Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career clinical scientists conducting mentored research. Applicants must hold an MD, DO, DDS, DVM, or equivalent doctoral degree plus appropriate clinical training or license. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required. Applicants must commit to 75% time devoted to research. No prior independent R01 funding is allowed; mentorship by an established investigator is mandatory.
This funding supports independent basic or clinical research conducted by the applicant under mentor guidance. Awardees develop their research program while maintaining some clinical duties. Academic medical centers, hospitals, and research institutions nationwide are eligible. Awards typically support salary, research staff, equipment, and supplies.
International collaborations are permitted but may have restrictions. Applicants should verify NIH's current eligibility requirements at grants.nih.gov before submission.
Program description
The primary purpose of the NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Awards (K08) program is to prepare qualified individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation. This program represents the continuation of a long-standing NIH program that provides support and “protected time” to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience in the fields of biomedical and behavioral research, including translational research.
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)
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Federal Assistance)
- Research Strategy (Aims, Background, Methods, Expected Outcomes)
- Mentor's Biographical Sketch and Letter of Support
- Applicant's Biographical Sketch
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Support Letter
- NIH Form 1572 (if human subjects research)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.213 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$22,367,527
-
$21,646,919
-
$19,236,131
-
$17,730,528
-
$15,036,701
-
$14,473,882
-
$12,748,932
-
$11,956,053
-
$11,225,697
-
$10,919,780
Top States by Funding
- MA 13 awards $80.2M
- CA 12 awards $79.7M
- WA 8 awards $69.9M
- NC 7 awards $52.3M
- NY 6 awards $40.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.213). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $240,178,154 | |
| 2025 | $232,899,116 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,655,626 |
FAQ
Who is eligible for this K08 award?
Early-career physicians or dentists (MD, DO, DDS, DVM holders) with clinical training. You must commit 75% effort to research and have an established mentor.
When is the deadline?
The next deadline is May 24, 2026. Applications open April 24, 2024. Check NIH's website for additional annual deadlines.
What types of research are supported?
Independent basic or clinical research in biomedical or behavioral sciences. Your mentor must supervise the work, and you remain mentored (not independent principal investigator).
How competitive is this grant?
K08s are moderately competitive. Success rates vary by NIH Institute. Strong preliminary data, a clear career development plan, and an excellent mentor significantly improve chances.
What is the funding range?
K08 awards vary by institute and field. Salary support, research costs, and mentorship are typically included. Check your target institute's website for specific amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish a strong mentor-mentee relationship early. Your mentor's track record and commitment matter as much as your research proposal.
- Develop a clear independence trajectory showing how you'll transition from mentored to independent investigator within 5-7 years.
- Include strong preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of your proposed research.
- Address how you'll balance clinical duties (25%) with research commitments. Be realistic about your timeline.
- Align your research with your target NIH institute's priorities and strategic goals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak mentorship plan or mentor with insufficient time. Applicants often pick a prestigious but unavailable mentor rather than an engaged one. Vague career development goals or unclear path to independence weaken competitiveness. Overly ambitious research scope relative to career stage and available resources.
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