Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award (KC1)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for clinician research scientists pursuing research independence with professional support. Applicants must hold a clinical doctoral degree (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, or equivalent). The award provides up to five years of protected research time with mentorship from an experienced researcher.
Organizations must be domestic research institutions with institutional support for the project. Mentors and institutional infrastructure must meet NIH standards. Foreign institutions are not eligible for this award.
This is a career development award for early-stage clinician-researchers. It supports salary, protected time, and research activities. Renewal or extension is not typically possible after the award period concludes.
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Key dates
- Aug 13, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 12, 2027 Application deadline in 357 days
- Jul 1, 2028 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award provides support to clinician research scientists for a sustained period of protected time (up to five years) for intensive research career development under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The award is intended to prepare candidates with clinical doctoral degrees for future research independence.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424)
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Biographical Sketch (mentor and candidate)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Mentor Letter of Support
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Facilities and Resources Description
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
-
$49,744,439
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$34,621,574
-
$33,491,440
-
$32,769,976
-
$32,623,202
-
$31,997,307
-
$31,263,603
-
$29,228,555
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$29,027,951
Top States by Funding
- NC 11 awards $374.6M
- NY 11 awards $190.4M
- 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 is eligible to apply?
Applicants must hold a clinical doctorate (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) and be at an early career stage. Your institution must be a domestic research organization with NIH funding capability.
What is the typical award duration?
The award provides up to five years of protected research time and career development support. Most awards are structured as single, non-renewable grants.
What can I use grant funds for?
Funds support candidate salary, research activities, mentorship, and institutional support for protected research time. Budget typically includes salary, supplies, travel, and institutional costs.
How competitive is this award?
This is a highly competitive career development award from NIH. Strong mentorship, feasible research plan, and clear institutional commitment are critical factors.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 12, 2027. Standard NIH application procedures and timelines apply.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure a committed, experienced mentor before you apply. Your mentor's track record and involvement are essential for competitiveness.
- Demonstrate protected time commitment from your institution. Show clear, documented institutional support for your research leave.
- Develop a focused, feasible research plan for five years. Avoid overly ambitious scope; reviewers assess what you can actually accomplish.
- Build on your clinical expertise in your research proposal. Explain how your clinical training informs your research direction.
- Start the application process early and involve your mentor, IRO, and institutional grants office in planning.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without a strong mentor commitment or unclear mentor role. Underestimating timeline for IRB/IACUC approval or lacking preliminary data. Proposing research scope unrealistic for five years with protected time constraints.
Similar grants
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- OPEN Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 – Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Institutional Mentored Career Development Award (Parent K12) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health