Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career physicians and health professionals pursuing independent research careers. Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent clinical degree. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident. The award supports mentored research for 5 years, developing skills toward independence. Recipients must commit to a research career and work at eligible institutions with strong mentoring support.
Applicants must not have substantial prior research funding or be in a tenured position. This is available to researchers at academic medical centers, research hospitals, and research-intensive institutions. The clinical trial requirement means your research must include a human subjects clinical trial component. Geographic scope is U.S. institutions only.
You must have a qualified mentor and institutional commitment of support. Prior postdoctoral research experience is expected. The award supports salary, research, and some administrative costs.
This grant is for early-career physicians and health professionals pursuing independent research careers. Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent clinical degree. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident. The award supports mentored research for 5 years, developing skills toward independence. Recipients must commit to a research career and work at eligible institutions with strong mentoring support.
Applicants must not have substantial prior research funding or be in a tenured position. This is available to researchers at academic medical centers, research hospitals, and research-intensive institutions. The clinical trial requirement means your research must include a human subjects clinical trial component. Geographic scope is U.S. institutions only.
You must have a qualified mentor and institutional commitment of support. Prior postdoctoral research experience is expected. The award supports salary, research, and some administrative costs.
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
Details
This grant is for early-career physicians and health professionals pursuing independent research careers. Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent clinical degree. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident. The award supports mentored research for 5 years, developing skills toward independence. Recipients must commit to a research career and work at eligible institutions with strong mentoring support.
Applicants must not have substantial prior research funding or be in a tenured position. This is available to researchers at academic medical centers, research hospitals, and research-intensive institutions. The clinical trial requirement means your research must include a human subjects clinical trial component. Geographic scope is U.S. institutions only.
You must have a qualified mentor and institutional commitment of support. Prior postdoctoral research experience is expected. The award supports salary, research, and some administrative costs.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- PHS 398 Research Plan
- Biographical Sketch (Mentor and Applicant)
- Mentor Letter of Support
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Research Design & Methods
- Clinical Trial Plan
- Letter of Recommendation (if applicable)
- SF-424 or equivalent NIH forms
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.865 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,059,454,555
-
$719,372,575
-
$276,059,721
-
$155,556,396
-
$155,482,198
-
$103,665,364
-
$74,151,078
-
$71,490,911
-
$52,238,426
-
$47,450,377
Top States by Funding
- WA 1 awards $1,059.5M
- NC 7 awards $921.5M
- MD 4 awards $493.9M
- MA 3 awards $190.0M
- PA 3 awards $145.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.865). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,282,226,682 | |
| 2025 | $1,333,391,690 | |
| 2026 est. | $184,920,723 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this K08?
You need an M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent clinical degree. You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with mentoring and research experience.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong mentors, clear research vision, institutional commitment, and evidence you'll pursue research independently. Track record of publications helps significantly.
Must my research include a clinical trial?
Yes, this K08 requires an independent clinical trial component. Your research design must include direct human subject participation.
What are typical funding amounts?
K08 awards typically provide $75,000-$150,000 annually for 5 years, covering salary, research, and other expenses.
When are deadlines?
This grant has fixed deadlines. Check NIH.gov for exact dates, typically 3-4 times per year.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Invest heavily in your mentor relationship. Their letters and commitment matter more than most other application elements.
- Write a specific, achievable research plan. Show how this award bridges your current work to research independence.
- Document protected research time clearly. Your institution must commit at least 20% effort to your research.
- Address clinical trial feasibility early. Detail patient recruitment, retention, and timeline realistically.
- Start mentor conversations 6+ months before deadline. Their support is mandatory, not optional.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear research independence goals or unrealistic 5-year trajectory. Weak mentor commitment or absence of meaningful mentor-mentee plan. Underdeveloped clinical trial design with insufficient feasibility evidence.
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