Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for established clinical researchers ready to lead independent patient-oriented research programs. Applicants must have MD, DDS, DVM, DO, or PhD credentials with 4-12 years of postdoctoral or clinical experience. Research must involve patient populations directly or use patient-derived materials. Clinical trials are not eligible under this particular parent announcement.
NIH typically requires applicants to demonstrate prior research productivity and mentoring capacity. Institutional support and a commitment to remain at the applicant's institution are expected. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for most NIH grants.
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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
- 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
- Form PHS 398 or SF-424 (R&R) with project narrative
- Biographical sketches (applicant and key personnel)
- Budget and budget justification
- Letters of institutional support and commitment
- Research strategy with specific aims, significance, innovation, approach
- Mentor letter (if applicable per NIH guidance)
- Appendix materials as needed for preliminary data
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.313 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$5,096,612
-
$2,994,561
-
$2,736,581
-
$2,735,186
-
$2,417,324
-
$1,332,345
-
$1,108,110
Top States by Funding
- TX 1 awards $5.1M
- GA 1 awards $3.0M
- NC 1 awards $2.7M
- MD 1 awards $2.7M
- MI 1 awards $2.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.313). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $48,892,335 | |
| 2025 | $54,230,732 | |
| 2026 est. | $52,202,393 |
FAQ
Am I eligible if I'm still in a postdoc position?
Applicants need 4-12 years of relevant research experience, typically as an independent researcher, not as a trainee.
Can my project involve a clinical trial?
No. This parent award explicitly excludes clinical trial proposals. Choose a different NIH mechanism if your research is trial-based.
What does "patient-oriented research" mean?
Research conducted with human subjects or using human materials, from design through analysis, to understand disease mechanisms or improve clinical outcomes.
How competitive is this award?
K24 awards are moderately competitive. Success rates vary by institute but typically range 20-30% across NIH.
What's the typical funding level?
K24 awards generally provide salary support plus modest research costs. Check the specific NIH institute page for exact budget ceilings.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with your track record of patient-focused research productivity and independent accomplishments since your initial training period.
- Show how you will mentor junior researchers; K24s reward investigators committed to developing the next generation.
- Clearly distinguish this research from your prior work; demonstrate intellectual independence from your postdoctoral mentors.
- Ensure your institution provides strong support letter and commitment to protected research time.
- Use the Significance and Innovation sections to explain why patient-oriented research matters and how your approach is novel.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing a clinical trial design when this parent award excludes them. Failing to demonstrate genuine independence from mentors or prior mentors' research directions. Weak or vague institutional commitment letters lacking concrete protected time pledges.
Similar grants
- OPEN Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 – Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health