Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for postdoctoral fellows and research trainees currently working in NIH intramural programs who are transitioning to independent research careers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a biomedical or clinical field. The program supports early-stage researchers in establishing independent research programs within cardiovascular and pulmonary health domains aligned with NHLBI priorities. The award covers 5 years of research funding and career development activities, though clinical trials are not eligible for this specific K22 mechanism. Applicants must secure a mentor and have institutional commitment from their receiving organization.
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Program description
To provide highly qualified postdoctoral fellows and other doctoral-level researchers currently in training in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research with the opportunity to transition their research programs to extramural institutions as junior investigators.
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
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R)
- Biographical sketch (NIH format, 5-page limit)
- Career development plan (3 pages) describing how the award enables transition to independence
- Research project narrative (15-page limit)
- Mentor statement and biographical information
- Letters of institutional support and commitment
- Budget and budget justification (5-year project period)
- Protection of human subjects documentation (if applicable)
- Research involving vertebrate animals documentation (if applicable)
- Facilities and administrative resources description
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.839 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$70,347,724
-
$28,221,244
-
$26,367,044
-
$26,196,066
-
$24,828,830
-
$22,197,349
-
$20,132,449
-
$18,556,003
-
$17,136,580
-
$16,771,574
Top States by Funding
- MA 15 awards $153.6M
- WI 6 awards $113.6M
- PA 13 awards $111.9M
- CA 9 awards $110.4M
- NY 8 awards $77.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.839). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $431,558,338 | |
| 2025 | $425,332,322 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this K22 award?
Current NIH intramural postdoctoral fellows and research trainees with a doctorate degree (PhD, MD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) in a biomedical field are eligible. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident and must be transitioning to an independent research position outside the intramural program.
What types of research projects are supported?
This award supports research that aligns with NHLBI priorities in cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this K22 mechanism. Research must represent the applicant's transition to independent scientific inquiry.
What documentation is typically required?
Standard NIH biosketch, detailed career development plan, research proposal, letters of support from mentors and institutional leadership, protection of human subjects documentation if applicable, and budget justification are typically required.
How competitive is this award?
K22 awards are moderately to highly competitive. Success requires a strong track record as a postdoctoral fellow, clear vision for independent research, and demonstrated capability to lead a research program. Study sections review research innovation and career development potential.
What is the typical funding level and project period?
This 5-year award provides salary support for the principal investigator plus research costs. Exact amounts vary based on discipline and institutional location, but total budget typically ranges from $250,000 to $500,000 across the award period.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your transition to independence: clearly articulate how this award enables you to move from postdoctoral training to an independent research position; show evidence of research productivity and leadership potential from your current role.
- Align with NHLBI priorities: review NHLBI strategic research priorities in cardiovascular and pulmonary health before writing your proposal; demonstrate how your research directly addresses agency priorities and fills a gap in the field.
- Secure strong institutional support: obtain letters from your intended mentor and institutional leadership affirming their commitment to your independence and offering resources for your research program; institutional investment strengthens your application.
- Develop a realistic and specific research plan: your project should be novel yet feasible within the 5-year timeline; avoid overly ambitious goals, and clearly separate the research you'll do versus mentor consultation you'll receive.
- Build in career development activities: use part of the award to attend conferences, develop new skills, or gain additional training relevant to your independent career; describe how these activities support your transition to research independence.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often submit research proposals that are extensions of their postdoctoral work rather than truly independent projects, signaling insufficient career transition. Many fail to adequately engage with NHLBI's cardiovascular and pulmonary health priorities, submitting proposals outside agency scope or misaligned with current funding interests. Additionally, weak institutional commitment letters or failure to secure an appropriate mentor significantly weakens competitiveness.
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