Mentored Career Transition Award (KT1/R00)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for postdoctoral researchers preparing to transition to independent faculty positions. Applicants must be in mentored postdoctoral research positions at the time of application. The award supports a 1-2 year mentored phase followed by up to 3 years of independent research funding. U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents at NIH-eligible institutions are typically eligible. Foreign nationals with valid visas may be eligible depending on institutional sponsorship.
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Key dates
- Aug 13, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 12, 2027 Application deadline in 399 days
- Jul 1, 2028 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The biphasic award will provide up to 5 years of support in two phases. The initial, mentored career development phase will provide 1-2 years of support for needed career development to facilitate a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from their mentored postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty positions. The second phase will provide up to 3 years of independent research support, contingent on satisfactory progress during the first phase and an approved, independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Biographical Sketch
- Mentoring Plan
- Letter of Support from Mentor
- Institutional Commitment Statement
- Budget and Budget Justification
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Biomedical Research Workforce
- 📧 NIHTrain@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via email
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.113 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$200,640,187
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$49,744,439
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$34,621,574
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$33,491,440
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$32,769,976
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$32,623,202
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$31,997,307
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$31,263,603
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$29,228,555
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$29,027,951
Top States by Funding
- NC 11 awards $374.6M
- NY 11 awards $188.2M
- CA 8 awards $121.7M
- MA 5 awards $53.1M
- WA 3 awards $49.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.113). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $445,816,844 | |
| 2025 | $465,862,818 | |
| 2026 est. | $40,301,265 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Postdoctoral researchers in mentored positions seeking transition to independent faculty roles. U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents are typically eligible.
What is the timeline for this award?
The grant provides up to 5 years total: 1-2 years in a mentored phase, then up to 3 years of independent research support.
What activities does this grant support?
Career development during the mentored phase, then independent research activities upon transition to faculty position.
How competitive is this award?
This is a highly competitive NIH career development award. Strong preliminary data and a credible mentor-mentee relationship are essential.
What's the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary by field and institution. Contact your NIH program officer for typical funding levels in your discipline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong relationship with your mentor before applying; clear mentorship plans are critical.
- Document your preliminary data and research accomplishments thoroughly during the mentored phase.
- Clearly articulate your path to independence and how this award bridges that transition.
- Engage your institutional research office early; they can advise on NIH submission requirements and institutional resources.
- Review recent successful applications in your field to understand competitive research narratives.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak mentor engagement or unclear mentorship plan. Insufficient preliminary data or unclear research independence strategy. Vague career development goals that don't demonstrate readiness for faculty transition.
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