Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Clinical Trial Required)
Can you apply?
This grant is for postdoctoral fellows and research trainees transitioning from NIH intramural positions to independent careers. Applicants must have completed or be near completion of an NIH intramural fellowship or traineeship. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
The award supports the transition period between postdoctoral training and independent research positions. It funds salary and research costs for early-stage independent investigators establishing their own research programs.
Applicants must have a specified commitment or offer for an independent research position at an eligible institution. The institution must commit to supporting the fellow's transition to research independence.
This grant is for postdoctoral fellows and research trainees transitioning from NIH intramural positions to independent careers. Applicants must have completed or be near completion of an NIH intramural fellowship or traineeship. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
The award supports the transition period between postdoctoral training and independent research positions. It funds salary and research costs for early-stage independent investigators establishing their own research programs.
Applicants must have a specified commitment or offer for an independent research position at an eligible institution. The institution must commit to supporting the fellow's transition to research independence.
Program description
The purpose of the NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) program is to provide highly qualified postdoctoral fellows in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research the opportunity to transition their research programs as new investigators to extramural institutions. To achieve these objectives, the NHLBI Career Transition Award will support two phases of research: a mentored intramural phase (up to two years) and an extramural phase (three years), for a total of five years of combined support. Transition from the intramural phase of support to the extramural phase is not automatic. Approval of the transition will be based on the success of the awardee’s research program during the mentored phase as determined by an NHLBI progress review, which will include an evaluation of a research plan to be carried out at the extramural institution.
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 postdoctoral fellows and research trainees transitioning from NIH intramural positions to independent careers. Applicants must have completed or be near completion of an NIH intramural fellowship or traineeship. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
The award supports the transition period between postdoctoral training and independent research positions. It funds salary and research costs for early-stage independent investigators establishing their own research programs.
Applicants must have a specified commitment or offer for an independent research position at an eligible institution. The institution must commit to supporting the fellow's transition to research independence.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R)
- Research Plan (Specific Aims, Research Design, Clinical Trial details)
- Biosketch (current CV format)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Letters of Support from mentors and collaborators
- CITI Training Certification (if clinical trial)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.838 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$64,183,283
-
$53,344,199
-
$43,989,024
-
$38,428,037
-
$34,243,478
-
$27,859,190
-
$26,861,834
-
$26,624,924
-
$26,063,829
-
$25,153,102
Top States by Funding
- MA 14 awards $246.0M
- CA 15 awards $199.1M
- CO 8 awards $139.0M
- IL 7 awards $107.8M
- NC 4 awards $95.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.838). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $760,925,134 | |
| 2025 | $789,408,855 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Postdoctoral fellows and research trainees completing NIH intramural positions. You must have a commitment to an independent research position.
What institutions can host K22 award recipients?
Eligible research institutions include universities, medical schools, and research hospitals. The host institution must demonstrate capacity to support your independent research.
Is clinical trial experience required?
Yes, this variant requires or plans substantial clinical trial involvement in the proposed research.
How competitive are these awards?
K22 awards are moderately competitive. Success typically requires strong preliminary data and clear independence plan.
What is the typical funding range?
K22 awards typically provide $100,000-$150,000 annually for salary and research support over 5 years.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building your independent research plan during intramural training. Document preliminary findings now.
- Secure written commitment from your host institution early. Include details on mentorship, space, and resources.
- Emphasize transition to independence. Show how you will establish your own research direction distinct from postdoctoral mentor.
- Develop a rigorous clinical trial design if proposing clinical research. Include statistical power calculations and recruitment strategies.
- Address how your intramural experience prepares you for independence. Highlight unique skills or datasets you'll leverage.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear transition to independence. Applicants often propose work too similar to their postdoctoral mentor's research.
Weak or missing institutional commitment. Host institution letter must specify dedicated resources and mentorship structure.
Inadequate preliminary data for clinical trial component. Competitive applications demonstrate feasibility of proposed trial design and recruitment.
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