Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 – Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Can you apply?
This grant is for experienced, research-active investigators seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators in patient-oriented clinical research. Applicants typically hold an M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or equivalent degree and must demonstrate a sustained commitment to mentoring junior researchers. This award supports investigators who are transitioning toward research independence or expanding their research portfolios. The program is open to researchers at domestic U.S. institutions, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research centers. Activities supported include conducting original patient-oriented research, mentoring junior researchers and clinical research scholars, developing new patient-oriented research methodologies, and building research teams. Recipients must commit significant effort to both independent research and mentoring activities. This is a mid-career development award aimed at clinicians and clinical scientists pursuing human subjects research.
Program description
The purpose of the NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) is to provide support to mid-career health-professional doctorates for protected time to devote to patient-oriented research (POR) and to act as research mentors primarily for clinical residents, clinical fellows and/or junior clinical faculty.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Hospital
- 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
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form (NIH Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative (Research Strategy section addressing significance, innovation, and approach)
- Research plan with specific aims
- Mentoring plan with evidence of past mentoring experience
- Biosketch (NIH format) for the applicant
- Biosketches for mentors/collaborators
- Current and pending support documentation
- Letters of institutional support
- Budget and budget justification
- Letters of support from mentees (when applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.273 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$125,900,663
-
$34,675,742
-
$34,469,501
-
$33,261,336
-
$32,897,567
-
$31,652,514
-
$30,394,602
-
$29,223,384
-
$29,168,993
-
$28,833,935
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $238.5M
- NY 3 awards $162.6M
- OR 7 awards $95.2M
- NC 4 awards $66.5M
- IN 3 awards $57.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.273). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $430,377,419 | |
| 2025 | $429,906,735 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,401,560 |
FAQ
What is the main purpose of the K24 Midcareer Investigator Award?
The K24 supports established investigators in making the transition to research independence in patient-oriented research and mentoring the next generation of clinical researchers.
What research activities are supported?
The program supports original patient-oriented research, clinical research methodology development, research team building, and substantial mentoring of junior researchers and clinical research trainees.
Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers with M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or equivalent degrees who are clinically active and demonstrate prior research productivity and sustained commitment to mentoring. Applicants should be mid-career and at U.S. domestic institutions.
How competitive is this award?
K24 awards are highly competitive. Success typically requires a strong track record of research publications, evidence of research independence, demonstrated mentoring experience, and a clear research vision. Prior NIH funding support strengthens applications.
What is the typical award amount and duration?
K24 awards typically provide salary support and research support over a five-year funding period. Consult the specific funding announcement for exact amounts and current rates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate research independence: Show that you have led your own research program and are not primarily reliant on a senior mentor's funding or direction.
- Emphasize mentoring accomplishments: Document past and planned mentoring activities with specific examples of mentees' career advancement and research productivity.
- Connect research to patient care: Ensure your research questions are directly relevant to clinical practice and patient outcomes, not purely bench-based science.
- Develop a focused research program: Present a coherent, multi-year research strategy that shows intellectual progression and specific aims for the award period.
- Identify strong institutional support: Demonstrate your institution's commitment to your research and mentoring mission through letters of support and institutional resources.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications are frequently rejected when investigators fail to clearly demonstrate research independence or when the research is primarily basic science rather than patient-oriented research. Another common pitfall is insufficient detail on the mentoring plan—reviewers want evidence of past mentoring success and concrete plans for supporting junior researchers during the award period. Applications that lack a coherent, focused research program or fail to connect proposed research to specific clinical outcomes often score poorly.
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