Academic Leadership Career Award (K07 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic researchers and healthcare professionals seeking to develop into independent investigators focused on aging research. Applicants must have a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) and be in an early-stage career, typically within the first 5 years of their independent research appointment. The award is limited to U.S. institutions, including universities, medical schools, and research hospitals. Activities supported include protected research and career development time, allowing awardees to establish their own research programs in gerontology and aging-related topics while maintaining some academic responsibilities. Independent clinical trials are explicitly not permitted under this award mechanism.
This grant is for academic researchers and healthcare professionals seeking to develop into independent investigators focused on aging research. Applicants must have a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) and be in an early-stage career, typically within the first 5 years of their independent research appointment. The award is limited to U.S. institutions, including universities, medical schools, and research hospitals. Activities supported include protected research and career development time, allowing awardees to establish their own research programs in gerontology and aging-related topics while maintaining some academic responsibilities. Independent clinical trials are explicitly not permitted under this award mechanism.
Program description
The objective of the NIA Academic Leadership Career Award (K07) is to provide support for established investigators who have the expertise and leadership skills to enhance aging and/or Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias (ADRD)research capacity within their academic institution.
Through this award, investigators will endeavor to develop research and educational infrastructure, mentorship, and career development activities in support of new or emerging areas of aging and/or AD/ADRDresearch. These may include, but are not limited to, courses, curricula, research support, pilot funding, travel awards, visiting scholars, or networks.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- 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 academic researchers and healthcare professionals seeking to develop into independent investigators focused on aging research. Applicants must have a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) and be in an early-stage career, typically within the first 5 years of their independent research appointment. The award is limited to U.S. institutions, including universities, medical schools, and research hospitals. Activities supported include protected research and career development time, allowing awardees to establish their own research programs in gerontology and aging-related topics while maintaining some academic responsibilities. Independent clinical trials are explicitly not permitted under this award mechanism.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424 R&R)
- Project Narrative (Research Plan) describing the aging research program
- Biographical Sketch for applicant and mentors
- Budget and Budget Justification (5-year period)
- Institutional Commitment Letter (showing protected time, space, resources)
- Letters of Support from mentors/advisors
- Facilities and Equipment description
- Research Support/Previous Awards summary
- Career Development Plan
- Mentor commitment letters with their biographical sketches
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$463,372,200
-
$172,327,224
-
$115,145,694
-
$99,649,073
-
$93,275,174
-
$78,657,309
-
$75,825,492
-
$75,398,895
-
$70,985,470
-
$64,812,576
Top States by Funding
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- CA 8 awards $511.1M
- MO 8 awards $437.0M
- IN 4 awards $303.9M
- PA 6 awards $298.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the NIA Academic Leadership Career Award?
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent), be in their early career (typically within 5 years of first independent position), and be affiliated with a U.S. research institution. Foreign nationals on appropriate visas may be eligible if affiliated with a U.S. institution.
What types of research projects are supported?
Projects focused on aging and gerontology research are supported. This includes basic science, translational research, and observational clinical studies. However, independent clinical trials are not permitted; such work requires alternative funding mechanisms.
What is the timeline for this award?
Applications opened November 6, 2024, with a fixed deadline of November 12, 2027. Award duration is typically 5 years of protected time and funding.
How competitive is this funding mechanism?
K07 career development awards are moderately to highly competitive. Success requires a strong track record of research productivity, a feasible but significant research plan, and institutional commitment to career development.
What funding levels should I expect?
K07 awards typically provide salary support, research support, and mentoring costs. Exact amounts vary but generally range from $75,000-$150,000 per year depending on institutional factors and research needs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure strong institutional commitment: obtain letters of support from department leadership and mentoring team showing concrete protected time, space, and resources for your research program.
- Develop a feasible but significant research agenda: demonstrate how your proposed research builds on your prior work while establishing independence from former mentors; avoid overly ambitious plans.
- Emphasize aging relevance: clearly articulate how your research addresses key questions in gerontology and relates to NIA's strategic research priorities.
- Highlight mentoring and career development: describe your advisory committee, career development plan, and how you will transition to full independence by the award end.
- Avoid clinical trial designs: ensure your proposed studies do not constitute independent clinical trials, as these are not supported under K07; consider observational or translational approaches instead.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications commonly fail when institutions provide insufficient protected time or when the mentoring plan lacks detail and credibility. Applicants often propose research that is either too dependent on prior mentors' work or so ambitious that it raises feasibility concerns. Studies designed as independent clinical trials cannot be funded under this mechanism and result in immediate ineligibility.
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