Forecast for NINDS Child Neurologist Career Development Program (CNCDP) (K12 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career physicians and health professionals pursuing specialization in child neurology who are committed to an academic research career. Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., or equivalent degree and be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or DACA beneficiaries. Support is provided for salary, educational expenses, and protected research time over a 3-5 year period to build an independent research program in pediatric neurology. The program is designed for individuals transitioning from clinical training into research-intensive academic positions. Eligibility typically includes recent fellowship graduates and early faculty members in academic medical institutions with mentorship and institutional support. Clinical trials are not allowed as part of the proposed research.
Key dates
- May 9, 2025 Applications open
- Sep 19, 2025 Application deadline
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to continue to support the NINDS Child Neurologist Career Development Program (CNCDP) by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for continuation of that program. The goal of the program is to expand the cadre of child neurologists trained to conduct outstanding research into neurological disorders of children, taking advantage of their clinical training and expertise. This NOFO will utilize the K12 activity code. This K12 will be housed at the PD/PI’s institution, but will support a national program, overseen by the PD/PI and a national advisory committee. For planning purposes, the general structure of the program will remain the same as described in the previous NOFO (RFA-NS-19-040; note that whereas the new NOFO will be closely based on the previous NOFO, it will not be identical). Both new and renewal applications are encouraged. A maximum of one national K12 program will be supported. Applications are not being solicited at this time. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) and Project Narrative (typically 15 pages maximum for research plan)
- Biographical Sketch (NIH format, 5 pages) for applicant and mentor(s)
- Letters of Intent and Commitment from Department Chair and Mentor(s) documenting protected research time and institutional support
- Budget and Budget Narrative justifying salary and research expenses
- Institutional certification of research support and mentor qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae or detailed biographical information
- Preliminary data or publications demonstrating research capability
- Training plan and career development plan specific to independent research goals
Program contact
- 👤 Letitia Weigand, Ph.D., Director, Office of Training & Workforce Development National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- 📧 letitia.weigand@nih.gov
- 📞 301-496-4188
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$82,572,681
-
$67,362,785
-
$62,646,087
-
$56,144,651
-
$45,268,737
-
$40,959,789
-
$35,655,349
-
$35,655,116
-
$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
Top States by Funding
- MA 6 awards $186.5M
- CA 4 awards $129.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MN 2 awards $99.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the CNCDP K12 award?
This program is designed for physicians and health professionals with M.D., D.O., or equivalent degrees in child neurology or related fields who are citizens, permanent residents, or DACA beneficiaries, and who are transitioning into academic careers with strong research potential.
What types of research activities are not allowed under this grant?
Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed. The focus must be on non-clinical-trial research including basic science, translational research, health services research, or other mechanistic studies in pediatric neurology.
What is the typical duration and support provided by this award?
Typically, K12 awards provide 3-5 years of support including protected research time (usually 75% research, 25% mentored clinical duties), salary support, and research development funds. Specific funding amounts and exact term length are determined annually.
How competitive is this program and what strengthens an application?
This is a highly competitive program. Strong applications demonstrate clear research mentorship, institutional commitment (protected time and resources), a well-defined research plan, and evidence of the applicant's potential for an independent research career in pediatric neurology.
What institution requirements must be met?
The sponsoring institution must commit to supporting the candidate with protected research time, appropriate mentorship, and research infrastructure. An experienced mentor in the candidate's field of research and an institutional research office commitment are typically required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong mentor team: Identify mentors with active NIH funding, publications in your research area, and commitment to your career development. Include specific examples of how they will guide your research trajectory.
- Emphasize protected time and institutional support: Clearly document how your institution will protect your research time (typically 75%) and provide resources, including lab space, infrastructure, and administrative support for your career development.
- Develop a feasible, well-defined research plan: Your research should be innovative but achievable within the award period. Focus on a specific problem in pediatric neurology that positions you for an independent research career. Avoid overly broad or unfocused proposals.
- Highlight your clinical training and transition to research: Use your clinical background to motivate your research questions, but demonstrate your serious commitment to becoming a research-focused academic through publications, preliminary data, and coursework in research methods if applicable.
- Address the non-clinical-trial requirement explicitly: If your research touches on clinical populations or outcomes, clearly explain why clinical trials are not the appropriate research design and how your mechanistic/translational approach advances the field differently.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often submit proposals that are too clinically focused or are de facto clinical trials, which violates the grant restrictions. Another common pitfall is insufficient evidence of institutional commitment—letters of support that lack specificity about protected time, resources, or mentor engagement are weak. Weak applications also frequently lack preliminary data or clear independence goals; the program seeks candidates building toward independent research careers, not those planning to remain primarily clinicians or dependent on a mentor indefinitely.
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