generalizable knowledge for U.S. and LMIC populations. Projects require mentoring from both senior U.S. and LMIC researchers and must build on existing NIH research investments.
The award provides salary support and research funding for intensive career development activities. Recipients commit to becoming research leaders at their home institutions and mentoring future investigators. International collaboration and strengthening NIH research networks are core program goals.
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Key dates
- Sep 16, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 12, 2027 Application deadline in 367 days
- Jul 6, 2028 Award announced
- Jul 6, 2028 Project start
Program description
This initiative will provide salary and research support to Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) junior faculty and research scientists who are based at LMIC academic or research institutions for intensive mentored research and career development activities focused on biomedical, behavioral, and/or clinical research in LMICs. Proposals will leverage special opportunities not present in the U.S. and result in generalizable knowledge applicable to the health of U.S. and LMIC populations. Recipients are required to receive mentoring from senior U.S. and LMIC researchers, and projects must leverage existing NIH research investments. A sustained period of research career development will enable recipients to become global research leaders at their LMIC institutions, serve as mentors to the next generation of investigators, and strengthen international networks that support NIH research investments.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH R&R SF424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Mentor Commitment Letters (U.S. and LMIC mentors)
- Biosketch of applicant
- Biosketches of mentors
- Institutional support letter/documentation
- Letters of reference
Program contact
- 👤 FIC Emerging Global Leader Career Development Program
- 📧 fic-careerdev@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.989 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$21,790,556
-
$15,921,171
-
$15,554,273
-
$15,517,760
-
$15,199,757
-
$15,185,162
-
$12,085,957
-
$11,243,790
-
$8,266,735
-
$7,737,349
Top States by Funding
- NY 12 awards $66.2M
- CA 8 awards $46.7M
- IL 5 awards $39.1M
- MA 4 awards $24.6M
- CT 3 awards $23.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.989). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $67,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $69,732,021 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,429,341 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the K43?
Junior faculty and research scientists based at academic or research institutions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. You must be affiliated with an LMIC institution, not a U.S. one.
What research areas are supported?
Biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research that leverages unique LMIC opportunities. Projects must produce knowledge applicable to both U.S. and LMIC populations.
Are mentors required?
Yes. You must receive mentoring from both a senior U.S. researcher and a senior LMIC researcher. This dual mentorship is mandatory.
Do I need to tie my work to existing NIH research?
Yes. Your project must leverage existing NIH research investments. Standalone research not connected to prior NIH-funded work is not eligible.
What does the award cover?
Salary support for the junior investigator and research costs for the project. The exact funding level varies by application and review outcome.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize how your LMIC research setting provides unique research opportunities unavailable in the U.S. Be specific about what makes your location valuable.
- Identify and lock in senior mentors—both U.S. and LMIC-based—early. Strong mentor letters are critical for competitiveness.
- Link your project explicitly to prior NIH-funded research. Show how you build on existing investments, not replace them.
- Demonstrate a clear career development trajectory. Describe how this award moves you toward research leadership in your home institution.
- Include a plan for mentoring the next generation. Show institutional commitment to building research capacity beyond your own work.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to secure committed mentors from both the U.S. and LMIC before submission. Weak mentor engagement undermines competitiveness. Submitting research disconnected from existing NIH investments. The program explicitly requires leveraging prior NIH funding. Underestimating the importance of demonstrating leadership potential. Applicants must show a credible path to becoming a research leader, not just conducting a single project.
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